Authenticity is often described as the state of being true to oneself, but it goes beyond just embracing one's personality traits and emotions. Rather, it's about discovering one's true self, which is often obscured by layers of conditioning, fears, and limiting beliefs.
As the spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle explains, "Authenticity is the degree to which you are true to your own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures." This means being willing to let go of societal expectations and instead embrace the unique qualities that make us who we are.
However, this can be a challenging process, as it requires us to confront and let go of the limiting beliefs and patterns that we have internalized over time. As author and speaker Brené Brown notes, "Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen."
Authenticity also involves a willingness to confront and overcome our fears and insecurities. As spiritual teacher Mooji notes, "To be authentic means to embrace your fears and stand in the midst of them. It means to stay connected to your deepest truth, even when everything around you is telling you to be someone else."
Ultimately, the journey towards authenticity is a path of self-discovery, where we uncover our true nature beyond the level of our thoughts, emotions, and ego. As the poet Rumi reminds us, "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."