I had been participating in a year long heart centered business program. Our group was meeting for our final session at a beautiful retreat space in Asheville. While we were expecting to dive into business our first day, in a sudden twist our coach led us in a beautiful mediation then gave us time in nature for reflection. Afterward we were provided with the materials to create a personal spirit horse mask. At first there was the nervous thrill adults have when we are allowed full use of crayons, scissors and a whole host of other art supplies. After a while what we were creating began to draw from each of us something deeper and the masks became much more than a fun art project.
Once created we put our masks on and walked the property.
I noticed how I felt in the mask, my identity feeling hidden even to me. How the structure of the mask itself caused me to have to move in the world differently as I could not see in a forward focused way.
There were two miniature horses, ones I have known for years and who know me and usually pay little attention to my presence. In the mask I was a creature of interest. I sat on a rock outside the fence and took the mask off. It was the mask they remained fixated on. When I put the mask back on then to them I and the mask were the same creature, with the mask off there was the mask and then me, two separate beings.
Later I reflected on the insights I had while wearing the mask.
What masks do we wear?
Are they masks of empowerment, like those worn by superheroes or used in indigenous ceremonies? Or are they to hide some aspect of ourselves that we reject or feel would lead to rejection?
Is it a mask we have chosen to wear or was it in some way forced upon us?
How often are we fixated on the mask and not the person, even if the person behind the mask is us?
When I hear “if people only knew…” I feel the pain of someone who has donned a mask of separation. There are two separate beings, the one with the mask and the one without.
Sometimes my work with someone is about temporarily and with honor setting a mask aside. I say temporarily and with honor because the mask served a purpose, and may still do so, because it is not about the mask but about the wearer. The mask aside the process begins of clearing away the limiting beliefs, of changing the internalized stories and telling new ones. The process of coming into alignment and becoming a heart centered being is unique for each person.
The authentic mask worn with a sense of pride and strength is beautiful.
The Mask Of No Judgement
Who am I with the mask?
Who am I without it?
Same?