Listen to your Authentic Self!

Being true to yourself is possible when your thoughts correlate with your actions. We can remain true to ourselves, only when our thought process i.e. our thinking aligns with our physical action and this approach gives us a true meaning to our ‘Self’ which is called ‘Authentic Self’.

Authentic Self is the ‘absolute you’. It is your core part, which is not defined by your job or role; rather it is composite of your skills, talents and wisdom. It consists of all that are uniquely yours (Dr. Phil Mc. Graw, 2005, p.87). In precise, being true to oneself is Authentic Self (Neil A. Mence, 2014, p.178).

When we are not true to ourselves, there is emptiness in our Inner Self. Hollowness in our Inner Self will stop us from being creative, innovative, and instinctive in achieving our desired results. Sherrie Dillard, (2016, p.59) opines that “The feeling of not being true to yourself, the sense that there is something else you are meant to be doing, and feeling an inner void and emptiness are some of the signs that you have lost touch with your authentic self.”

Listening to our Authentic Self, or having touch with our Authentic Self, can strengthen our self-esteem, we can deepen our love and compassion towards our fellow humans, and also, we can develop insights about essential matters concerning our life. Possibly, the bare meaning of ‘Authentic Self’ is explicit with a beautiful story of two friends Vijay and Ajay.

Far off, connected to Indian Ocean, there was a tiny coastal town. The town was habituated predominantly by fishing community. The community largely depends on fishing as a primary occupation for their livelihood. The town being small in size, therefore, people were very much familiar with each other. The love and compassion, the locals share with each other was evident in their selfless relations. Though water ways was not only the means of transport for the dwellers of the town, but it was predominantly used, to travel to other towns and also for occupational reasons.

For the locals, everything was moving smoothly, until one day, during afternoon, the nature’s fury in the form of heavy rains caused havoc to them. The houses of the town dwellers were not that strong to bear the harm caused by heavy downpour of water, many houses were on the verge of tumbling to the ground. The transport system was badly affected and incessant rain had interrupted routine activities of locals in the town. Along with other fishing community members, two close friends, Ajay and Vijay were also dwellers of the town.

Early in the morning, on the fateful day, Ajay had to travel to neighboring city, rowing his boat, to purchase provisions. On his onward journey, the weather was normal, but during return journey, in the mid-way, he encountered heavy rains and was stranded. Other fellow dwellers of the town, who had returned from the city, in larger size passenger speed boat, informed locals that, they had seen Ajay rowing his boat, laden with provisions towards shallow waters, which was associated to a tiny uninhabited island. Possibly, Ajay had felt that returning alone during the volatile weather is precarious. Perhaps, he decided to take shelter in an uninhabited island. However, fellow dwellers of town were not sure whether Ajay is safe in that uninhabited island, they detailed the locals that, they had seen large trees been uprooted cause of heavy winds. During this crisis, fear gripped locals assembled at one secured place in the town and were discussing about the danger that may cause them through heavy rains and thunder. Further, the discussions were also about Ajay and his safety. The details of Ajay’s visit to other town and his return journey facts were brought to the knowledge of his friend Vijay.

After knowing his dear friend is in danger situation, Vijay decided to proceed so as to provide help to his friend. Noticing this, the head of the local community, said to Vijay, “You can venture, but I don’t think it will be worthy choice. Probably, your friend is either injured or dead and going there you are inviting danger for yourself”. He further said to Vijay that, “Once downpour stops, next day you can take some men with you to see your friend”. The local community head’s words had no impact on Vijay; he decided to travel to provide help to his friend. Unmindful about encountering danger, Vijay ventured into waters using his boat. Initially, Vijay faced difficulty rowing his boat in rough waters, however with the passage of time, the fury of nature minimized and he could manage to reach uninhabited island to meet his friend Ajay.

 All locals assembled at Jetty (Quay/dock) awaiting Vijay’s return. After sometime, far away they can see Vijay rowing his boat towards Jetty. As the boat was nearing the Jetty, anxiety among the locals gets intense. After reaching the Jetty, locals could see Vijay carrying his friend Ajay on his shoulder, and all of them were eager to know the details. The local community head smiled at Vijay, he was compassionate for what had happened to Ajay. Further, being critical with Vijay, the local community head said, “Vijay I informed you, it is not worthy choice to travel”. He further retorted “your friend is dead and you are exhausted.”

To everyone’s surprise Vijay uttered “It was worthy choice, Sir”. The local community head turned curious to know why it was a worthy to venture into waters, while the weather being rough. Looking at everyone, who were eagerly wanted to know the reason as to why Vijay had to take the risk. Vijay said, “Yes, it was a worthy choice, when I reached the place, I could see Ajay was under a big branch of tree, which had fallen on him and had injured him badly. But he was still alive and I could witness the immense solace on his face the moment he had seen me. I now have the contentment of hearing him say, “ Vijay I knew you would come”. Further, Vijay said to locals that “Hereafter I will not remain guilty, for not visiting my friend in danger, merely fearing the rough weather”.

Conclusion: At every alternative moment, knowing that his friend is in danger, Vijay was affected with mixed emotions. The loss of communication with his friend had developed sadness in him. As his friend was not safe fear developed in him, and fear resulted into anxiety. Further, uncertain about his friend’s security, he was disturbed and angry. Though Vijay was not responsible for the plight of his friend, yet he feels ashamed, for not being with his dear friend, during such terrible situation. The gloomy thoughts had further developed guilt in him; he thought ‘If I don’t go now, I have to carry the guilt for the rest of my life’. The love for his friend prompted him to venture his journey. The last but not the least emotion, encouraged Vijay to reach to his friend Ajay was the Joy, which he will get after meeting him. The crux of the story is: Vijay was true to himself; his thoughts had absolutely correlated with his actions. Vijay listen to his ‘Authentic Self’ and ventured his journey to meet his friend Ajay, and thereafter he (Vijay) remained free from guilt.

  Many times we encounter difficult situations in our life, which tests our cognitive abilities to decide on whether it will be worthy enough to take action? Answering such question largely depends on how we perceive such questions and what our ‘Authentic Self’ says us about it. It is always worth to take up all our courage and do something which our ‘Authentic Self’ tells us to do, so that, we may not regret later about not doing it. Being true to ourselves is possible when we listen to our ‘Authentic Self’.

References:

 1.     Dr. Phill Ms. Graw (2005) “Love Smart: Find the One You Want-Fix the One You Got”, Page No.87, available from https://books.google.com.om/books?id=v96amVzqanwC&pg=PA87&dq= (Accessed on 13th September, 2019).

2.     Neil A. Mence, (2014), “Successful Living: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery and Successful Living”, Page No.178, available from https://books.google.com.om/books?id=E_FzBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA178&dq= (Accessed on 14th September, 2019)

3.     Sherrie Dillard (2016 ) “Discover Your Authentic Self: Be You, Be Free, Be Happy”, Page No. 59, available from https://books.google.com.om/books?id=XyAcDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA59- (Accessed on 13 September, 2019)