your authentic self

Did you know that being authentic can be considered a part of wellness? Really. I have struggled a great deal with this in the past, though I am finally moving past my fears. Stifling my authentic self led to weight gain, a weak throat chakra (well, I guess it could work both ways - either the weak throat chakra led to the stifling, or the stifling led to the weak throat chakra), and lots of resentment - none of which are conducive to wellness.

Are you your authentic self? If not, can you see any ways in which this might affect your health?

Comments

[Toni]

What's a weak throat chakra? Are any of us really our authentic selves? I think I'm one person at work, a different person wth family, someone different with friends. I think I'm just guarded in general, not with my family, but everywhere else. Although just writing that statement is pretty unguarded for me. :)

[Elizabeth]

Hi, Toni. I think you can be authentic and be guarded - it just means that you don't share all of yourself with everyone. I think we all do that to some extent. I was thinking less of being guarded and more of not expressing (at all) parts of myself. But I guess it's a slim distinction. :)

The throat chakra is the energy center for communication. If it's weak, it means that the energy is blocked or stagnant ..

[Julie M]

I think that's interesting~ wellness being tied to being authentic.

I think I'm learning to show my authentic self a little more but I could still use some help in that area!

[Mella]

This is my favorite topic... thanks for this lovely post, Elizabeth.

On my own journey toward authenticity, after coming to a life-changing understanding of my inherent trait of a high level of sensitivity, I encountered a brave woman named Linda Kohanov, and one of her books 'Riding Between the Worlds'. Before both of these fabulous women, I discovered Rosen Method bodywork, which initially cracked open some of my 'body armor' in the most loving, gentle way.

I have spent time with Marion herself (96 years young and still practicing!) and I also had the opportunity to attend a intro workshop with Linda and some of her students, and spending time with Linda brought such truth to her teachings - she is genuine and real, and of course authentic. It also helped me understand my attraction to horses... they are the most truthful reflection of our authenticity, and without judgment.

I have definitely experienced how my body (my friend) has tried to get my attention to let me know I had blockage in my second chakra (dwelling place of the self) - first in subtle ways like PMS, then with a large fibroid in my uterus. This has been one of the best learning processes for me in getting better at taking care of my true self, and re-examining how I am be-ing, and what I am creating by suppressing my creative expression. Acupuncture has helped a great deal in recent months also, as I aim to live in greater Flo (what I named my fibroid) with life.

Discovering and working on accepting myself through what these three women have dared to share with the world has inspired me deeply to live my own life in a more authentic way - I am certainly a work in progress, but I am finally accepting that each of us has something special to bring forward in our own unique way... and the challenge is finding a way to let it out and InJoy the ride!

If you're interested...
http://www.hsperson.com/
http://taoofequus.com/
http://www.rosenmethod.org/