We are all drawn to individuals who are authentic. Perhaps we see something in them that we can relate to. Maybe we long to be more like them. Or perhaps their authenticity is an invitation for us to do the same – to be real.
The media was quick to spot authenticity when Anna Bligh, Queensland Premier expressed genuine heartfelt anguish and compassion for the victims of the recent flooding, and took decisive action – and compared her to other politicians who offer those polished, politically correct speeches we are so accustomed to hearing. When Anna Bligh spoke, people stopped to listen. Her authenticity was compelling.
Authenticity is a complex mix of self awareness, courage, vulnerability, responsibility and trust, and involves knowing yourself deeply, being real and accountable, and trusting yourself and others.
There is a sense of liberation or freedom when we become authentic. This is because we use a great deal of energy to sustain our ‘persona’ – that part of ourselves we show to the world while concealing the parts of ourselves we don’t like or even know. Have you ever noticed how much of your energy you consume when you hold back in some way or act in ways that are not consistent with how you ‘should have’ acted? Perhaps this is one reason why children and animals seem to have boundless energy they are being authentic. When we learn to become authentic, we actually experience a sense of integration, lightness, easefulness, and have noticeably more energy, not to mention more personal power.
Authenticity can be learned
It is not enough to just want to be authentic. It can be elusive and just out of reach for many of us from time to time. Its not that we are lying about what we think or feel, but most of the time we wear our ‘masks’ without even knowing it. We have developed strategies, beliefs and behaviours throughout our lives to cope, get our needs met, and attain our goals. As we evolve and change, our strategies often become outdated, and no longer serve us.
To move towards authenticity requires a change in our perceptions, beliefs, and ultimately our behaviour, which usually requires a SEE – a Significant Emotional Event. So reading and learning about authenticity is usually not enough to make a sustainable, positive change.
An alternative to a SEE, is to learn experientially in a structured program within an emotionally safe environment. Experiential learning involves whole body learning as it includes physical, mental, emotional and behavioural dimensions. When we learn by doing – with awareness, new neural pathways are set down, making change more sustainable.
Horses are natural authenticity meters. They are driven by their need for safety, and for them to feel safe around us they need to know who we really are. Being prey animals, they have developed the extraordinary ability to read their environment at an energetic level.
Each one of us has a unique energetic quality – a combination of our life’s experiences etched into our cells, our beliefs, thoughts, intentions, physical health, and emotions that radiate out from us. Horses respond to us according to our energetic quality, and reflect it back at us in expressive undeniable behaviour.
When we interact with horses, we have the opportunity to reflect on their responses, and adjust our thinking and behaviour accordingly. When we learn by doing our bodies remember, and the changes we make are quicker and more sustainable.