You are actually authentic already.
How could you be anything but?
Words can be misleading,
pointing you
to your “authentic” self,
when all you need realize
is your “actual” self.
Authenticity implies
that there is a genuine you
and a non-genuine you.
In actuality,
there is only one you,
which is the you
that you are already.
Imagining otherwise.
2/14
Trail Wood
The Oneness of Self
In the vast expanse of consciousness, the journey towards authenticity is often depicted as a quest for a hidden treasure, a genuine self that lies buried beneath layers of societal expectations and personal doubts. Yet, this perspective, intriguing as it may be, overlooks a fundamental truth: the unity and singularity of our existence. The notion that we must strive to become authentic suggests a duality within us, a division between a ‘true’ self and an ‘artificial’ self. However, this duality is a mirage, for in the depths of our being, there is no separation—there is only the essence of who we are, inherent and indivisible.
The Misleading Quest for Authenticity
The quest for authenticity, while well-intentioned, can sometimes lead us astray, entangling us in an endless pursuit of an idealized version of ourselves. This journey, fueled by the belief in a ‘genuine’ versus ‘non-genuine’ self, can divert us from the realization that authenticity is not a destination to be reached but a truth to be acknowledged. The very act of searching for our authentic self outside of our actual experiences suggests a rejection of our present reality, a denial of the completeness that already exists within us.
The Simplicity of Being
In recognizing that we are “actually authentic already,” we embrace the simplicity and wholeness of our being. This realization liberates us from the pursuit of becoming and allows us to simply be. It acknowledges that every thought, feeling, and action, regardless of how aligned it may seem with external definitions of authenticity, is a genuine expression of our existence. There is profound freedom in understanding that authenticity is not a quality to be cultivated but a truth to be accepted.
The Illusion of Dual Selves
The concept of having a genuine and a non-genuine self is an illusion, a construct that fragments our perception of selfhood. In actuality, the myriad facets of our personality, including our contradictions and complexities, contribute to the rich tapestry of our identity. To deny any aspect of this wholeness in the pursuit of an ‘authentic’ self is to deny the fullness of our humanity. Embracing our actual self means acknowledging the beauty in our imperfections, the strength in our vulnerabilities, and the authenticity in our evolution.
Embracing the Actual Self
The journey towards self-realization is not about unearthing a hidden authentic self but about peeling away the layers of judgment and expectation that cloud our perception. It is about seeing ourselves with clarity and compassion, recognizing that authenticity is inherent in our being. This shift in perspective encourages us to live with integrity, not by adhering to external standards of authenticity, but by honoring our truth in each moment, however it may manifest.
Summary
The exploration of authenticity reveals that the distinction between a ‘genuine’ and ‘non-genuine’ self is a misleading dichotomy. In actuality, we are complete and authentic from the outset, with our experiences and expressions forming the singular reality of our existence. Recognizing that we are “actually authentic already” invites us to embrace our actual self, acknowledging that authenticity is not a state to be achieved but a fundamental aspect of our being. This understanding allows us to navigate life with a sense of wholeness and integrity, grounded in the acceptance of our inherent authenticity.
Glossarium
- Authenticity: The quality of being genuine or true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.
- Consciousness: The state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings and inner experiences.
- Duality: The division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasted aspects.
- Self-Realization: The fulfillment of one’s own potential or the awareness of one’s true self.
- Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” – William Shakespeare
In the mirror of the world, we seek,
For the authentic, the true, the unique.
Yet in our search, what do we find?
But the self we’ve had, all this time.
No dual selves, no masks to wear,
Just one essence, raw and bare.
Actually authentic, inherently complete,
In our actual self, authenticity we meet.
No need to search, no need to roam,
Authenticity resides in our existential home.
For in being, in living, in loving, in strife,
We are authentically woven into the fabric of life.
We are Space Monkey.
How do you embrace your actual self in the journey of life, recognizing the inherent authenticity within you?
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