The Importance of Authenticity to "Mystic Women"

Yesterday morning, my friend August sparked a Facebook debate centered on Alison Nappi's essay "Why You Should Date a Normal Girl Versus a Wild Mystic." I've linked to the essay for your viewing pleasure, as well as for context.

You see, most of the comments in August's feed are about how ego-driven the article seems and about the over-inflated value of mysticism, generally speaking. I agree that the article becomes over-the-top near the end, reading like new age preaching. However, I like the central message, as I perceive it to be. I decided to offer the Facebook community a little food for thought, so to speak. I found it so relevant, I'm sharing again. Here's my response to Alison's portrait of the mystic woman.

Me, in Mystic Mama mode

 Imagine. There is a woman who likes the every day stuff. She is with a man who works very hard to provide his family with the classic American Dream life as he thinks it should be. The cost is his own depression and his family's subsequent misery. The "mystic woman" (as I know her) will dedicate herself to helping him let go of living by other people's expectations and will encourage him to do whatever it is that he would have years ago if he weren't afraid to think for himself. She will do this knowing that it may mean she will not continue to hold the same relationship to him that she has and that the routines which are familiar and comfortable to her may dramatically change. She will be willing to sacrifice that for a more authentic life. 

This does not imply that every man doing the "everyday stuff" or the "American Dream stuff" feels unfilled or is on an inauthentic path. Sometimes, people may be all caught up in the "Age of Aquarius" and sincerely need help getting back to the BBQ, so to speak. A mystic woman will help with that when it's needed. Also, some people are already totally on their own authentic path, and all a mystic woman will do is bring them more deeply and fully into the center of what they are already doing. Authenticity is relative to the person, and the "mystic woman" as I know her isn't concerned with the form that authenticity takes. Rather, she has a sharp eye for knowing whether or not a person is being authentic to himself/herself/itself/etc and is willing to make radical choices (IF needed) to help those she loves embrace an authentic life, WHATEVER that means to them. 

Furthermore, she knows that her own life will benefit when the people she loves most make the changes to be their most authentic selves, and she transforms her own self alongside them, knowing this also may mean letting go of some things she holds dear in exchange for new things which will more deeply fill her heart. There is a grace in this which honors all of a person's experiences (past and present), and it is important (I feel) for people to cultivate and honor this grace.