Cultivating a Deeper Connection with Yourself

"Ever wondered about the intriguing dance between mindfulness and authenticity? 

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. 

Authenticity is staying truth to ourselves, to our core, living in alignment with our core values, and be genuine to ourselves! 

If memory didn’t fail me, I remember my first encounter with mindfulness came from a curious perspective happened about 3 decades ago.   You see,  I noticed that my dad has this practice – chinese called it  打坐 (da zhou), probably translated  as meditation 

He told me that it is very useful,  a few min a day help him to have better energy level and clearer head.    It even helps him to manage with less sleep.    So, I thought this was  amazing, hence keen to  learn so asked him to teach me.  And he did.  Sit still and think of nothing 

What!   

Hold on! What does that mean? 

From young,  I was a restless little bugger, hyper-actives is me, constantly searching for new activity to do, I simply can’t sit still and probably loves multiple tasking too as a child. 

How does one sit still?  Do nothing and think nothing! 

For the very first time in my life,  I noticed how much thoughts I have,  how busy my mind is.  All of a sudden, I realised my brain was running at a hyper speed. I couldn’t stop thinking.... 

So the results as expected; had not been successful since to think of nothing cannot hold truth for me. 

At very moment when I sat down, my mind wandered like crazy,  there is just so much thoughts running wild.  In fact,  it is impossible not to wander,  like asking me not to breathe.    That’s impossible,  how can anyone stop breathing so there goes my first encounter of meditation.... 

WHy did I share this old story?  Like many,  I love the idea of mediation especially with the explosive research on the goodness for us : 

• Strength our immunity  
• Reduce our stress  
• Lower cortisol  
• Improve our sleep  

But found it impossible to get it going, let alone to get it started. 

More importantly,  can practicing mindfulness be the gateway to living a more authentic life? 

In today's fast-paced world, our daily lives seem to be defined by relentless hustle and bustle of activities both at work and even at home, multi-taskings is a norm practiced by most of us.   

Mindfulness is the very last thing anyone would find time for and this takes me back to my journey, the journey of authenticity. 

I realised as I begin to unveil authenticity;  mindfulness is the key; the key to unlocking our true self; that has always lies in the gentle embrace of the present awareness. 

The word “mindfulness” means to see clearly when we are to see clearly,  it also means we have the ability to see who we really are, not how we should be.  Mindfulness allows to see through the noises around us, the noises that crowds our thoughts. 

When I go faster,  when I am achieving more in,  it is all in material terms,  and the more I I have, the more I want wanted – for there is so much going on in this exciting world.   It becomes harder to quiet down.   It is like like a mouse always chasing after the cheese infront of you. 

Mindfulness could also be said that it is a  state or quality of being conscious or aware of something where our attention is.    Some might like to say that it is a state where one calmly acknowledges and accept one own feelings, thoughts and even bodily sensations.     

With mindfulness, embracing our authenticity no longer seem so impossible for authenticity is simply being true to oneself and to be true to oneself we need to be aware what is happening in us, not just what is happening outside of us. 

No one can fully achieve their own authenticity without an awareness of who they are,    its like going into the cloud and feel that it is the right place yet not able to fully see because the cloud has created the delusion that they are at the right place, yet they can never be sure. 

My journey of authenticity is a beginning to go inward for that truth, the truth of who I am, what I am and then How I am.   

Each discovery takes me a step closer to my authenticity, the core of my being, including  through encounters with people I met from different walks of life. 

Ultimately, it is the humility of allowing myself to be receptive and not perspective that I begin to grow curious again, to be vulnerable, to be willing and intentional to find my authenticity and use of mindfulness to stay truth to my core 

It's the art of living in alignment with your core identity rather than conforming to external expectations. Authenticity is not about being perfect; it's about being real and embracing your imperfections. 

When we practice Mindfulness, we begin to be present in the moment, without judgment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and the world around you. 

Let's unravel the threads that bind these two concepts and discover how cultivating mindfulness might just be the missing link to authenticity in our fast-paced, modern world." 

1. Self-Awareness: 

• Mindfulness is the gateway to self-awareness. By observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself. 
• Authenticity starts with self-awareness. When you're mindful, you become more attuned to your true thoughts and feelings, helping you identify what matters most to you. 

2. Acceptance of Imperfections: 

• Mindfulness teaches us to accept things as they are, including our imperfections and vulnerabilities. 
• Authenticity requires embracing your imperfections and being comfortable with your vulnerabilities. Mindfulness helps you build this acceptance. 

3. Honoring Your Values: 

• Mindfulness encourages you to live in alignment with your values. When you're present in each moment, you can make choices that reflect your true beliefs. 
• Authenticity is about living according to your values, not someone else's. Mindfulness supports this by helping you connect with your values on a deeper level. 

4. Effective Communication: 

• Mindfulness enhances communication skills by fostering active listening and promoting empathy. 
• Authenticity in relationships is built on honest and empathetic communication. Mindfulness helps you communicate more openly and genuinely. 

5. Reducing Social Masking: 

• Many of us wear masks in social situations to fit in or please others. 
• Mindfulness enables you to recognize when you're wearing these masks and encourages you to remove them, allowing your authentic self to shine through. 

6. Handling Stress and Pressure: 

• Mindfulness is a powerful stress management tool. It helps you respond to stressors calmly and thoughtfully. 
• Authenticity can be challenged in high-stress situations. Mindfulness equips you with the resilience and self-awareness to stay true to yourself even under pressure. 

7. Embracing the Present Moment: 

• Mindfulness is all about embracing the present moment. When you're fully present, you're naturally more authentic because you're not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness and authenticity are interconnected like the dance where one cannot do without the other.  For the dance to be alive,  the dancer has to be fully presence.   Mindfulness provides the tools and mindset needed to uncover and nurture your authentic self. As you cultivate mindfulness in your life, you'll find that authenticity becomes a natural expression of who you are. It's a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-expression that leads to a more fulfilling and genuine way of living. So, take a mindful dance toward authenticity today, and let your true self shine.