To thrive in our current environment of fast and constant change, aggressive challenges and hard lessons we have to be all that we have within us to be. We have to know how to relate to others effectively and we have to know ourselves.
But what is our real self? What is the real you that lurks behind the mask you have developed during your lifetime?
We all become adepts at adapting our behaviour to fit our current circumstances – we put on a mask. Be this mask one of cruelty or kindness, happiness or depression, generosity or selfishness, it is an illusion.
Our masks are often donned for good reason, indeed their occasional use is appropriate in much the same way as we wear different clothes for different events but, when these masks become stuck, they cause stress, unhappiness and discontent.
We are conditioned from our early years to conceal our true feelings. Men are told to be tough so they hide behind a mask of anger when they feel hurt. Women are supposed to be nice and so disappear behind a mask of hurt when they need to express anger or indignation.
What does this concealment of the real you cost?
To know ourselves, to be authentic and to achieve a way of living and being that allows us to reveal our true selves – we must learn to live without our masks.
I am at a point where I believe that the only way to achieve wellness of mind, body, spirit and soul is to allow the deepest truths within us to come out. This takes courage.
Thoughts? Views?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wonderful post — Beautiful writing — Thanks for this!!
I believe that we are always aware of who the “Real” person is behind our masks. In every action we take, every day of our lives, we are consistently making choices.
One one side of the possibility of choices are actions that our “little self” — our ego — the “masked person” — wants to take. One the other side are the choices that our “Real Self” — that part of us that is filled with love, wisdom and compassion — wants to take.
One example I can offer here is one that I’ve been taking notice of over the past week or so — and that is how so many of us are choosing a fast, overly scheduled life, over one of slowing down and enjoying life.
Wherever we are, from one day to the next, the Earth is moving at the same speed. Yet, in the modern world, we’ve convinced ourselves that the world is moving faster, and that speed is the way to make our life work. Under the pressure of tight schedules, commitments, and over-burdened “to-do” lists, we think we can accomplish more if we speed through the day. There we are, parked outside the grocery store, checking our list of things to buy while we are either taking to our mother-in-law or texting someone on the cell-phone, and mentally planning our next activity of the day for our business.
That sort of self-generated speed creates its own power and momentum, which begins to rule us. It’s a form of small-mindedness that blinds us to what life truly has to offer — the opportunity to develop our wisdom and compassion. With this “speedy mind”, we find it difficult to enjoy the fruits of our labor, our love, or our life. We can’t relax.
When we speed around, are we mastering our life, or are we hanging on for dear life? In order to master our life, we need to learn to be content with life as it unfolds from moment to moment. We don’t have to buy into “speed’s game plan”. We can slow down. Eating fast doesn’t make food taste better. Getting angry over traffic, doesn’t make it move faster.
One way to get out of the cycle of speed, is to learn to meditate. That will give you the opportunity to slow down for a short time each day — to step out of the cycle of speed. If we choose to run on the clock of wisdom and compassion, the clock that our “Real Self” uses, we can accomplish even more without racing around like headless chickens.
We don’t have to speed. With love as our only appointment, we have all the time in the world. We can put all those “ego masks” aside, the ones that represent anger, jealousy, pride, and regret. The face behind all those masks is the face of love, wisdom and compassion.
It’s a choice. It requires determination, or courage as you mention, to take the time to simplify our lives. By doing so, we regain space and the only thing we lose is speediness. We learn how to float, carried by the winds, taking the time to appreciate what we see in every direction. We learn to relax.
(Sorry for the length — I got carried away!)
With love and peace …
I just posted on my blog about hypocrite. We live in a world of everything seems perfect. The fact is not. So, just be true of ourself and enjoying with friends that accept who you are. Cheers~