The Healing Power of Authenticity: Finding your True Path

Who are You?….
Let’s repeat the question: Who are You…Truly?
Are you your name?, Are you your culture?, Are you your Spiritual Beliefs?, Are you your
thoughts?…
Or perhaps, You are the one under all those layers, upon layers of societal conditioning?
Modern life is filled with the hustle and bustle of noise and distractions. We learnt to wear masks that help us survive all society’s expectations and in the process we loose sight of our Authentic Self, who We Truly Are.
And there is a dire cost we pay for our lack of Authenticity- it can lead to illness and disease.
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In the next section, we will explore the profound connection between Authenticity and Well-Being and why finding your True Self is vital to find your True Path in this journey we call Life.

The Hidden Toll of Inauthenticity

Living a life that doesn’t align with your True Self is living a live of constant conflict. A part o us tells us we need to conform to what we have been told so we can survive society’s expectations of us.
We will get the approval and validation we belief we need from “outside” sources (eg. parents, teachers, boss, friends, espouse, etc). But another part of us knows who we really are. It knows our worth, our true dreams and passions, our talents and gifts, our inner potential and gently pushes us to follow that path.

This conflict creates a breeding ground for mental and physical health issues. Here’s how:

1- Stress and Emotional Strain: When we work very hard to constantly pretend to be someone we are not, this puts immense pressure on our emotional well-being. We are not robots, we are made of feelings and emotions and trying to suppress them and pretend they are not there can lead to tremendous emotional strain and chronic stress, which in turn, weakens our immune system and contributes to various health problems.
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2- Disconnection from Self: Inauthenticity feels as being disconnected from ourselves. It’s like living in a stranger’s body. This can lead to depression, anxiety, loneliness and lack of purpose.

3- Physical Health implications: We like it or not, the mind and the body are interconnected.
Studies have shown again and again that chronic emotional stress can lead to physical health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive issues and a weaken immune defence system which can make us susceptible to illness.

The impact of finding your True Path:

When we start our journey towards authenticity, many of us have gone through what is being called “the Dark Night of the Soul”. In the mist of despair we have asked ourselves “Is it there another way?”.

This very question sparks the search of our True Path and our True Purpose in life. We embark in a journey “inwards” realising that all approval and validation cannot come from “outside” sources.

This is a journey of Self-Reflection and discovery to uncover our true desires, our true dreams and values, what makes us “zing”. It’s a journey to discover our true value and worth.

Discovering and embracing who we truly are comes with many rewards:

1-Improved Mental Health: Living authentically helps us to experience our alignment with our Self, this brings a sense of Peace and balance that alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety, leading to better mental health.

2- Enhanced Physical Well-Being: Authentic living can boost your immune system and overall physical health. When we are true to ourselves we are less likely to feel the conflict within and the side effects of chronic stress.

3- A sense of fulfillment and purpose: Discovering your authentic path is like discovering your North Star. It will guide you from within throughout life’s challenges and will always bring you to the right port.

What Steps we need to take towards Authentic Living:

Self-Reflection: Spend time with yourself in a peaceful place. Take time to reflect on what is important for you (not for the others…but for You).
Shed the masks: Start peeling away the layers of conditioning and inauthenticity that you have been building for years. Many of the beliefs you created are not supporting you any more. Let them go.
Seek Support: It’s ok to reach out and seek the help from a therapist or counsellor to navigate the complexities of authenticity.
Embrace Change: Living Authentically might require profound changes in your life and the
perspectives we have about things. Embrace them and be open to all the possibilities and new opportunities they can bring.

Living Authentically is not always easy. It requires courage and patience, determination and
perseverance and loads of Self-Reflection. However the rewards of living in alignment with your True Path and purpose are immeasurable. It’s a journey that can lead to healing, not just on the emotional and spiritual sense, but also in the physical realm.

So, take that first step towards Authenticity and start on the path to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Your Well-Being depends on it.