"Authenticity in a World of Distractions"

Striving to live authentic, is a task of learning to trust thyself. To believe in the power of your intentions and intuitions amidst the distractions that confront us. Following those gleams in the steam. Putting on the door - "Whim!" and going where it may lead. If our lives are like books and days be pages, we find links repeating throughout the chapters. We begin to see how those memorable moments and unique interests, leave marks of the identity we wish to shape. Yet our culture has lacked stories that provide a fundamental meaning and understanding of our place in this modern world.

Among other reasons, the Greeks and Romans had mythic tales and gods so that they would have something to emulate. Our nation, whether its acknowledged or not, was set up on a Christian foundation, but for many Americans, not to mention those overseas, even these central stories have been rejected as useless to many. There is no "American mythos" or cultural set of of beliefs, that speaks to those symbols of truth that reconnect us to something larger, in which we have various roles in this mesh of life. To the fact that our development is unique to each of us, but also contains themes that have been displayed in stories across time.

These stories have been largely dismissed by many in modern society. Tossed under the table as mere fables or tales, they see no point in their study or leisure. The lack of cultural icons that stand as something to aspire toward - (i.e.: the focus on only a few fields such as entertainment and sports) - I think stifles our authenticity, our desire to follow our interests, even if they be "outside the box". Our culture just doesn't provide much encouragement for the young Salvador Dali's of the world. It constrains their creativity with "rules of conventionality" and gives little reinforcement for the "odd thinker."

We live in an age of such "short-term return on investment": of instant messaging, up to the minute news updates, and stories of pop icons who blow up overnight. While the "path of mastery", to borrow a term from George Leonard, isn't even discussed; those habits to be instilled, left to be found, those obstacles to be faced, a mystery. This makes having confidence in long term plans more difficult when one isn't sure they are even walking in the right direction. That's what these stories help us do, they orient us. Hence why the nature of them, what lessons they teach, is so important.

The general tone I get from school, outside those outstanding teachers we all couldn't forget, is to "remember and learn this stuff, so then you can have a career one day." Not, "find what excites you, remember you have your own talents, and keep an open mind." Many assume geniuses are born with unnatural gifts - that Mozart popped out of the womb with a violin, already plucking cords - but his dad wrote a book on the fundamentals of violin playing. So yes, he was skilled from a young age, enough to travel Europe's courts playing for the kings and queens with his sister, but more so it goes to show that, proper technique and diligent practice will go far in developing one's talents. Tiger's dad would putt golf balls over and over again in front of him, before Tiger could walk, as he would sit and watch. Soaking it in. It's one of those paradoxes: we seem to be inclined with natural talents, areas that we happen to excel in, but we also must focus on stretching and nurturing them if we wish to yield fruits.

The herd always has its preconceived notions - nets they sling around and try to lock a label on, expectations they transfer onto you. This can trap us into consistency, modesty, or mediocrity, for at a young age we learn not to be "the smart ***", and yet dare not question "stupidly", such is the balance we seek. Oh how many words have been left unsaid, perhaps rightfully so, but who knows! At some point a filter is always necessary.

I once heard that the two main factors for motivation are "positive public pressure" and "enjoyment". These dual spurs frequently drive us, but think: what a culture gives "positive public pressure" (i.e.: the NFL, doctors, degrees) - and how that influences the actions of its citizens, to such a high degree. No wonder the Greeks prized philosophy and there were many philosophers, the Spartans revered warriors such that "it was better to return on a shield, then alive," and what will the epitaph of America be?

The lack of public exposure for recent figures like Abraham Maslow (that such a term as 'self-actualization' is frequently unheard), Martin Seligeman and the overall positive psychology movement is discouraging. Psychology is almost seen as a voodoo science, and philosophy its lazy cousin for by-gone days. However, the fact remains that "positive psychology" is not even 100 years old, yes, it is becoming increasingly credible and has been well-founded with sound experiments and analysis. Yet those nuggets, those hard worked for insights that can shift a person's whole attitude, opening up a new direction for them, have not yet been filtered down to the elementary level. Are not the abc's of happiness more practical, and more conducive to long-term success than memorizing chemical compounds? Our culture is great is many ways, but it stagnates our growth at times.

This admonition from Emerson eloquently summarizes not only the criticism we must brush aside, but the importance of convicted direction: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” This "map", or "course of action" has been hinted at, lightly grazed over, but never thoroughly presented, the subtle tasks alike that empower, our vision, never clearly laid before us. Visualization and intensity of feeling are techniques little discussed. The importance of goals stressed: but clear definite ones? that allow for feedback and measurement of progress? Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's theories on 'Flow' are right up this alley. He talks about how even POWs during the Vietnam War found meaning and enjoyment by doing such mental tasks as playing a round of golf in their minds after waking up. Our intellectual capacities crave use - they yearn to be stretched and challenged. Mihaly also talks about a "merging of action and awareness" (pg. 183 'The Evolving Self') So into the act, the self disappears. I tried to capture this in a recent poem of mine, The Pope's Sculptor: "A focal point filled, about to burst. Just him and the statue, immersed. Finally, it takes form. He sighs, places his chisel on a table, and the room reappears." Such intense focus on the present it requires, that a loss of time occurs.

Maslow talks about an "Integrity Gap" that to the extent that you in align with your highest values, to that degree of happiness will you be at. The more you choose to grow, instead of stagnate, the more you close this gap. We each have our own habits and rituals, these are the cornerstones of our states.

There are many aspects of authentic living, and so many focus on the growth of the individual, that it can be overlooked that one's talents need be meshed into their culture. For each person's has received, been a product of, and finds greater fulfillment in giving back, and contributing to their community. "Roles and Goals" its been said, our identity needs roles that have duties, while moving toward an object in sight. It's this exertion, this consistent action, that gathers our self-esteem, and makes us more grateful. I can't help but feel that the "Stories and Role Models" we receive don't promote our self-actualization, our development, as charging as the Spirit can be. "Who am I to become? How am I to get there?" We're taught to each his own, and disregard all the clues out there that show patterns and causes. But the dreams of the poets are still that, the moral elevation of the people is what it is, and abundant happiness is still elusive for many. When Thoreau said, ""Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." he was speaking on this taboo fact that our spiritual development has noticeable room to flourish.


Evan Shaw
Philosophy of Human Nature
Prof. Bob Sessions
Authenticity Paper
5/13/13

Yours fooly has no academic credentials in the realm of "Philosophy of Human Nature," so I wouldn't presume to judge it on that basis, such as assigning a grade, as your professor would. I do know a thing or two about writing, however, and I will say that this is clear, concise, and scrupulous in its effort to provide examples to support its arguments. Even so, these illustrations are a bit desultory, just briefly touched upon, like billiard balls bouncing off one another on a table.

Somewhere in the introductory paragraph, I would have liked to have seen a statement as to why authenticity is a desirable human quality. It probably is, but why? It's more than a mere "given," as in the platitude-drenched speech of Polonius: "To thine own self, be true."

Again, I'm no philosopher, but I think I disagree with the essay's statements that there are no American myths:

Quote:

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There is no "American mythos" or cultural set of of beliefs, that speaks to those symbols of truth that reconnect us to something larger, in which we have various roles in this mesh of life

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If we understand myths to be a"cultural set of beliefs," there are plenty of them here in "these United States." True or not, Evangelical Christians have much influence on political, legislative, and social progress in this country, especially in the south and parts of the mid-west. Calvinistic economic principles also seem part of the American grain.

The narrower connotation of "myth" ( as in belief in something that has been proven to be false) is behind some quaint and mistaken notions of our national character, such as the delusion that a good education all-but guarantees a good job, or that "hard work" guarantees success, and the cruelest of all, "You can make your own luck."

Your essay touched on the idea that materialism is the enemy of authenticity. I would have liked to have seen that theme developed more thoroughly.

Finally, as a mere reader and not a professor, I'd say this is the beginning of a thoughtful paper.