… our battle cry for authenticity and the ideas it creates about who we are can sometimes serve to guard us against vulnerability. These places we call “in-authenticity” may just be the edges, or the uncharted territories, of who we consider ourselves to be. Consciously going to the edges of what we feel is “authentic” may actually be an opening to increased possibilities…
– necessary shenanigans, “the practice of play” –
But… pushing those edges, lines, uncharted territory can result in those lines – and the unexplored horizons – growing, more dangerous to self. And when is that point of no return of non-vulnerability (which is different than invulnerability, mind you) breached? Do we fear and desire it both?
Crossing a line, even if it’s of our own making, is a kind of transgression against what we think we know/ trust/ cherish… even if that thing is denial. So, in a way, we betray ourselves when we say we strive to be authentic because we are challenging core beliefs and values that we’ve built our whole identity and worth around. When we enter the unknown, it feels dangerous because we don’t know if the final outcome will be our ultimate survival or death…
I wonder if recognizing when we are reaching the point-of-no-return is less about measuring vulnerability and more about being conscious about the way we fuel the various facades of our inauthentic self? i.e.: making choices an extrovert would make even though you’ve always been an introvert.
I will ponder more but I like your query, Dave – it’s interesting. I always value your unique perspective and willingness to talk below the surface of an idea, feeling, and experience. So happy to meet your brain. 🙂
xo