Masks of the Spirit Ways

Posted on September 2, 2007
Filed Under Meditation, Society, Spirituality |

Native Masks It seems that many of the native and tribal peoples understood the nature of the masks that we all wear very well. Many of their masks and other carvings look odd and often over exaggerated - no doubt there are many theories as to why they were made like this. But here is another observation to add to the list.

As I wrote about recently, we can learn to “move around” the mask we all wear on a daily basis. These masks are the set of our features and expressions, of the face we show to the world. When you are able to move about your own mask, you become very familiar with it. One thing that is very noticeable about our personal mask during meditation, is the sensation of over-exaggerated features. For example, the edges of my mouth are one of my strong physical features, it’s only a slight thing, yet the sensation of this feature of my mask can be so powerful during mediation that it feels as though the edges of my mouth far exceed the space of my face. The same applies to the eyes and the brow. Perhaps you have slightly raised eyebrows, yet when “moving about the mask”, this feature will feel very obvious as you notice every single detail about it.

This gives a very different insight into those ancient carved masks, don’t you think? Many of these tribal people are and were very spiritual, they had a stronger bond with the inner world than modern people. So no doubt they often had similar experiences of what I call moving around the mask.

Try it for yourself. During meditation or if you don’t meditate then simply sit there and pay closer and closer attention to your face. Eventually you will feel your own mask - next get a pencil and some paper and draw the impressions you get from your mask. Don’t worry about realism, and don’t worry if it isn’t very flattering (mine certainly isn’t) and besides no one else has to see it.

Mask

Now compare that drawing to the style of carving from some of those native tribal masks. Striking resemblance in style isn’t there? All too often those old ways are dismissed as superstitious or an oddity. The western world doesn’t understand, because we spend too much time looking out at the world, and very little time looking inward at ourselves.

Isn’t it amazing how many places there are where we can find things to learn about our inner nature? Are there any little bits or tricks that you have picked up over the years?