Open Heart Chakra
I have to give credit for the inspiration behind today’s post to Rev. Kevin Bucy of the Universal Spirit Center. The theme for the month of June is, “Experiencing the Power of the Authentic Self”.
I’m going to paraphrase a story he shared with us on Sunday.
There’s 2 monks walking down the path. One, old and wise, the other young and learning. All of a sudden they come to a stream crossing and there is woman that is stranded and wanting to cross the stream. The stream is moving quickly and she fears that crossing the stream will be very dangerous.They pause for a moment and then the older monk picks the woman up and carries her across the stream to safety. The woman thanks the monk for helping her and they continue on their way.
Before long the young monk is seething. He’s incensed with what the older monk has done and has to voice his outrage. The young monk questions the old monk…”Why did you pick up that woman? You know it’s against the rules of our order to touch a woman!” When the older monk responded to the younger monks outburst he came from a place of calm, a place of integrity, a place of love.
At this point in Rev. Kevin’s talk he went on in several directions asking us questions but this is where I’m going to go with my take on his message. Sorry Rev. Kevin.
If you’re doing any kind of online marketing then I’m sure you’ve heard of Personal Branding. Developing your brand…You, Inc.
To have any success with this it is vital that you be authentic. People will see right through you if you are not genuine, not sincere, or authentic…not You! The importance of creating You, Inc. correctly or not can be the real deal breaker.
Do it right and your chances of success are magnified. Do it wrong and your online presence will look like a ghost town.
So, let’s go back to the 2 monks. The young monk was very upset with the older monk. In fact, he was outraged and he let the older monk know it. Yet, when the older monk addressed his questions and concerns the older monk was very calm, very centered, very authentic.
What was going on with the younger monk? Was he angry? Was he in fear? Was he jealous? Something was going in within him. Was he being authentic?
Yet what happened with the older monk? He stepped out of his comfort zone. He took a risk and did something against the order of his sect. He helped a woman cross a stream to safety. And, when challenged on his actions he was at peace with what he had done. Was he being authentic?
To me, being authentic means being vulnerable. Being willing to take a stand for what you believe, in spite of what others believe. Knowing that your reputation may be in jeopardy but doing it anyway.
To accomplishing this we must be in touch with our heart. We have to be willing to open our heart and let the love that is there flow out to others. Coming from an open heart place, a place of love, produces such positive energy. It’s your authentic self! You are bound to attract amazing things simply because of who you are being.
Give of yourself. Share the gifts you have been given. Be of service to others. Foster the movement of mankind forward. Do this from a place of love, an open heart and you will find your authentic self. When you are here in this space you will have found your power and your life will be in the flow of life.
If you enjoyed this post I’d appreciate it if you’d share it on Twitter and Facebook. If we all can get into the Power of our Authentic Self the world will become a different place. Not only that, You Inc. will become an outstanding brand that people are naturally drawn to.
Until next time, go out and Live Your Best Life!
Don,
Outstanding! Coming from a place of peace and integrity and following your heart is so empowering. It’s amazing what shows up when you can be open and vulnerable.
Thanks for sharing this great insight today,
Val
Val Wilcox recently posted..Have You Started Your Bucket List?
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Don Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Thanks Val,
I’m glad you appreciated the post. Some of the most amazing things happen when we figure out how to get out of our own way. When we are open at the heart the world is such a wonderful place and great things happen when you are in this space.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Don,
I love what you said at the end of the post about being of service to others & sharing the gifts you have been given. So many times outside influence and opinions can cloud who we truly are. We have to stay true to what we believe in & who we are! Great post, thanks!
Take care,
Becca
Becca recently posted..5 Mindset Marketing Secrets
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Don Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Thanks Becca,
I learned awhile ago the importance of honoring myself. The funny thing is, sometimes i forget that. So, it’s always good to be reminded of it.
To thy own-self be true.
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Hi don,
Being authentic is the only way to live life, in my opinion. Following the voice inside your heart, your head, your soul is what makes the difference in a life well lived. The parable of the monks shows us that doing what is right can be perceived very differently through the lenses of different onlookers. Both the older monk and the younger monk were being authentic to who they were in that moment. It is not for onlookers to judge one or the other as being the better man. Each behaved according to his authentic self.
It’s one of the toughest things to do, too: to sit back and not be in judgment of what others do when what they do goes against our sense of self. But isn’t being able to do that the definition of true self-actualization?
Mary Lou
Mary Lou Kayser recently posted..Predictably Irrational: The Keys to Your Success May Be the Opposite of What You Think
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Don Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Mary Lou,
I love the addition of your comments. Yes, on the one hand both the monks were being authentic in what they believed. However, the story was a little longer that I shared.
As you know the younger monk challenged the older monk but I didn’t really share what the older monk’s response was. The wise older monk said to the younger one; “I left the woman at the river…you’ve been carrying her for 2 hours.”
This opens a new twist on the parable… maybe we’ll go down that road next week.
Thanks!
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It sounds a lot easier than it is. Being yourself… approaching life from your heart despite your head.
It’s really a lot easier to live life on the surface. Do what we “should” and act in a manner that defies criticism.
You give us good reasons to take on the more arduous task of risking our appearance, and swimming in the deep end of the pool.
We know that’s the challenge we must face, but sometimes we just have to hear it. Thanks for doing it so eloquently, Don.
David Merrill recently posted..Cash or Crash? Lead Conversion Strategies
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Don Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 5:58 am
David,
Yes we “know” but do we “do”? Thinking it as you said is easy but doing it is another story.
Thanks for dropping by. Have a great day!
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Thank you Don! You are a fabulous writer! You had me hooked from the beginning! I agree with what you said with all my heart! In this business, online marketing, it’s all about personal branding. Reality is, the ‘real’ us will show! Some people my try to create an illusion of being something that they’re not, but with time, it will all be revealed! The goal should be to become what we want to be! It’s all possible, then we’d be authentic!
Linda G. Cox recently posted..How to Write Captivating Headlines
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cSuch a beautiful Post Don!
When we are living our truth, we are growing, we are empowered and we are a light to others. We are joyful, because we are being authentic and taking responsibility for our life and our actions. By being authentic and genuine, we are being in service to something “greater” than ourselves.
In the case of the older monk, it was within his heart to help another fellow human being and his faith demonstrated that God carries each one of us at ALL times.
Thank you Don for sharing your Beautiful Message.
Gena
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Don Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Gena,
The older monk is very wise. I sense that you too have many of his characteristics. Taking responsibility for our life and our actions is vital to connecting with your true authentic self. Sometimes I think it takes a lifetime to attain.
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Hey Don,
You not only told a GREAT story… but you are the story!
While the words of the young monk rebuking the older monk carried a sting, Your words carried the intonation and the response of the older monk to my ears as though he was present. That’s authentic!
It’s a great analogy to segue into marketing, but more powerful still, as a way of being!
Thanks for sharing the lesson… I think Rev. Kevin would be pleased.
Chris McCargar recently posted..Choose Today
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Don Reply:
June 10th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Thanks Chris for the compliment. I’m glad you heard the voice of the older monk.
Right after I posted this I sent a link to Rev. Kevin letting him know of his inspiration. He also enjoyed it.
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What a beautiful story and beautiful message here! I find it interesting, all the talk of “finding your authentic self”, because isn’t that who we are without having to think about who we are? I know we live in a culture where people have so many layers that it’s sometimes difficult to peal them away and let the world see what lies underneath, but that is the only way to create real, authentic relationships! It starts with each of us! Thanks Don!
Beth Allen recently posted..The 5 Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle
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Don Reply:
June 11th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Thanks Beth,
I like what you said about being ourself without having to think about it. To me, that’s sounds like beginning with the end in mind. It’s a great place to be and where we all hope to arrive one day but the process of getting there is sometimes just not that easy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Hi Don,
I think we see examples of the two monks every day. So often the anger or outbursts we see come from secondary anger, which is almost never the real reason a person is angry.
You are so right about being authentic in your online branding. People are attracted to people who are being themselves and not some ‘made up’ version for the online world. After all, it’s the unique flaws we all have that make us incredibly human!
Michaelé
Michaelé Harrington recently posted..A Brand New YouTube Feature To Add Value To Your Email Marketing Campaign
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Don Reply:
June 11th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Michaele,
Thanks for your thoughts, The real beauty comes in through when we show our warts and all. The willingness to be vulnerable and “let your hair down”. I think at that point we are much closer to our authenticity.
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I feel Good energy from you through your blog. Thank you for sharing.
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Don Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 6:07 am
Thanks for stopping by Rebecca, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Thank you Don for sharing this beautiful story. Your interpretation is truly inspiring. I particularly like the part about being in touch with and opening the heart…..you clearly wrote that story from the heart and your authenticity shone through loud and clear. Looking forward to your next post.
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Don Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Louise,
Thanks for your kind comment. When you get inspired from someone’s story and can share it in the same tone then I guess you understand their message.
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Don,
What an inspiring post. It is so easy to get sucked into being a robot online and just trying to duplicate the so-called “gurus”. Be true to yourself and what you believe in and your blog and business will thrive. Remember in life we all attract our own friends if you want to have real friendships present yourself for who you really are. Great stuff my friend.
Scott
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Don Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Scott,
You’re right, it’s too easy to get sucked into all the nifty automation tools that are available online. Every “guru” has a beat of their own drum. Finding our own and following it will position you in your true light.
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Actually, I have been frustrated by so many recent claims of acting “authentically.” I feel it is a hard concept while at the same time overused. I liked the part of your definition that says – “Being willing to take a stand for what you believe, in spite of what others believe.” But, is it possible that as MaryLou and Beth suggest/imply that both monks were authentic since both were acting out what they believed? If so, and if as Beth says, everyone acts authentically, then is there value in advocating it? Often I see people string being authentic and being transparent. I think they have a different meaning and shouldn’t be thought of as more or less synonymous. Awesome comments from others with lots to think about.
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