Presence Creates Authenticity

your true self is not discovered, it's built

Wait, let’s back up. For much of human history meaning came from outside ourselves - a virtuous life was one well-lived. Human identity came from where we belonged - religion, family, tradition. Harmony with the tribe was what created better survival. As we evolved, reason became the new authority - “think for yourself!” Autonomy was born and if you had the time to think about things and yourself that was where you’d find truth. Then the inner self became sacred. Cold rationality felt incomplete and self-expression was born. The foundation for authenticity was laid and living in accordance with your true self was the ideal.

But where does the self come from? As philosophers searched their psyche and culture they emerged thinking ther eis no built-in meaning to life. Unless we want to fall back on prior, “easier,” paths like religion or tradition we must create our own meaning through our choices. Authenticity, at this level, means living consciously and recognizing the connection between what we do and how our life unfolds.

I never felt a built-in meaning to life. I tried on different roles, studied religion, but never found anything I could hang my identity on. I read about journeys to find yourself and they sounded really boring and useless. “I can’t find myself under a rock,” I thought, “I will find myself out in the world.” Luckily for me there was never a ton of pressure to belong to something. Many people are not so lucky and are forced into their identity. Western society, in general, has seen religion weaken, traditions broken, and individuality explode. Authenticity has evolved. It’s no longer just living consciously, it’s our moral compass. Are you being the real you or a fake version of you? The internet has accelerated this and bots have sent it to the moon. Perceived realness is actual currency and influencers are professionals.

I think The Puzzle is an evolution of true self. I don’t believe you can discover your true self on a retreat or through a workshop. I believe your true self is constructed through presence and connection. Self-reflection helps us see what we’re building and build in the right areas. Authenticity isn’t a state of yourself, it’s emergent. Being authentic isn’t a conscious action - you can’t say “I’m going to be authentic today.” Well, if you do, we know you’re being fake. Presence engages us with the world around us, it engages us with our unfolding Puzzle, and is the only way to reveal your current true self. And there’s very little authenticity in a vacuum. Engaging with the world around us requires two-way flow of energy. Authenticity is that flow of energy in a state of presence. Our true self should be constantly changing, if we’re engaged with the world.

Some people don’t evolve. They find the groundhog day they like and never try to change it, or themselves. I used to drive around in a car with a six foot banana on top of it. When I first showed the concept, on paper, to the people around me I got resounding laughs that were usually followed by “you’re not serious, are you?” Oh, I was. It did take three months to talk myself into because it would have to be not just a company vehicle, but my personal one, too. Anywho, everywhere I’d go people would smile at it; kids would chase me; strangers would wave. But about 25% of people would just have a blank stare. At first I told myself they were mentally busy at the time. But as it happened more I began to feel like these people were not really alive. They no longer had a curiosity about the world. There was no authenticity. Or they just hated bananas.

If you want to change your life, the only time to do it is now. If you want to improve yourself and the world around you, the only real mechanism is presence.

chop wood. carry water. my friends