Discovering Ourselves Beneath
the Layers

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Peeling Back the Layers: The Journey to Authenticity​

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From the time we’re born, we step into a world brimming with expectations and lessons.
Parents, teachers, media, and society shape us—sometimes lovingly, sometimes strictly—
with the hope of helping us become “good” people. We learn how to behave, what to value,
even how to dream. But as we journey through life, it can become difficult to distinguish our
true selves from the roles we’ve been handed. This challenge is at the heart of both Carl
Jung’s analytical psychology and Gestalt practices.​​

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Why Question What We’ve Been Taught?​

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If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin, uncertain about your beliefs, or
disconnected from your decisions, you’re not alone. Jung wrote about the “persona”—the
social mask we wear to fit in with others. Over time, this mask can become so convincing
that we lose sight of our deeper “Self,” the authentic core that holds our true potential.
Gestalt therapy echoes this, inviting us to notice where we’re acting out inherited patterns
or playing roles that no longer feel genuine.

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Recognizing the Scripts We Follow

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Much of what we do is guided by invisible scripts—unwritten rules handed down from
family, culture, and community. Jung explored how these scripts can become powerful
“complexes,” influencing us without our awareness. Gestalt practice calls on us to bring
these patterns into the “here and now,” shining a light on how past lessons direct our
current choices. By examining these scripts, we start to see which ones support our
growth—and which keep us from it.

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​​How Can We Learn Who We Truly Are?​

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Practice Self-Reflection

• Jung believed in the importance of self-reflection, or individuation—the process of
integrating different parts of ourselves to become whole. Gestalt techniques
support this by encouraging honest awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations
as they arise. Set aside quiet time to journal, meditate, or simply think. Ask: What do

I value? What brings me joy? Which beliefs are truly mine, and which have been
inherited?

• Challenge Your Assumptions

• Gestalt practice invites us to notice our automatic “shoulds” and “musts.” When
you catch yourself following an expectation, pause and ask why. Is this coming from
your true self—or is it a layer placed upon you by others?

• Explore New Experiences

• Both Jung and Gestalt practitioners encourage stepping into the unknown, meeting
new aspects of ourselves through creative activity, travel, or learning. By stretching
our comfort zones, we discover strengths and desires that were hidden beneath the
surface.

• Listen to Your Gut

• Gestalt therapy honors present-moment awareness. If something feels off or
unfulfilling, that’s valuable feedback from your authentic self. Jung described the
“inner voice” as a guide towards individuation—one worth heeding.

• Seek Honest Connection

• In Gestalt, genuine dialogue with others helps us clarify who we are. Jung also
valued deep relationships as mirrors for our inner world. Surround yourself with
those who support your journey and share openly—vulnerability is a path to
authenticity.

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The Courage to Grow​

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​Learning who we are beneath what we’ve been taught isn’t always easy. It takes courage to
question, to change, and to step away from roles that no longer serve us. Jung saw this as
the hero's journey: facing the unknown within ourselves to uncover creativity, freedom, and
peace. Gestalt offers tools for living more fully in each moment, as we continually discover
who we are.​​

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Let’s Begin Together​

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You’re not alone in this quest. Many are asking similar questions, seeking meaning beyond
tradition and norm. As we walk this path, let’s honor both the teachings that shaped us and
the inner wisdom that guides us forward. Share your thoughts, start a conversation, and
let’s support each other as we learn to be ourselves—authentically, bravely, and joyfully, in
the spirit of Jung and Gestalt.​​

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