Your own true nature

“I think the source of unhappiness is not that we’ve lost connection with nature, but lost connection with our own true nature, our roots, even if your roots were cemented in a concrete jungle, it provides the connection to where you come from, your true nature. Knowing and accepting, that is key to your wellbeing and sense of belonging. ” Rizel Delano

The question of how to become your true self and live most authentically according to your true nature is one that pertains to every aspect of our lives

All of our goals and aspirations, from the biggest and broadest to the smallest and least significant, are part of the calculus of living a good life.

According the “self-concordance theory,” the most important thing we can do to become our true self is to pursue the goals that are right for us. If we choose wrong – if we pursue goals that do not reflect who we really are, what we care about, and what we are good at – then even if we achieve those goals, we are not going to feel happy or fulfilled.

The biggest problems of your life come when you interfere with your true nature and try to be what others want. (incongruency)

One of the most extreme ancient Greek philosophers, Diogenes, the founder of the Cynic school. pursued a life of virtue but his methods were vastly different from those of other philosophers.

Diogenes believed that by rejecting material possessions and committing to an ascetic life of poverty, one could be free of social expectations and politics. He advocated living a life ruled purely by natural impulses without restrictive social conventions. 

For Diogenes, “he who has the most, is who is most content with the least.”

Often mocked by other ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics got their name from the Greek word “kunikos” which translates as “dog-like.” 

In many ways, this was true. Diogenes argued that we should live according to our natural animal state and allow ourselves to be governed by the rhythms of nature.

But being free from social conventions and expectations, Diogenes did not care what others thought of his philosophy. 

Famously, Alexander the Great sought out Diogenes and asked if there was anything he could do for him. The Cynic merely looked at the young conqueror and requested that he stop blocking his sunlight.