[WomensWisdom] How Authentic are You? ...August 23

--------------------------------------

Lately, I've been reading alot of Ken Wilber's books (to see what I've been reading, go to the Women'sU bookstore). While reading One Taste, Ken talks about the passing of his wife, Treya, to cancer some years ago. Ken was surprised to find that Treya's personal journals contained no 'secrets'. She had expressed herself with others in complete congruency with how she expressed herself in her most private moments. Complete, utter authenticity. I found this unheard of authenticity, inspiring.

Did you see the movie with Mel Gibson called "What Women Want"? In this movie, there is a similar concept. After an accident, Mel Gibson's character is able to hear what women are thinking. He is quite surprised to find out that what they say to him out loud is *very different* than what they are thinking. It is only when he meets Helen Hunt that he discovers an authentic woman who says what she means and means what she says.

We are taught at such an early age to put on our masks, our defensives, our walls when we are out in the world. Whether it is for self-protection or to do well in our jobs or to get along with others, we all wear our 'masks'.

What would our world be like and what would our relationships be like, if we all set aside our masks and expressed our true, authentic Selves - real-time, in the moment?

I believe our relationships would be deeper, truer, more fulfilling and rewarding. That we would find ourselves strong and independent and yet beautifully interdependent with one another. That we would have an incredible sense of community and collaboration. And that we would have more energy and vitality because we don't have to maintain our masks.

What I find most curious, is that in my experience with coaching clients, with friends and reading about others, we all *crave* a real connection with others.

For example, I enjoy the author Carolyn Myss and her works (Anatomy of Spirit, Why People Can't Heal, Sacred Contracts). I think she is an amazing, gifted medical intuitive and author. I listened to a conversation between Carolyn Myss and Ken Wilber where they talked casually, like friends as opposed to an interview. Carolyn shared some of her personal challenges with life and illness, including when she almost died. She shared her experiences and her learnings.

You know what I discovered? I had more respect and admiration for her, after hearing her human experiences and vulnerabilities. Not less.

Have you had a similar experience? That in seeing someone's human-ness, you were drawn closer or to a deeper relationship with them?

We all crave real connections and yet we're trained to wear masks.

I've taken on the personal challenge of being more authentic in my life - becoming aware of when I put on a mask or when I censor my Self; and taking small steps to share more of me.

I invite you to accept your own personal challenge and gently, compassionately, take off your masks and share more of your true, authentic Self with others and the world.

And if you would like support in becoming more Authentic, please contact me about a co-creating a coaching partnership.

Until next week, BE TRUE!

- Lauren Lee, Master Spirit Coach and Certified Prosperity Guide
"Evangelist for Evolving Women's Consciousness"
(888) 833-7606 SpiritCoach@WomensU.com

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
RESOURCES:

One Taste by Ken Wilber
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570625476/womesu

Grace and Grit : Spirituality and Healing in the Life and Death of Treya Killam Wilber http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570627428/womesu

Integral Naked - http://www.integralnaked.com
(Carolyn Myss and Ken Wilber) ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Did this article touch you? Share your experience: email spiritcoach@womensu.com. Or forward this newsletter to someone you know.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
This newsletter is brought to you by Lauren Lee, Master Spirit Coach, Speaker and Author. Want to know more? Email spiritcoach@womensu.com
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
SPONSORS:

** Want to transform your business? "Marketing with a Mission"
Do-It-Yourself Niche Marketing Course. I have personally worked with Barbara Casey and her "Marketing with A Mission" is amazing! Go to:
http://www.marketingwithamission.com/MarketingCourse.htm

** Stephanie Wood ** Personal Trainer/Lifestyles Coach
stephanie@dancefitnessplus.com http://www.dancefitnessplus.com
"Movement creates energy and energy breathes life into your soul."
Learn strategies to find time in your life for a healthier lifestyle.
-AND-
**Care and Feeding of Empaths and Highly Sensitive Persons**
My other website. As an Empath and HSP my Self, one of my greatest challenges has been learning to embrace my gifts and see their value. Now I want to share my learnings with you! FR*EE monthly e-zine with insightful tips and techniques on how to thrive! http://www.EmpathsandHSPs.com
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE/CHANGES
You are receiving this newsletter because you
subscribed via our website or listserve.

To manage your subscription, subscribe or unsubscribe,
goto: http://www.womensu.com/newsletters.htm.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
NO SPAM POLICY. We do not sell, rent or otherwise
distribute your information. Read more at
http://www.womensu.com/privacy.htm
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
*Women's Wisdom* Copyright 2004, Women'sU.
All rights reserved by Lauren Lee and Women'sU.

Women'sU * 2212 S Market St Ste 307 * Brenham, TX 77833
(888)833-7606 * editor@womensu.com
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~