“authenticity” is a bit of a buzz word in spiritual communities. Let’s dig into it.
The striving to be “our true selves” – lends to the next question: Which self? There is no stability in the realm of personality, so our emotions, judgements, desires, impulses, or beliefs – these do not make up the Self. In this personal dimension, there is really no self which can be true. These characteristics are always shifting and changing with our human condition. It’s looking for stability in the impermanent.
Lional Trilling, a literary critic from the 70s, has a quote that helped me see of the word authenticity in a different light. Trilling said: “the word “authenticity” has become part of the moral slang of our day and points to the peculiar nature of our fallen condition, our anxiety over credibility of existence and of individual experiences.” This makes me think of Asmita – ego – fear of not being separate. The idea that we must prove our individuality, our goodness. We must be the *most* authentic. We must care the *least* what others think.
It’s so easy for the ego to try to hold onto pieces of the human experience and set them into stone as “who we are”.
Whenever I feel trapped by the need to be different or separate - I call forward a letter of advice written by Ram Dass. I hope it offers you comfort like it has me 🤍
More at my new yoga account for my new business 🥹 Instagram.com/sunbeamyogacollective
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