Great post🙌🏼 You asked “So what are some of the main ways people tend to be unwittingly inauthentic?” And my answer is basically the same as yours: when they identify with their ego.
Or, to put it in your words, “When they identify with a role - like a job or being a parent or ‘adult’ - and act through that lens”. Because the ego is nothing but a role we play, it‘s not our authentically self. And as soon as we start acting through the lens of the ego, we become nothing but inauthentic. That‘s why your daughter is the most authentic person you know - because she hasn‘t identified with the ego yet. She is complete awareness.
Children's innocence is lovely to behold. Utterly endearing.
On reading your piece, some lines from Yeats came to mind--interestingly, the same lines I thought of two weeks ago when I saw that you had interviewed Rupert Spira and Francis Lucille:
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity
Naturally, an adult cannot maintain the innocence of a child. Even if it were possible, it would be unworkable and unwise. But the best who "lack all conviction" still manifest a lovely native innocence in adult form.
Nisargadatta put it this way:
Stay without ambition, without the least desire, exposed, vulnerable, unprotected, uncertain and alone, completely open to and welcoming life as it happens, without the selfish conviction that all must yield you pleasure or profit, material or so- called spiritual.
Thank you, Simon. After hearing aspects of your point of view, I feel pleased that you invited me to an interview. There is much we could discuss on this theme and others.
Unfortunately we learn too young that authenticity isn’t a great social survival tool. When we get punished too many times whether by being admonished by our elders or ostracized by our peers, we learn quickly that inauthenticity I.e. projecting what others want to see, is a sure fire strategy for getting the things we want and need.
It’s only later in life that we learn that getting the things we want and need keep us alive but barely living. We then learn that authenticity is worth risking the strength of the pack and the safety of the fold and even the security of our lives. By then we have developed the tools, the skills, the confidence and the presence of mind to know that no matter what life throws our way we will be ok. That kind of courage though is hard won.
Great post🙌🏼 You asked “So what are some of the main ways people tend to be unwittingly inauthentic?” And my answer is basically the same as yours: when they identify with their ego.
Or, to put it in your words, “When they identify with a role - like a job or being a parent or ‘adult’ - and act through that lens”. Because the ego is nothing but a role we play, it‘s not our authentically self. And as soon as we start acting through the lens of the ego, we become nothing but inauthentic. That‘s why your daughter is the most authentic person you know - because she hasn‘t identified with the ego yet. She is complete awareness.
Exactly! That’s a mic drop comment right there. Thank you Jana 💫👶🏼🙏
Children's innocence is lovely to behold. Utterly endearing.
On reading your piece, some lines from Yeats came to mind--interestingly, the same lines I thought of two weeks ago when I saw that you had interviewed Rupert Spira and Francis Lucille:
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity
Naturally, an adult cannot maintain the innocence of a child. Even if it were possible, it would be unworkable and unwise. But the best who "lack all conviction" still manifest a lovely native innocence in adult form.
Nisargadatta put it this way:
Stay without ambition, without the least desire, exposed, vulnerable, unprotected, uncertain and alone, completely open to and welcoming life as it happens, without the selfish conviction that all must yield you pleasure or profit, material or so- called spiritual.
Beautiful words Robert, as always. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Simon. After hearing aspects of your point of view, I feel pleased that you invited me to an interview. There is much we could discuss on this theme and others.
Looking forward to it! Our exchanges have already given me valuable pause for thought.
Unfortunately we learn too young that authenticity isn’t a great social survival tool. When we get punished too many times whether by being admonished by our elders or ostracized by our peers, we learn quickly that inauthenticity I.e. projecting what others want to see, is a sure fire strategy for getting the things we want and need.
It’s only later in life that we learn that getting the things we want and need keep us alive but barely living. We then learn that authenticity is worth risking the strength of the pack and the safety of the fold and even the security of our lives. By then we have developed the tools, the skills, the confidence and the presence of mind to know that no matter what life throws our way we will be ok. That kind of courage though is hard won.