Visualizing Authenticity

How often do you feel authentic in your day to day life? 

Maybe you feel most authentic in certain roles or with certain people, but in other roles you have to wear a mask and perform?

Wearing a mask is a perfect metaphor for how we protect ourselves from being too vulnerable in the world. They make us feel safer even when we feel imprisoned by them. 

As children, we are completely free of masks. This is a special time in which we are uninhibited and free to be ourselves. During our preteen years, we become more aware of others and what they think. Masks begin to form in certain environments so that we feel safe and accepted.

Can you remember when your masks started to form?

As we grow up, these masks become a part of us and we no longer notice them as we go through our day to day. At the same time, we become more aware of our suffering (e.g. disconnection, sadness, anxiety). Just like the mask has become part of us, it is easy to believe the suffering is part of us as well. We often do not realize they are connected and dependent on one another! 

As we become more Intraconnected, we can begin to peel off the layers of the mask. We can begin understanding who we really are and allowing others to meet that person. We can allow the weight of the mask to fall to the floor and experience the lightness of the world when we are free from its burden. 

Think about the masks you hold on to. Recognize how they protect you but also how they have harmed you. How would it feel to drop that mask to the ground and allow your authentic self to be seen?