Anais Nin reflects on her analysis session with Dr. Allendy and speaks of the deforming mirror that each of us carries in which we see ourselves not as we truly are but instead as we perceive ourselves to be. This reflection in the mirror is based on patterns developed as a child as we learn from adults around us what is acceptable, what to believe, what is beautiful, what is good, what is right. She says that once this deforming mirror is broken, only then can we be whole and experience joy.
Henry Miller is helping Anais break the mirror by bringing her out of her shyness and solitude and into the Paris cafe life filled with discussions and storytelling which often go on until dawn. She wants to be a part of intense and joyous moments, but her fears tend to hold her back. Dr. Allendy tells her, "Until you can act perfectly naturally according to your own nature, you will never be happy. The more you act like yourself, the nearer you will come to fulfillment of your own needs. Any experience which answers to a deep need of your nature is right."
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