--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before we can become who we really are…" description: "\"Before we can become who we really are, we must become conscious of the fact that the person who we think we are, here and now, is at best an impostor ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/thomas-merton-231_awakening_before-we-can-become-who-we-really-are-w_2943089.jpg" --- # Before we can become who we really are, we must become… ![“Before we can become who we really are, we must become conscious of the fact that the person who we think we are, here and now, is at best an impostor and a stranger.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/thomas-merton-231_awakening_before-we-can-become-who-we-really-are-w_2943089.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/thomas-merton-231_awakening_before-we-can-become-who-we-really-are-w_2943089.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/798/thomas-merton-231_awakening_before-we-can-become-who-we-really-are-w_2943089.jpg) > “Before we can become who we really are, we must become conscious of the fact that the person who we think we are, here and now, is at best an impostor and a stranger.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests we must realize our current self is an impostor before becoming authentic. **In simple terms:** Current self is a mask. Key Takeaway Awareness precedes authenticity. Themes self‑awareness identity spiritual growth truth impostor syndrome Mood introspective thoughtful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - therapy - journaling - spiritual retreats - creative work Key Concepts psychology existentialism mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What masks do you wear? - How can you uncover your true self? A Different Perspective Self‑realization can be unsettling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awakening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awakening/) [Best Impostor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-impostor-816913/) [Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Here and now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/here-and-now/) [Impostor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impostor/) [Impostor Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impostor-stranger-816912/) [Person Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-think-370102/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Before we can realize who we really are, we must become conscious of the fact that the person we think we are, here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/before-we-can-realize-who-we-really-are-we-must-become-conscious-of/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Memory is corrupted and ruined by a crowd of memories. 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