Navigating life authentically is the ONLY genuine path to freedom & contentment, forget spiritual 'attainment' (although there are some 'nice' concepts in there). The pressures of societal bias, personal (egoic) expectations (bias), authentic wants and needs of the body, and the inevitable internal struggles of these opposing forces obscures and confuses our understanding of who we truly are and what we truly want!
As a species we've lost ourselves and disconnected from Truth!
All humans want is authentic connection....to express ourselves openly...freely and safely with each other...to show all sides of ourselves....most just don't know it.
An effective way to begin to rediscover our authenticity (personal Truth/ meaning) is through the conceptual ideas of humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers, particularly his concept of the model of subception. Today my writing will explore how sensing subception serves as an invaluable key to living genuinely and deeply authentically (which believe it or not is ALL you ever desired...to be YOURSELF freely!) and will provide strategies to help you feel in to your authentic flow...this is freedom and empowerment! and leads to a contented, fully aligned life.
Understanding Subception
Carl Rogers coined the term "subception" to describe a level of awareness beneath conscious understanding and interpretation, it is our most RELIABLE guidance system in navigating our experience of life; it is the communication tool of our essence, God, or soul within (whatever term most resonates). It always senses immediately what is 'right' for us. It is unlike our programmed 'conscious' perception, which obviously involves recognising stimuli 'consciously', categorising and labelling it through past ideas and experiences. Subception (intuition) allows us to process all incoming stimuli, internal feelings and experiences without immediate conscious awareness and it tells us effortlessly what resonates and what does not. We couldn't process all incoming stimuli consciously because our external environment is flooding our system with around 11 million bits of information per second, but our conscious mind can only process roughly 40-50 bits of that information per second, meaning the vast majority is filtered out unconsciously.
Subception forms the foundation for authentic living by helping us acknowledge our most primary feelings and reactions. For example, if you feel a knot in your stomach during a social gathering, sensing in to the knot (not avoiding it) can help you cultivate more awareness of the somatic sensations and to maybe uncover why that discomfort arises, maybe from self-doubt or maybe a sense of obligation. The somatic sensations in the body are ALWAYS our Truth and are always communicating with our conscious mind, but are we aware and available enough to tune in??
Recognising our deeper somatic sensations (intuition) can offer a pathway to understanding and reclaiming our authentic expression. By starting to recognising what your body/ mind system ACTUALLY naturally wants to do i.e learning about who you truly are underneath your conditioned program, your 'shoulds' and 'ought to's', you can begin to live a more fulfilling life, because it's YOURS...it's REAL and it's TRUE. This is authentic living! This is what leads to fulfilment, forget about 'purpose' or 'success', they are side effects of you living in Truth!
The Role of Self-Concept
Our ego or self concept is shaped by the beliefs and perceptions we 'believe' about ourselves, which are always influenced by external factors. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61% of individuals reported that familial/ peer/ and societal expectations/ pressures significantly altered their individual, egoic self-view. It becomes common sense to understand that who we THINK we are has been shaped by everything the world (others) has told us we are and our genetic makeup. It is not our fault if we harbour unsavoury emotions and resistance to them!
When we internalise and claim external projections of us 'as our own' or as Truth about who we are, i.e in someway defining our position (identity) , our 'egoic self-concept' or sense of self obviously changes. It becomes ok or not ok depending on the circumstance. It can't not! Ego or fabricated Self is continuously maintained by the coming and going of external stimulus. It is either validated or invalidated (enhanced or deflated) by external events. You would have to be numbed out completely for your sense of self (ego) to not be influenced in some way by the continual influx of sensory data (bias) we are bombarded with 24/7. Feedback obviously impacts and shapes (in a good or bad way) the individual ego or 'sense' of self. By recognising that we are NOT predominantly the ego, that we are not the reactions (deflation or expansion) of the ego, we can shift how we perceive ourselves and move towards a more reliable, authentic, deeper and stable existence.
Just because our artwork may not have hit the mark on that occasion with that individual, just because the grumpy cashier thinks I'm an asshole, just because I was made redundant and told I'm shite at my job - DOESN'T DETERMINE ANYTHING ABOUT OUR ESSENTIAL NATURE. No experience defines us! Underneath all of the programmed, conditioned and genetic makeup is CLARITY...pristine...unaffected clear sensing...SUBCEPTION. It has no bias something resonates with it or it doesn't. Interestingly the same goes for the words that come out of our mouth, they resonate with our gut or they don't. If you are in a conversation and you start to lose your grounding...just stop...this is your guidance telling you that you are not talking authentically. Slow down and feel for words that make you feel centred and grounded. This is how you work with subception.
From clarity we can simply then choose how we use reflected data/ feedback (opinion of another) which never stops, to improve our skills and become a 'better' individual. We are evolving naturally all the time as individual expressions. When we function from clarity and not conditioned reactivity (ego) we have openness to have our flaws and attributes reflected back, we consider, intelligently and honestly areas where maybe we can improve, or we sense effortlessly when we are dealing with a person who has 'unworthiness' wounds that they are projecting on to us. Such is the natural wisdom of discernment that comes through intuition.
Clarity dissolves neuroticism and provides the wisdom of clear discernment...subception. Nothing is personal! Nothing defines us...good or bad. Reminds me of a Shakespeare quote :) "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so," ...."Hamlet.".
Our authentic SELF (beneath conditioning) cannot be added to or diminished by any 'experience' or opinion. Peoples diverse opinions of your expression will ALWAYS contain bias, they're supposed to, that is the nature of experience!. Anothers opinion says NOTHING of who you are, just a reflection that you can use to consciously evolve. You just stop being so neurotic and inflamed by peoples words and opinions and particular agenda or bias. You become courageous enough to receive all feedback openly & check inside to see if there's any Truth in their words that can help you clarify even more.
Only an ego can be added to or diminished through experience. Only an ego becomes inflamed.
Discerning Authenticity from Acceptance or Rebellion
A huge challenge on the journey to authenticity (freedom) is distinguishing between your genuine, authentic desires and familial/ societal pressures or goals that simply seek to heal past wounds (traumas) eg seeking to achieve a goal so that you can finally feel 'enough' to satisfy a wound caused by the father or mother.
Ego accepts/ concedes or rebels against.
As social beings, of course we seek approval and belonging, it's fundamental and essential to what we are and this can lead us to conform or 'fit in' or rebel and go 'rogue' and 'do it alone'!...rather than living in alignment with our true selves, authentically within the group.....
Ego is fight or fly...either/ or....I love you...I hate you...
By having awareness of subception, you expand beyond either/ or. You begin to 'feel deeper in to yourself'... so as to identify when you are prioritising acceptance/ conceding to current experience or stronger characters and squashing your authentic expression... or when you are going in to rebellion to current experience... rejecting/ dismissing/ running away (mentally or physically)/ ignoring/numbing out (to maintain a false peace) to current experience or stronger characters, over authentic expression.
You can ask yourself if your choices, your movements and your words stem from a desire to 'fit in' and not be rejected or if they stem from a fear of loss of control i.e an attempt to be perceived as dominant etc....OR if they align with your true, authentic feelings and expression. This is how we really begin to become conscious of our deepest agenda with every word and action. Every word and action from the human has agenda :). How are we trying to manipulate the 'others' perspective of me? Am I trying to be seen as 'spiritual", 'caring', 'powerful', 'in control', 'successful' , peaceful, weaker, a victim,a good mother etc....maybe I want to be perceived as harmless and innocent so that they don't hurt me.
An example of sensing deeper would be as you make a decision any decision eg to follow a particular career path is it solely for monetary gain or is it passion?, by noting your true, honest agenda it can help you maybe reassess your decisions....or not...but at least you are expressing consciously...and there's nothing wrong with doing something purely for money as long as you are honest with yourself and doing whatever you decide CONSCIOUSLY.
Becoming conscious of our unconscious drives is liberation or enlightenment!...Reminds me of a Carl Jung quote
“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious”. ...That's all. Nothing more nothing less.
Embracing Vulnerability
Authenticity requires an insane amount of courage and genuine vulnerability, which can be intimidating. When we reveal our true selves, we risk judgment and rejection of our hearts Truth. When we experienced that when we were little (eg showing our natural creative expression) and were rejected or ridiculed we felt crucified!! but have maybe forgotten! Embracing vulnerability WILL lead to meaningful connections and a fulfilling life. In this the heart will feel complete...THIS IS ALL THAT IS EVER WANTED...genuine...authentic connection...seriously it doesn't get better than that!!!
The bells and whistles, THINGS & goals are beautiful, but they really are just the icing. The CAKE is authenticity!...but it doesn't come easy...It is SIMPLE...but definitely not EASY! :).
Subception aids in this process. By tuning into your subconscious, somatic (bodily) sensations (underneath appearances), you begin to face your buried fears and insecurities. All that was too much for a little child to handle so got suppressed in to the shadows. For example, if you feel overwhelmed by sharing your opinions, dreams or ideas or the way that you honestly view the world, understanding the root of that fear can empower you to take bold steps toward vulnerability. This honesty ultimately draws you closer to your authentic self....TRUE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. This is why you are alive!
Practical Steps to begin Utilising Subception for Authentic Living
Consider the following techniques to harness the power of subception to live authentically
Self-Reflection
Set aside time for journaling or meditation to tap into your subconscious storehouse of all that you've avoided and find unbearable to 'be' with...sit still close your eyes and just be without judgement of every arising phenomena.
Maybe journal with the hand that is not dominant...this allows natural...intuitive expression to flow...sometimes "It uuuuugly" and full of hate...THAT"S OK and completely natural...locked up emotions deserve to be liberated!...they don't actually define anything. Better out than in!
Reflect on the emotions and feelings that arise in different situations. Ask your intuition why REALLY do you feel this way? angry, fearful, resentful, threatened, out of control, uncomfortable, judged etc...
Monitor your actions/ reactions. Are they truly yours, or are they influenced by external expectations? Why are you saying/ doing what you are doing/ What is your deeper agenda? What are you trying to get/ achieve by what you are saying and doing? Do you want to be seen in a particular light? Why are you so afraid to be seen in a particular light?
Challenge Negative Self-Beliefs
List the honest beliefs you hold about yourself, challenge them? Are they REALLY true or something you've been convinced of by someone else? notice any that may be negative or limiting.
Critically analyse these beliefs. Are they fact-based, or are they shaped by your past experiences and feedback?
Your authentic Self is not a fabricated construct. It is the deepest...truest...intuitive expression moment to moment....it has no past...it has no story or agenda. It is a clear nervous system if you like, responding directly to actual reality...always and only here and now. But on your way to this continual, clear sensing, backlog or suppressed shadow (emotions) must be integrated :). It ain't pretty but it's the only way to fulfilment, natural peace and contentment.
The autonomic nervous system which houses subception (felt predominantly as a sensation around the gut - hence ‘gut’ feelings) will indicate if you are being authentic or inauthentic moment to moment…really be still enough to tune in...you will feel weak or strong here depending on if your thoughts, words and actions are authentic or inauthentic.
Existential inauthenticity makes the ground beneath us feel less steady…such an abstract concept to try to describe :). If you feel wobbly or inauthentic as you express yourself STOP….then feel around to find words that don’t produce that sensation.
Try for 2 weeks just sensing in to the gut area more than your thoughts, words or actions in the projected ‘play.’
The Journey Ahead
The journey towards authenticity (clarity in thought, speech & action) is ongoing and requires continuous effort and reflection. It's a lifelong journey - not a destination! By being centred enough out of resistance and reactivity of the ego to sense subception, you gain a valuable tool for navigating challenges authentically, gaining wisdom naturally and embracing your essential and unique identity. This is the meaning and purpose of life; to experience YOU beyond conditioned YOU!
As you develop awareness of your subconscious reactivity, you may find that authenticity becomes more attainable. The invisible key of subception opens new doors, encouraging you to explore deeper facets of yourself and thrive instead of merely surviving in a world often demanding conformity.
Embracing Your Unique and Authentic Path
Living authentically is a profound and rewarding journey. Carl Rogers’ concept of subception serves as a beautiful guiding light, illuminating pathways to understand and nurture our false selves to then integrate and reveal our true selves or our Soul. By fostering self-awareness and embracing vulnerability, we open ourselves to the possibilities of living authentically. This is freedom and truly what engenders meaningful connection.
This path requires so much courage and honest introspection, but any other path is to be alive but to not fully live. With the invisible key of subception, the door to a genuine and a 'full' life swings wide open. My purest intention is that you find the strength and courage to celebrate your individuality and navigate the world authentically, and ALL around you will benefit, even if they don't appreciate your Truth!
Remember that the path toward authenticity is a lifelong journey. Embrace the process, celebrate your uniqueness, and let subception; your innermost Truth, guide you to a fulfilling, meaningful and authentic life. xx
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