4. A note on authentic power

It’s a beautiful thing to witness the deeds of those living their authentic selves or walk your own path toward authentic embodiment. Life is guaranteed to be most exciting when you seek out people, teachers, stories, words, art forms, ideas, visions and pay attention to what people have been able to create from their own lived experience. Or similarly, reflecting on your own notes, the ones that have shaped the person that you are becoming.

Authenticity has taken more of a front row seat in my life in the last 5 years. Before that, I was more about beauty, individuality, not being ordinary and a few other ego driven pursuits. It’s not that I think beauty is a superficial element or creating a self unique to you is not important – not at all, but I now feel they are more meaningful as supporting pillars of a deeper soulful search.

And as for not feeling ordinary, I’ve never felt more ordinary in my life than I do now. Yet, I feel more enriched by a sense of worthiness, aligned to an internal authentic power and a growing expansion of self.

There’s a powerful quote by Gary Zukav from his book ‘The Seat of the Soul‘, that goes:

“When the energy of the soul is recognized, acknowledged, and valued, it begins to infuse the life of the personality. When the personality comes fully to serve the energy of its soul, that is authentic empowerment……every experience that you have, encourages the alignment of your personality with your soul.”

I love reading those words. The energy of our soul, infusing the life of the personality – and our experiences quietly serving that alignment between who we are and what we are here to become.

There are words that exist and are used for the sake of words and then, there are words that exist that create deep meaning. Not that I believe words are things you can throw around, not at all. The great Dr Maya Angelou has famously said:

“Words are things…. they get into your wallpaper, they get into your rugs, your clothes and into you.”

Words are magic. They are hypnotic! They create our reality. Which is why when I encounter words that reveal something true and divine and make me come to a complete STOP, unable to do anything else but ponder their meaning, I feel beyond grateful. Grateful to witness the revelation of someone else’s authentic inner experience and grateful for the revelations and new found meanings.

Now, since this blog is inspired by NYC, a recent visit to Ralph Lauren’s flagship store at 867 Madison, felt fitting — a study in the light yet complex layering of authentic living.

Why does it feel authentic? Because you can sense that this space is beyond trends, you can feel its sense of aliveness, outmost care, love, and devotion poured into both the grand spaces and the smallest details. The feeling of stepping into Ralph Lauren’s personal home is palpable. It isn’t even about richness; it’s about attentiveness — the layering, textures, colours, objects, wood panelling, tasteful art and the understanding of the relationship that ties it all together and brings the space to life.

If you’ve seen photographs of his home, you get the sense that the store is an extension of his personality — a reflection of what he finds meaningful, elegant and of the beauty he feels personally connected to. That inner aesthetic seems to transcend the space itself. It’s a gallery where fashion becomes a way of living.

P.s also visited the The Ralph Lauren Women’s and Home Flagship store – right opposite (also worth a visit, especially the home dedicated floors), with a very cute Ralph’s Coffee Shop downstairs.