Dialogue Unmasked

Remember how fun it was to dress up for Halloween?  Transforming our everyday appearance into images of fantasy, fright, or fun?  I wonder if there are others moments where we dress up and masquerade as someone else?

Think back on parties, events or work where you are asked to step away from yourself and come as a different person.  I dread some of those interactions:  it feels like I am judged by how creative or dull people see me.

I have come across many places where masks and costumes are part of the culture:  the Beefeaters (ceremonial guards) at the Tower of London; revelers in New Orleans' Mardi Gras and the Venetian Carnevale; and palace docents in Vienna or Honolulu.

Each has a variation on hiding behind or changing into another appearance.

How beautiful are your masks?
(Photo credit:  Venetian Masks Tradition -
The Real Beauty of Carnevale, Life in Italy)

These examples of mask-wearing transform us temporarily into other people.  I wonder then about the acceptance or resistance of wearing masks to protect us from transmitting or catching the COVID virus: what does it say about our Real Person?

What are we hiding behind?  What do we fear?  How are we being judged?

What is behind your mask?
(Photo credit:  Alex Iby, @alexiby, Unsplash)

These are a few of the questions we might consider as we remove masks that keep us from experiencing our True Self.

• If we project strength at all times, do we fear our human weaknesses?
• If we transmit confidence, what happens when we don't know what to do?
• If we appear all-knowing, is there something we need to learn?

Can we unmask ourselves safely?
(Photo credit:  Coronavirus Mask Parade -
Diverse and United, healthcare-in-europe.com)

Through dialogue -- noticing, sharing what we see, and asking questions -- the masks that hide and falsely protect us are removed.  We begin to see beyond the masquerade that we have it all together.  Instead, True Self to True Self shines light on the beauty that already exists -- hidden behind the mask that has dimmed who are are.

 

Rather than  create a projection of another persona, the Mask Removed allows us to explore the mystery of the Person Already Created.

 

Though COVID masks are  still needed to protect against COVID, I wonder if it is time for us to remove the masks that transmit viruses of doubt, fear, hatred, and intolerance?

 

What masks are you wearing this week?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)