We spend our entire lives performing for the approval of others, trading our authentic souls for temporary worldly applause. True liberation begins the moment we stop running from ourselves and dare to face the world exactly as we are.
By Syed Mustafa Ahmed
Wherever we cast our gaze, human beings are encased beneath accumulated layers that smother their authentic core. One donns the layer of religion; another wraps themselves in the thick crust of caste. Some stand guard over an ideological veneer, while others enshrine the idol of nationalism within the inner chambers of their hearts. There are those who incessantly chase the fickle layers of aesthetic beauty, just as others find themselves lost within the grimy, neglected strata of societal ugliness. Within the busy workshop of the modern world, there is scarcely a person who has not been wrapped in artificial layers, trading their true essence for a structured identity.
This systemic concealment of the self recalls an insightful observation by the mystic philosopher Osho Rajneesh, who noted that when a human being appears in the world in their original form, they require no additional layers because they are inherently pure. In that unburdened state, people cease to be defined by polarizing distinctions like small or great, black or white, Hindu or Muslim, Brahmin or Dalit. They transcend these social constructs entirely. Conversely, the individual who fails to remain in their authentic state is compelled to become everything else, forced by societal expectations to don mask upon mask. This perpetual performance is what the poet Gabriel Okara warned against, suggesting that in today’s materialistic world, human beings have layered face upon face until they have become entirely oblivious to their true personalities.
This human tendency toward self-concealment finds unexpected validation in psychological and behavioral sciences. When people become habituated to these layers, they fail to perceive the psychological intervals experienced during the frantic swapping of faces. Eventually, they appear as something entirely alien to themselves. The prevalence of artificial strata becomes so commonplace that an individual no longer recalls which mask to wear, for how long, or in which specific situation to project a highly calculated image of piety before others. Humanity has become a fragile confluence of deeply contradictory elements. As many virtues as are vested in the human spirit, an equal measure of vices is also instilled.
The question that journalists, philosophers, and sociologists must ask is: What causes a person to become so enamored with false layers that, within the vortex of egoism, they develop a pernicious habit of conditioning? Why does authenticity recede so far into the background, while the captivating but transient glitter of the artificial world renders eternal grace insipid?
The root causes of this crisis can be traced to distinct psychological and spiritual fractures. The first and most pervasive is egoism. This malady has capsized the vessels of many ostensibly pious individuals who sought approval over truth. To conform to the rigid dyes of worldly conventions, a person becomes so saturated in varied hues that they ultimately fall prey to their own egotism. When an individual accepts man-made conventions as eternal truths, the accretion of false layers becomes inevitable. Gradually becoming denizens of a deceptive world, such people cannot tolerate anything contrary to their imagined reality. The artificial layers become so fiercely beloved that a constant anxiety grips them a paralyzing fear that these delicate facades might shatter, exposing their flaws and causing the world to deem them worthless. The ultimate consequence of this fear manifests in the ominous forms of false consolation and profound self-deception.
The second reason is a dangerously limited perspective on life. For a person who has never grasped the true purpose of existence, living and dying become purely mechanical acts, stripped of higher meaning. Within the coming and going of night and day lie concealed the universe’s beautiful yet subtle secrets. If the Divine manifests before us in its original splendor, what compulsion should befall a human being to don masks of layers and counterfeit faces, only to temporarily scent their inner and outer grime with the world’s musk? Had we truly understood the depth of life, there would be no compulsion to accumulate these self-deceptive layers. By remaining in our authentic state, we could pass this world’s test and attain immortality, achieving success in this world while securing genuine moments of peace and tranquility in the world hereafter.
The third reason is the exhausting habit of living solely for the sake of others. In other words, a person actively invites storms into their own life just to avoid disrupting the fleeting joys and comforts of those around them. How unfortunate is the individual who gambles away their authenticity for others and then sits waiting, hoping for their own deliverance. Regarding such a trapped mindset, nothing remains but lamentation and mourning. Historically, society has done much the same—striving to please others at all costs, humanity has drifted unawares into deep valleys of grief.
The impacts of this collective performance are devastating. Foremost among them is the absolute loss of inner peace. Due to these false layers, both internal and external tranquility vanish from a person’s life. When an individual’s sole preoccupation is how to appear best in the world and garner showers of praise, peace inevitably disappears from their existence. The constant shedding and reapplying of layers is no simple task; it requires not only immense emotional energy but also a significant degree of unconsciousness to maintain the lie.
The second impact is the outright wastage of life. Fleeing from authenticity to become enslaved by self-deceptive layers culminates in a squandered existence. The purpose of this beautiful life lies in achieving something substantial, honest, and enduring. Yet, due to helplessness and ignorance, this invaluable life is squandered in pursuit of baseless trivialities, leaving no recourse but regret. When God questions us about this life, our tongues will be silenced, and that very moment will stand as clear evidence of our faithlessness.
The third impact is the profound distance it creates from the Creator. A person alienated from themselves can never muster the courage to reach the shore; and if the capacity to reach the shore is absent, how can the courage to reach God emerge? One who cannot stand before their own self in an authentic state, how can they stand before Allah? In such a person’s life, unceasing storms will perpetually wreak havoc, their eyes will constantly need moistening with tears, and self-loathing will inevitably set in.
Finally, this crisis leads directly to the corruption of society. With artificial people proliferating everywhere, societal decay becomes inescapable. A society that, despite being cosmopolitan, strongly urges its members to mind their own affairs with honesty can never succumb to degradation. Conversely, a society infested with the poisonous pests of pleasing others and gratifying egos will naturally witness devastation on all sides.
The need of the hour is for humanity to strive earnestly to return to its authentic state. It is not yet too late. Following the maxim, “Plunge into your heart to find the secret of life,” we must all concern ourselves with bringing about change at the individual level. As Osho writes elsewhere: “Until we become ourselves, speaking of peace and comfort in this world is akin to dreaming the dreams of madmen.” Humanity must awaken. Truth cannot be veiled for long by wearing masks. Truth is the sun; it will scatter its light through the densest clouds. The sun of authenticity rises every day. Our masks continue to fall, yet we are such strange creatures that we cling dearly to these layers, fearing that our reality might be exposed. For a person to be seen and known among people exactly as they are, even if they are a ravenous wolf, is far better than piling artificial strata upon their body. Artificiality in speech, artificiality in movement, artificiality in every sphere of life all must be abandoned. It is infinitely preferable to appear in one’s authentic state. Let us concern ourselves with truly reforming ourselves and strive to fulfill the genuine purpose of this life.
Disclaimer: The views and historical interpretations expressed in this feature article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial stance or opinions of this publication.
Leave a Reply