Followed you here from your comment at the Zen Habits post on LOA.

Happy that I did. :)

I have been browsing your site and like what I see. This post in particular. Echoes what’s inside me.

Keep up the good work.

I really look forward to the post on the Four Agreements – excellent picks you’ve got here! And I’m goin to ha to check out this book..

*smile* This post started my morning off right

On of the outcomes of regaining authenticity is that we tend to gain some deep friendships and we lose a heap of acquaintances. I think a lot of people feel threatened by people of authenticity because their own facade starts to crack and show.

For the most part, I have learned to differentiate the nutjob in my head from the sane one. And more often than not, I know who to listen to. It’s been a lot of hard work but well worth the effort.

Now I just have to learn to do the same with other people.

Thanks so much.

I’d also like you to tell us more about this. “The truth survives our skepticism, but we can’t say the same about lies. Lies only exist if we believe in them. The truth is the truth whether we believe in it or not. That’s the beauty of the truth.” I’d like to hear more about how you discern the truth and distinguish it form this voice of knowledge.

The humanist Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Theory is much like this, as Bill noted, and it is possible to accept others’ genuineness when you have defined your own. I also see RET and other cognitive theories, along with a dose of Maslow’s Heirarchy of Need which might play a role in Jung’s internal vs. external personality types.

I find it quite tonge-in-cheek that none of these psych theories are complete in and of themselves. It’s at this point where you might choose to reach for and explore “something more” for yourself. Like religions, psychology has many paths that reach for the same goal, pieces of the same pie, so be hungry and go for them all.

I’m a little confused at some of your statements, like listening to the voice you told to shut up. (Or did I misunderstand?) Is this voice your intuition, what’s in your heart? Would another way of framing this be balancing your thinking with your feeling?

I had to comment! I like this blog. Besides, yesterday, I also posted about socialization ruining the purity and joy of the child. But, I took a different path with it. I used it to explain our continued misinterpretations of abstracts.

Thank you for this great read!
Theresa
A Bumpy Path

Absolutely. Regaining my own authenticity has given me the courage to be true to myself. I strive to pursue my own heart-driven goals more than anything. Doing what gives me joy and purpose drives me.

Evelyn,

Sometimes that’s what it takes. I think the key is listening to the voice, to learn from it. But not believing what it says.

Shann,

It’s nice to know someone that’s explored Don Miguel Ruiz’s work. He’s a brilliant man, with so much common sense wisdom. I feel compelled to share his teachings (and the Toltec wisdom) with others.

Cheers,

Bill

You are welcome to check out my blog for my experience with The Four Agreements.

http://truebalancelifecoaching.blogspot.com/search?q=four+agreements

In Balance,

Shann