Unmasking Ourselves: A Conversation with the Imposter Within

Throughout our lives, we often grapple with complex questions of identity. Who are we, really? How often do we present an altered version of ourselves to the world, for fear of being seen as flawed or vulnerable? We carry within us an 'imposter' - a false self that stubbornly blinds us to our true potential, and a 'shadow self,' the darker, unacknowledged aspects of our personalities. Today, we're exploring these elusive aspects of our identity and how we can learn to embrace our authentic selves.

Brennan Manning and the Imposter Self

According to the insightful book "Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning, "Our false self stubbornly blinds each of us to the light...We cannot acknowledge the darkness within." This resistance to confront our flaws, our weaknesses, our 'darkness,' often prevents us from fully expressing who we truly are. Manning further notes, "We even refuse to be our true self with God - and then wonder why we lack intimacy with Him. The deepest desire of our hearts is for union with God." It seems paradoxical, doesn't it? That we often hide our true selves, even from a higher power, and then wonder why we feel so disconnected.

Thomas Merton on the Illusory Person

A similar sentiment is echoed by the wise Thomas Merton: "Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person, a false self...This is the man I want myself to be but who cannot exist, because God does not know anything about him." Our false self is the persona we want to present to the world - the perfect, unflawed version of us that feels safe, acceptable, and in control. But this false self can never truly exist because it's disconnected from our authentic being.

Writing to Your Imposter: A Self-Reflective Exercise

Now, here's an intriguing exercise. Try writing a letter to your imposter self. It may feel strange, perhaps even uncomfortable. You might feel like you're splitting yourself in two. But as Manning says, "Hatred of the imposter is actually self-hatred. The imposter and I constitute one person."

So write this letter with kindness and compassion. Recognize why your imposter exists – because once, you thought you needed it to protect you. But as you write, gently let your imposter know that it's okay to step back, that it's okay to let your true self step forward, with all its flaws and its beauty.

Imposter Syndrome vs. Imposter Self

Interestingly, this conversation about the imposter self often leads us to another topic - Imposter Syndrome. It's a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud." While they share a similar name, Imposter Syndrome and the imposter self are quite different. Imposter Syndrome relates more to doubting what you do, especially your achievements, whereas the imposter self is about doubting who you are at your core.

Embracing Authenticity: The Journey to Self-Discovery

Navigating the journey to self-discovery isn't straightforward. It's about acknowledging, understanding, and accepting who we are, in all our complexity. It's about lifting the veils we wear, unmasking our false selves, and stepping into the light as our true selves. It's about embracing both our light and our darkness. And by doing so, we can create a more authentic relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the Divine. It's a journey of courage, compassion, and deep self-love.

Remember, this isn't just a blog post; it's an invitation. An invitation to explore your depths, confront your shadows, and welcome your authentic self into the light. An invitation to Unmask Yourself.