NOEMAYA

Authenticity is a concept that resonates deeply with the human experience and the desire to live genuinely and fully. In this post, I have tried to integrate perspectives on authenticity that seem to be complementary and leading to a practical solution to the problem of inauthentic existence. So, I have gathered insights from Carl Jung, our analytical psychologist, Martin Heidegger, a continental philosopher, and the mystical traditions of Sufism. By merging these perspectives, we can perhaps develop a better understanding of the path to authentic living and its importance for self-realization.

Carl Jung and the Individuation Process

Carl Jung’s notion of authenticity is rooted in the process of individuation, which he describes as the quest for self-realization and integration of the unconscious with the conscious mind. According to Jung, each person has a unique self that is often obscured by societal expectations, roles, and the collective unconscious.

In gradually encountering the world, the child begins a process of selection and suppression by which he/she molds the beyond-good-end-evil world of sensations into a constructed world of values that polarizes the child’s authentic being. As a result, the initially authentic whole breaks into what’s accepted (the emphasized norm) and what’s not accepted (the suppressed shadow) by the environment, the inevitable context of existence and growth. This break of the whole, or loss of or fall from paradise, is a necessary step in spiritual development and redemption

Individuation involves confronting and assimilating the shadow, which is the part of the psyche containing repressed life impulses and instincts. By acknowledging and integrating these aspects, an individual moves toward a more complete and authentic self. This is nothing short of what also Nietzsche talks about as moving beyond good and evil.

The wholeness in authenticity is not to be mistaken with perfection. In integrating the shadow, the authentic individual transcends the good and evil dichotomy, for he/she understands that man is an abyss stretched from hell to heaven, and that every individual contains within him as much evil as good. Therefore, the authentic man does much better than the good man, for the former is aware of what he’s capable of whereas the latter is not.

Martin Heidegger and Authentic Existence

Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of authenticity is centered on the concept of Dasein, which refers to human existence. Heidegger believed that most people live in a state of inauthenticity, conforming to societal norms and losing touch with true Being. Authenticity, for Heidegger, involves embracing one’s finite and indeterminate nature.

Heidegger introduced the idea of “being-towards-death,” which highlights the importance of recognizing our mortality. This awareness urges individuals to live more purposefully, making choices that reflect their true values rather than societal expectations. Authentic existence is characterized by a deep connection to one’s being and a commitment to living in accordance with one’s own truth.

However, what Heidegger is talking about here is not a determinate, static self. For Heidegger, and the existentialists, human essence coincides with existence, that is, man is not a particular thing but rather the flow of Being itself. Thus, to be oneself is anything but having or identifying with a particular, well-defined self. Such common “be yourself” kinds of statements indicate rather inauthentic being, for in having a fixed identification with one form or another, man is at once suppressing the intrinsic indeterminacy and spontaneity of Being.

Therefore, part of authentic living is embracing the angst of indeterminacy of one’s nature. In other words, one who knows what he is, he is not.

Sufism and the Quest for Divine Truth

Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, adds a profound spiritual dimension to the concept of authenticity. Sufis seek to experience the divine directly, often through practices such as meditation, chanting (dhikr), and the whirling dance of the dervishes. The goal is to achieve a state of union with the divine, transcending the ego and realizing the true self as a reflection of the divine essence. In doing so, the Sufi is in the process of dropping all identifications, i.e. determinate forms to which one is attached by virtue of selection and suppression.

In Sufic practices, this is achieved by shrinking, or more precisely by gathering, one’s existence down into the infinitesimally small present moment, for it is away from the present moment that we are scattered by the centrifugal pull of extrinsic norms. It’s in the death of these forms and norms that the Sufi becomes truly authentic, by accepting his/her formless nature without any fear of the evil or attachment to the good.

This doctrinal aspect of Sufism is very similar to Heidegger’s being-towards-death: for the Sufi, all things are constantly passing away, including the Sufi himself insofar as his form is concerned; each moment is a passing away of content. What survives this passing away is the present moment which is pure and free of all content, form, and identifications. Thus, the Sufi subsists in the constant passing away of all forms. That’s why the Sufis are also called “the sons of the present.”

Rumi, a renowned Sufi poet, emphasized the importance of love and the heart in the quest for authenticity. For Sufis, the heart is the center of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. Authentic living involves purifying the heart, detaching from external identifications, and seeking a deeper connection with the divine. Divinity in its pure, metaphysical form is nothing but the living, eternal present, the indeterminate Being.

Practical Steps Toward Authentic Living

1. Self-Reflection: Both Jung and Heidegger emphasize the importance of introspection. Regularly setting aside time for self-reflection can help uncover, encounter, and accept deeper desires, fears, and motivations. Journaling, meditation, and mindfulness practices are effective tools for this purpose. Sufi practices like dhikr can also help cultivate a deeper awareness of the divine presence within oneself, for dhikr as a repetition of a spiritual formula is the best means of counteracting the centrifugal forces that push us out of the present moment.
2. Embrace Your Shadow: Following Jung’s advice, work on integrating the shadow aspects of your personality. This means acknowledging and accepting the parts of yourself that you might typically reject or hide. These parts often manifest themselves through uncomfortable sensations. So, an attitude of curiosity while scanning these sensations in the body, can helps us build tolerance and unconditional acceptance toward them.
3. Live in the Present: Heidegger’s concept of being-towards-death encourages living in the present moment. Cultivate mindfulness to stay connected to the now, making deliberate choices that align with your true self. Sufi teachings also emphasize the importance of being present and mindful, seeing each moment as an opportunity to connect with the divine. Best way of holding on to the present moment in the beginning is to attach oneself to concrete aspects of Being, such as the breathing or the bodily sensations.
4. Question Societal Norms: Both Jung and Heidegger suggest that societal expectations can lead to inauthenticity. Critically examine the societal norms and values you follow, and assess whether they align with your personal beliefs and desires. Nowadays, social media can have a huge influence in burying the authentic self alive, a step at a time, so that we won’t even notice losing our authenticity. Perhaps limit your interactions with social media and question what you see and hear.
5. Set Authentic Goals: Establish goals that reflect your genuine interests and values, not just what is expected by society or others. This involves listening to your inner voice and trusting your intuition. This deeper message often manifests through a sense of alignment. If a certain activity makes you feel that inner alignment, then that’s a movement toward an authentic self; if it creates a sense of urgency, obsession or compulsivity, then it indicates an inauthentic flow.
6. Cultivate a Connection with the Divine: Inspired by Sufism, nurture your spiritual side by seeking a deeper connection with the divine, the present moment. This can be through prayer, meditation, or simple practices such as mindful listening, which symbolize the soul’s journey toward the divine.

Ultimately, to be fully authentic for a human being is to be fully anonymous, but that’s just the ideal end and not a presently practical aim. The truly authentic being is one whose essence is coincident with Being itself; he/she is everything and nothing, everywhere and nowhere. He/she is not a thing anymore but rather a stage on which things unfold.