4 Magical Connections Between Authenticity and Spirituality
The connection between authenticity and spirituality is fascinating. I’m discovering that the more I work towards uncovering my authentic self, the closer I feel a connection to the divine.
Broken Beginnings
As a child, I quickly determined that I didn’t fit in. It didn’t take long to realize I was broken. Very broken. In an attempt to gain acceptance, I worked hard to fix myself. Instead of being me, I became whatever anyone around me wanted. Continuously reading self-help books, taking courses, faking it until I made it, and creating ‘success’ routines, I forced myself to be as perfect as possible. Life was a struggle.
When I started to practice self-care, however, everything changed. Struggle transitioned into flow. Let me back up and first outline what authenticity and spirituality are.
What is Authenticity?
Authenticity is about being true to yourself. It means:
- Self-Awareness: Knowing your values, beliefs, passions, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Alignment: Living your life in a way that aligns with your deepest sense of self.
- Honesty: Being truthful with yourself and others about your thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Before uncovering my true self, my top value was wealth. I spent years doing things that didn’t resonate in the hopes that I would one day feel successful. Often, my strengths were underutilized, and my weaknesses validated my brokenness. Every day, I had to pretend to be a fast-paced corporate girl boss when I truly wanted to be a writer or artist. I wasn’t truthful with myself or anyone else. My inner voice hated me and constantly told me how broken I was.
In contrast, when I explored the value of self-love/self-care, I started doing things that made my heart sing. Writing, painting, journaling, and walking in the forest felt like bliss. I wasn’t pretending to be something I’m not. I didn’t have to fake it until I made it. I just had to be me. The voice in my head loved me – even my weaknesses.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is often understood as the search for meaning, connection, and transcendence. It can include:
- Connection to Something Larger: A sense that there’s a greater reality or power beyond the individual self, whether that’s through religion, nature, or a sense of the universe.
- Meaning and Purpose: A deep understanding of why you exist and your role in the world.
- Values and Beliefs: A system of internal guidance that shapes how you live and understand the world.
It’s difficult to feel connected to a higher power when you’re struggling. And when you feel broken, you wonder why you exist at all.
However, when you love yourself and follow your passions, use your strengths, and align with your core values, life has meaning. You see the beauty and perfection even in all of the imperfections. Authenticity and spirituality – let’s now look at the connection.
The Connection: How Authenticity and Spirituality Support Each Other
- Authenticity as a Foundation for Spiritual Growth:
- When you are not true to yourself, it creates an internal dissonance that blocks spiritual connection.
- Self-awareness allows you to identify and let go of beliefs and behaviors that don’t align with your true values, opening the door for a deeper spiritual understanding.
- Spirituality as a Guide to Authenticity:
- Spiritual practices can help you connect with your inner self, uncovering your true values and motivations. Meditation and journalling are a couple of options.
- Belief systems within spirituality often provide a moral compass, encouraging honesty, selflessness, and service, which are cornerstones of authenticity.
- Shared Emphasis on Inner Truth:
- Both authenticity and spirituality urge you to look inward for answers and guidance. They prioritize connecting to your ‘inner voice’ over external expectations or societal pressures. You can do this through meditation, mindfulness, journaling, and contemplation. This is why the guru’s all say it’s an inside game.
- Cultivating Self-Acceptance and Compassion:
- Living authentically can expose your vulnerabilities. Spirituality may offer frameworks for self-acceptance and forgiveness. Over the past year, I experienced anxiety and panic attacks. After spending my life being a control freak, it was hard for me to admit to myself that I had a problem. Seeking help exposed my vulnerability. Boy, it was hard! Self-reflection and mindfulness helped me recognize that my worth is not tied to always being capable or in control.
- Being authentic and accepting of your flaws strengthens your spiritual understanding that nobody is perfect.
The Benefits of Embracing Both authenticity and spirituality
- Inner Peace and Purpose: Aligning your actions with your inner truth through authenticity and connecting with a higher purpose via spirituality brings a deep sense of well-being.
- Stronger Relationships: Authenticity allows for more genuine connections built on trust and honesty, a quality often mirrored in spiritually guided interactions.
- Resilience: Facing life’s challenges with the self-awareness of authenticity and faith rooted in spirituality can provide great strength.
Note that spirituality does not always mean religion. You can be authentic and spiritual without following an organized faith tradition.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about the connection between authenticity and spirituality? Leave them below.
