As humans, we are shaped by two core needs: safety and freedom. These needs often seem to pull us in opposite directions, creating a paradox that can feel overwhelming and confusing. On one hand, we long to feel safe and secure—rooted in relationships, environments and practices that make us feel held. On the other hand, there is a deep, intrinsic yearning for freedom—freedom to express our true selves, to explore the world and to expand into the fullness of who we are.

In the Jungian world, we understand that this tension of the opposites is not a problem to be solved but a dance to be honoured. This is where authenticity is born—a jewel that emerges from holding space for both safety and freedom.

The Need for Safety
Safety is the foundation upon which we can build our lives. It is the felt-sense that allows our nervous system to relax, our body to soften and our mind to quiet. Without safety, we are stuck in survival mode, constantly scanning for threats, unable to fully engage with life or ourselves. For those of us who have experienced trauma, this need for safety is even more pronounced. Trauma teaches us that the world can be unpredictable, and as a result, we may find ourselves over-prioritizing safety, seeking control or isolating ourselves.

Safety, in its truest form, is not about shrinking or constricting. It’s about creating a container where we can explore, heal and ultimately, come home to ourselves.

The Call for Freedom
Freedom is the counterpart to safety. It is the desire to break free from the constraints that bind us, to express our individuality and to be fully alive. In our somatic sovereignty journey, freedom is not the reckless abandonment of boundaries but the ability to live authentically, to embody our truth without fear of rejection, shame or harm.

Without freedom, we can feel trapped, disconnected from our own essence. We may play small, suppress our desires and abandon our dreams to maintain a false sense of security.

The Paradox: Holding Both Safety and Freedom
So, how do we reconcile these seemingly opposing needs? It is in the balancing of these two forces that authenticity arises.

In somatic terms, we need both regulation (safety) and expansion (freedom) to thrive. When our nervous system feels safe, we can expand into freedom, expressing ourselves more fully. And when we taste freedom, we often return to safety to ground and integrate the experience.

The key is to honour both needs without making one wrong. We are not meant to choose between safety or freedom, but to dance between them, allowing each to inform and support the other.

Authenticity as the Jewel
Authenticity is the natural byproduct of this dance. It is the expression of who we are when we feel safe enough to be free and free enough to be safe. Authenticity is not about perfection or performance; it’s about being real. It’s about showing up as you are, even when it’s messy or vulnerable.

In this way, authenticity is a jewel, not because it is rare or unattainable, but because it is precious and requires care. It takes time, practice and compassion to polish this jewel, to allow our true selves to shine in a world that often pressures us to conform.

Cultivating Authenticity in the Somatic Sovereignty Journey
As part of our Somatic Sovereignty community, our shared journey is about learning to hold space for both safety and freedom in our bodies, our relationships and our lives. It’s about recognizing that authenticity is not a fixed state but a process of becoming—a dynamic and fluid expression of who we are in each moment.

Whether you are deep in the work of healing past traumas or exploring new ways of expanding into your truth, remember that authenticity is your birthright. It is the jewel that shines brighter each time you choose to honour both your need for safety and your desire for freedom.

Let’s continue to nurture this precious balance together, finding the places within ourselves where safety and freedom can coexist, so that our authentic selves may flourish.

In somatic sovereignty,