During extended silent retreats I feel most authentically myself, but when I return to normal life I feel like I'm putting on a costume and playing a role that isn't really me.
More people experience this than they realize.
Sustained contemplative practice reveals the constructed nature of social identity, creating dissonance with conventional lifestyle demands.
“Where Are You with Christian mysticism — the contemplative tradition?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.