I know Scotoma isn't talking to me about being upset over criticism, because I thanked Scotoma for additional information and gave merit to the MBTI information provided. But really, from reading 2000+ psychology books, you must have seen even the experts getting "upset" over their differences. You should at least be able to come up with your own theories on authentic self. Here's mine:
None of the following is from any Steve Hassan book.
The false self (or the cult personality) of a believing Jehovah's Witness is that part of them that allows Watchtower to be their guide in developing their opinions on all matters of things. It suppresses the authentic self often, sometimes even all the time.
It typically gives the illusion that such opinions are genuinely from the authentic self. It may be an inner critic when it is combatting the authentic self- "What would Jehovah (actually the Watchtower) think of my desire? Would Jehovah consider my thoughts or feelings or actions as sin?" Such an inner critic would be guided primarily by fear.
Constantly cycling thoughts over and over can be an indication that one is in the false self- possibly continually justifying the decision or belief that the authentic self wouldn't agree with. An example could be justifying how political involvement would not only displease Jehovah (Watchtower) but that it actually wouldn't make any difference, where the authentic self is very conservative or liberal and wants to vote and put the right person in office.
Generically, (not cult specific) the false self is simply misguided energy that was created at some point for survival, like the example of joining a gang and going along with whatever they do. For a JW, the survival part can do with the idea of everlasting life or simply maintaining contact with friends and family.
The authentic self is our true essence, guided by intuition which may or may not be trained. It could be our best guess of what to do or think when not consulting the Watchtower. Our on-the-fly reactions to situations. A JW could say there's nothing wrong with personal research in secular materials until they discover that Watchtower is against such research. The true authentic self made such a decision and later the false self suppressed it when it let Watchtower be its guide.
If one doesn't consult Watchtower or thinks that their authentic self is in harmony with Watchtower already, thoughts from the authentic self can be met with ease and peace. It is typically only when considering or discovering a conflict that such thoughts cause fear and panic.
