Masking
Masking
The masks we wear, the persona shaped by societal expectation and personal insecurities, peeling away layers of an onion revealing the core of our authentic selves beneath. When we embrace our true essence stripped of the pre-tense and self-judgement we create space for genuine emotional growth and connectedness.
Masking is the act of hiding one’s true self out of fear of judgement or ridicule from others. We all have a side to our personalities which we do not display in specific scenarios. You wear a different mask for the people at your work in comparison to your family. Persona, or mask, as we communicate with others of the outside world. Identity displayed through an act performed for the wellbeing of others, the act performed so we may seem sane or be one with the rest of our peers in society. Who is the one under the masks, the authentic self, and how do we bring this enlightening state to fluorescence.
Hiding Oneself
Alone we are ourselves, with others we are the mask which covers us. The true self we hide, the persona we play we display to others. As we navigate the world through a false self how do we ever find who we truly are. How deep do we hide ourselves within the mask we display, how much do we show who we truly are. Our true self being pushed deeper to the depths of isolation, screaming for a place in the world, as the ego takes control. Ego being the false self, the masks we cling to, the masks we regard as ‘I’ while we are in the company of others, but the ‘I’ which is not the inherit person whom we are beneath.
Judgement and Self-Judgement
We hide to alleviate judgement. A mask is that which is meant to be perceived as normal or likeable for those we interact with. We act to the favour of others as we believe our true self to be abnormal. Judgement is the bearer of the mask, as to avoid judgement we create an alternate being to navigate the environment. When we perceive others are judging, a wall goes up. Even when still judged, it is preferrable to be judged for our false self then the authentic one underneath. Though although the mask is a cover to protect us from the judgment of others we conform to, self-judgement persists. Self- judgement is within us and targeted towards the perceived authentic self, it is one of the reasons we hide ourselves so much in the first place. It is unruly how common an individual regards their true selves as weird or abnormal. It is as though everyone believes something is inherently wrong with them, this constant ridicule only reinforcing the depressive state of self-denigration, reinforcing the burying of one’s true nature and the upbringing of masks to replace us. Almost everyone does this, there are depths of course but at the end of the day we play in a world of masks, and as one’s authentic self is above the realm of masks it is meant to be different, genuine; it is too bad we all perceive ourselves as the problem and not the linear course society tells us to follow. People judge, and that is ok, you will not care for judgment when you learn to truly be yourself.
Consequence (Losing oneself, depression)
When one has fallen to the depths of the mask too deep, one can lose oneself, the true self depressed, screaming to be unleashed. Masks follow a scale, a scale based on how much they are indulged in and the extent to which they cover the authentic self. When the authentic self is supressed completely one likely becomes depressed. As they deliver an act to the world the view of themselves becomes increasingly skewed; I am the actor as the true self is too different to be unleashed. We like beating ourselves up, we beat up the true self without it even being understood, how are you meant to understand your true self if you never let it out. When you are alone is it free or are you still judging it? Why not just let it be, let it roam free without perceiving it as such a horrible aspect of oneself. Release your own doubts around it, release the authentic self into the world without judgement for yourself to start with, and continue to slowly allow it to express itself to other trusted individuals when you are comfortable. Depression occurs when we are unable to freely be our authentic selves, the masks have taken over completely when navigating the outside world, giving the real us to chance to breath. Confusion occurs when masks have pushed our true selves so far down that we can no longer differentiate the difference between the mask and our true self, we are trying to be something for others, and it is their perception which is the identity which we cling on to.
Authentic Self
Authentic self is described as the genuine you, the one who is just being with the moment just as they are, no thought towards perception by others or the identity of oneself. Just as there are depths to masks, there are depths to the authentic self too. Given we are mostly navigating this world through masks, an event you may encounter the authenticity of oneself and another is through an exchange of vulnerability; one is truthful and open with another individual sharing completely what is on their mind, and in exchange the listener gives up their mask and elicits a little of their true self in return. Authenticity does not have to be vulnerable either, it is more so genuine, and letting go of the restrictions you place on yourself. If you are free to be just as you are, then you are free, and others sense that and begin to slowly unravel their masks when interacting with you. An exchange, authenticity loves authenticity because it is very real, and I mean very real, there is a freedom to it unparalleled to this masked world, anything and everything can come from these conversations, and all we have to do is understand each other’s true selves, that’s all the authentic self wants, a place in this world, to be understood and accepted by another authentic self. An enlightening experience in life is to encompass fully your authentic self in all situations and this requires letting go a little. Letting go of how others think you are and who you perceive yourself to be, we become the aware presence which encompasses each moment as it exists before you, you see everything, and just be completely as you be from this place of pristine presence, not conforming to misthought brought about in the head. Awareness is intelligent, it can navigate situations truthfully and authentically without our brain fogged input. When the masks come down the world opens up. We are all uniquely funky individuals which all wish to give up the act we bury ourselves beneath so frequently.
