"To find yourself, think for yourself." -Socrates
The capacity for human mimicry is perhaps without limit. It is in our genes. Our brains are designed for it. Primates are masterful imitators. Monkey see, monkey do. Humans are even more sophisticated. We copy one another every day--sometimes without even knowing we are doing so, other times with full knowledge of our choices. We imitate skills so that we may grasp them. We imitate habits so that we may embody them. We copy affects so that we may internalize them. We repeat stories so that we may live them. With all of this mimicry going on, the question that emerges is, "How can we ever truly be authentic?"
In the 1990s a group of Italian neurophysiologists proposed the existence of a special class of nerve cells called mirror neurons. Most of their work was originally done with macaque monkeys, but it has been expanded to include birds, rats, humans and other primates. The studies demonstrated that certain motor neurons became activated both by performing an action and witnessing someone else performing that same action. In other words, by simply observing someone drinking a glass of water, the macaques' brains would fire in the same pattern as if they had been the ones doing the drinking, thus mirroring the activity.
The discovery of these unique mirror pathways led to an explosion of subsequent experimentation. Mirror neurons and their special characteristics quickly became the leading explanation for various unsolved phenomenon in human cognition, such as imitative learning, the development of language, the emotion of empathy, the theory of mind, and self awareness. It is also one of the leading explanations for understanding disorders like autism and schizophrenia, which show a marked lack of mirror neuron function. Obviously, copying is a crucial component in humanity's success, but it is also the first step in a much more expansive journey toward human authenticity.
Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist and protégé of Sigmund Freud, is most famous for his work on what he called the "collective unconscious." He sought to understand the unseen forces that guided human behavior including the dark and destructive side of our nature. He believed that, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are," but also thought that, "The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” This speaks to the process of "integration" in which one accepts the shadow elements of their psyche as well as the more socially appropriate elements. Only through integration can the true power of our potential be reached and our true destiny be owned. Radical acceptance. Daring authenticity.
Jung's collective unconscious also holds the answer to resolving the tension between mimicry and authenticity. He saw the collective as a reservoir of all knowledge, both human and beyond, that exists in every one of us. This knowledge is preformed, instinctual, and responsible for informing each individual's unconscious and conscious actions. This is the reservoir from which we pull when we are learning new things, because the material is not actually new to humanity, just to us. Hence our proclivity to mimic. However, when we begin to use what we have learned in unique permutations, then we are moving into the realm of authenticity. We are using our desire to explore and have new experiences. We are creating.
The act of creation is the single most rebellious act any of us can do. The more authentic the creation--the more truth that it embodies--the more expansive the effect that it will have. Throughout human history there have been a handful of major breakthroughs that have created brilliant fractals of future flourishing. There have also been countless smaller revelations along the way. Neither is better. Each represents a step towards growth, and each is not without the consequences of the shadow that they cast. That is the reality of authenticity. It will always contain the dark elements of its creator.
Through creating, we are also implicitly accepting responsibility for the creation. If the effort is genuine, then we have nothing to fear. If it is malicious, then the creation will destroy its maker. We are called, then, to always aim upward with our efforts and to remain vigilant of the possibility that we may be deceiving ourselves. The path toward authenticity is littered with perils and dead ends. We may get discouraged and think that we are no good at our pursuits. We may be called to forever mimic, or worse, quit. It is important to remember that what we seek is always right in front of us, and we are the only ones who can uncover it. We need only have the courage to do so.
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