An Easy Meditation for Connecting to Your Authentic Self
Your authentic self is who you truly are, who you came into the world to be. This differs from your social self. Your social self is the persona you developed in order to survive and fit into your culture. There have been many times in my life when my authentic self has gone into hiding, even from myself! This was essential at times. However, as an adult creating my own path and wanting to show up in my full power to the service of myself and the world around me, it is essential that I connect to my authentic self. We all come into this world with a purpose, with a unique mission that only we can complete. And in order to complete your life’s mission, you need to remember who you are on the inside, your most powerful, most true self. Only in this way can you create a life that is the as joyful, passionate, and purposeful possible.
When I was in my early 20s and unearthing my authentic self, I found a technique in a book that has served me well in remembering who I truly am. I have returned to this simple technique in times when I need to remember who I am as the social pressures of the world around me start closing in.
Use this anytime you need to get to the crux of who you are, when you can’t remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, to find out why you have a feeling that something is missing, or if you simply have a case of the blahs.
Get into a comfortable position. Lie on the floor or sit comfortably.
Take some slow, deep breaths. Feel into your body. Let yourself feel supported by the floor or chair, by the earth.
When you feel relaxed imagine yourself going to a closet in your room. If you don’t have a closet, imagine you have one, or a wardrobe will work just as well. Think “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” Open the door to your closet or wardrobe and imagine yourself knocking on the back wall.
Once you knock a door will appear. Imagine walking through the door into a beautiful forest. The forest is vibrant and inviting. Dappled sunlight filters through tall trees. It is warm with a soft breeze. You can hear the sound of a stream nearby and birds chirping peacefully.
You will see a path in the forest. Follow this path until you come upon a very large mirror standing upright in the forest. Imagine this mirror however you like. I can be round or square The frame can be wood or metal. My mirror has a beautiful metal frame of carved, scrolling vines and flowers. There are carved animals in the frame as well. This is the mirror of your authentic self so imagine it in the way that is most beautiful to you. This mirror will reflect back to you your authentic self.
Now look into the mirror and invite your authentic self to show up. Welcome her. There is no one else watching. What does she look like? What is she wearing? What is she doing? Ask her anything you want to know. Be open to receiving the answers.
When you feel complete thank your authentic self for showing up for you. Leave the mirror and come back to your room the way you had left, back along the path, back through the closet and into your room. The mirror will be there for you whenever you need to visit it.
Use this visualization anytime you find yourself feeling out of touch with your authentic self. It will touch you to your core to face this person, which is exactly how people will feel when you allow your authentic self to shine.
With so much love,
Carrie
ps. I’m sorry that I can’t remember who wrote this or from which book it came. If you recognize this visualization from somewhere please add a comment below so that I can give credit where it’s due.