Quite a word that one! Who am I? Where am I going? And how do I get there? And an intrinsic fourth – who will go with me / who will I go with? ‘My Story – our Story – the Big Story’.
Those are the overarching questions / shape of Authentic Lives. As most readers of these posts know Gayle has been involved in courses, developing schools material, helping train facilitators etc., within Authentic Lives. And of course as one who is unbiased… she is quite brilliant at it all.
There are two courses coming up, one in person (Ashburnham Place) and one by Zoom.
https://www.ashburnham.org.uk/events/authentic-lives (Ashburnham: Tuesday 15th March 2022 4pm – Friday 18th March 2022 10am).
https://authenticlives.org/membership/authentic_lives_online_march_2022_uk1-002/ (Zoom beginning Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm).
Gayle and I are committed to Authentic for (as we see it) the next 20 years; Gayle from within and I will ponce around on the edge. I first met Andrew in passing in 2004, a ‘chance’ meeting as it was the one of the very few times (maybe the only time) that I ventured out into the public space in the Autumn of that year while Sue was undergoing cancer treatment. Andrew was living in Hong Kong, and was visiting London: I likewise ventured out to visit London. We then connected in person in January 2020. Two aspects immediately impacted me. The cleanness on money – and for this reason courses are not charged for – and the person-focused nature of the material (maybe this is the reason why I am not involved; I always wanted to pretend it was simply that the material was over my head).
I do believe we are (globally) at a major turning point. This year I have both written about the cumulative series of events that will destabilise our world and the opportunities to go through one of the ‘four’ doors before us – only visible if pointed in a forward direction. AL / AB is one aspect among many that I believe is pointed to the future. The old parameters, if held on to too tightly, will obscure the possibility, for there is a Cornelius / Peter time here. Conversions within the body of Christ. Choppy waters. Those like the wind, unpredictable – for that was the mark Jesus gave to those who were born again. He did not ascribe the ‘wind’ as a sign of the Spirit (though it is in Gen. 1 and Acts 2). We are happy with it applied to the Spirit, but apparently when the unpredictable Spirit blows it will always blow people in a predictable direction… I think not!
One of the reasons we are attracted to the Ukrainian President, Zelensky is precisely due to his authenticity. A youngish Jew with a name that means ‘ruler of the world’. He is up against an inauthentic posturing Russian, Putin, an elderly fellow, with a name that means ‘ruler of the world’. Which one will win? Are we going with the older guy who lies, who presents a false face to the world, who is unknown really because he plays a role that no one really understands as a disrupter, who demonizes and dehumanizes all others with his imperial ambitions? Or is the world going with the younger guy who is caught up in a terrible, horrible situation but doing his best to be human and to call everyone else to be their best human too? A crossroads? A decision point? A turning point? It is encouraging to see people all over the world respond to the authentic and respect it.
Hi Ann I am unsure of zelensky being authentic? If both names mean ruler of the world does that not simply say that both warring factions are not in submission to The ruler? Zelensky is reported to have laundered billions and owns a 36 million dollar mansion. Not bad for an actor comedian who suddenly came into power. I wonder how he got that? (No one simply comes into power without being aligned with someone or something). Surely in the noise that is out there about both warring parties we should be muting the noise and listening because it’s a bumpy ride ahead !
Hi David:
I was merely commenting that our attraction to him in the news is that he comes across as human and authentic. Yes, he is an actor by training but also a lawyer. It is his moral clarity in his speech that attracts us. Could it be an act? Sure. Could he be corrupt? Yup. But he comes across as authentic – a human being who is caught up in a large terrorizing tragedy who speaks for all such people.
In contrast Putin has never tried to appear authentic or particularly human. His attempts to do so always promote himself as heroic and right and not part of common humanity. He is off putting precisely for that reason. His physical isolation enhances that.
As far as the names go – yes, it is fascinating that they share a name. And fascinating what the name means. I’ve often thought, given the chance, people grow into their names. Perhaps not in an obvious way sometimes. At least, that is the hope many times when children are given names. So perhaps their parents had hopes?! Or perhaps they just liked the name. But we have two men on two sides of a war fighting over leadership of a territory. Both trying to rally their own people to the battle in different ways with different approaches to communication. I have no idea what that all means, if anything.
Clearly Zelensky comes across as more sympathetic and authentic because his cause also seems righteous. Ukraine is not the aggressor here, Russia is. Is Zelensky righteous or perfect? Not at all. But he is authentic which means he is himself, is out there and part of his authenticity is that of an effective communicator.
I have contemplated the authenticity of Putin. He takes great pains to hide himself as a trained spy. However, I think the reason we don’t see him as authentic is that most of us cannot believe someone is so authentically awful. A failure of imagination on our part. When I look at Putin, I remind myself that this is who he is. This is how he has crafted himself and I do well to take that seriously.
Authenticity means to be real and genuine. To be who you are. Zelensky comes across on that much more so than Putin. That is his attraction. But again, Putin can just be genuinely awful and we fail to believe it. Corruption or unrighteousness does not negate authenticity. And yes, we can only wait to see where this all goes.
Hi Ann, thanks for responding. Surely the presentation of zelensky is an act? If authentic is real and genuine, then he would not be hiding corruption and alignments that he has. I don’t disagree with your assessment of Putin as an aggressor but there is an argument that zelensky has partnered with NATO in abusive behaviour to Russia? While Russia could be seen as the physical abuser, NATO and its control of zelensky could be seen as the emotional abuser. Both have imperial ideation. The post today on the donkey struck me as I literally read the passage an hour before the post. So would Putin, zelensky or NATO or western society or even China get on that donkey? I don’t think they would ?!
David.
Hi David:
I think you are giving a lot of narcissistic credit to Zelensky to say he would stay in Ukraine and be target #1 for the Russians, as an act?! He could have fled. Was offered passage out by the USA. Why stay as an act? That presents a pathology that might be a step too far. That would also make him psychotic, disconnected from the context around him. His speech does not support that, while interestingly, Putin’s does.
I think we have to be careful to understand how and why people behave the way they do. Brain research shows that people’s behavior is heavily influenced by context. If your context tells you that all women eat bread for breakfast then it is likely that will be considered ‘good’ behavior and be supported. If your context tells you that all cats are evil and must be destroyed, that too will be considered good behavior. The brain is shaped by context.
If you are living in a corrupt context and corruption is rewarded and encouraged. Then yes, you will likely not question it much. And may engage in it. And may try to hide it. All normal, ‘good’ behaviors in that context. Putin has set up a mafia style extractive, corrupt state in Russia. Certain behaviors are rewarded and others get you in trouble.
So I cannot account for all of Zelensky’s history. I am commenting on him as a communicator. Since the war began he communicates as someone who cares for humanity. Who constantly reminds us of how real humans are suffering in the Russian war of aggression. And doing so while in great physical danger for himself. That lends authenticity to his communications right now.
Not sure what it means for NATO or Zelensky to emotionally abuse Russia. I do know that Russia is a nuclear state and has chosen to attack a non-nuclear state. The power balance is quite unequal here. Putin is also ruthless against any opposition, perceived or real enemies. This is a man who crosses national boundaries to poison people. He has bombed children’s hospitals. I have no idea if Zelensky has imperial aspirations. Certainly Putin has expressed so for decades and follows philosopher that has created an almost cult like persona based on an ideation that Russia will be a great white, nationalist, Christian, imperial power again and defeat the west. That is the ideation Putin has articulated for years. It is his authentic self and again, we do well to take it seriously.
I guess the real questions here are can we recognize authenticity when we see it. And does authenticity require goodness. I would be interested in how Gayle’s program that she is working with addresses all of that.
Hi Ann, great discussion! A lot of what you have said (although I may misunderstand you ) seems to assume that Putin is bad and zelensky is good. I would suggest that both have the same aims. The western media seem to frame things as good V bad, however both should consider riding a donkey! My suggestion on NATO being abusive refers to making promises that they have never kept(eg promising to never move an inch towards Russia and yet they have ). This can be construed as abusive. I am also interested in what authenticity means in the context of what is going on. World leaders are very prone to gaslighting these days and zelensky is one. Trudeau another for blatant hypocrisy. David.
Thanks for all the back and forth on Putin / Russia and Zelensky / Ukraine. Did not expect all that, and in all of this the lines of good and evil are never as clear as we would like.
There are many internet claims of this and that… the wealth of Zelensky seems to be around 1.5m, not the claims made on some sites, those seem to be motivated to throw excessive questions over him. Money in property etc, and mainly through his film and media career.
Of course for all of us is the desire to see this conflict come to an end, and not simply to stop it spilling over. I am pushing for this… revelation as to what to press in for and mercy (maybe the simple word help would better) for the millions caught up in it.
I had a zoom last night and I was questioned on my statement that always the challenge is to find God as Provider and Protector. And I was asked what about Ukraine. Good and a necessary painful question with no answer.
thanks Martin, I think the millions caught up in it will be very widespread and not just Ukraine. So the outcomes will be far reaching.
Take care. D