Meditating and Moving around the Mask

Posted on August 27, 2007
Filed Under Meditation, Spirituality |

Mask There is a little technique I like to try every so often during meditation. It’s what I call “moving around the mask”. Now, it’s pretty interesting but also can be somewhat of an odd sensation. The “mask” is what we all wear, it is the face that we present to the world - over time, our emotions and general state of mind imprint themselves upon our body, and in particular upon our face. Heavy imprinting can occur around the eyes and the corners of the mouth. Some people have a perpetually down turned mouth, others hold it pinched as though they have eaten something unpleasant. Whilst some people are constantly smiling with their eyes. These are all reflections of the minds inner processes…written plan as day on the body.

Of course without a mirror you can’t see your own expression, and at any rate, most people tend to miss these subtle signs when they are looking at themselves. After all, if you aren’t aware of what is going on in your mind, you aren’t going to see what is written on your face. Although this does explain why some people don’t like what they see in the mirror.

At any rate you are in the unique position to feel what is written on your face. And there is no better time to do this than during mediation.

I sometimes use binaural beats when meditating, as they can assist with the experience. Binaural beats are very good at brining on a disconnect between the non-physical bodies and the physical body. Just like with meditation were you can guide yourself towards specific experiences, binaural beats will move you towards certain sensations. As the non-physical bodies and the physical body begin to separate, you feel them as two completely separate things. Your sensation of the non-physical will vary depending upon what is occurring; you may feel as though you contract inside your physical body, or expanding out of it and indeed, sometimes you may feel both at once. Or you may feel as though you are floating, spinning or rotating - or any number of other such things.

Now to “move around the mask”, you will need to keep focusing upon the non-physical body and whatever sensation you are feeling. Then slowly, bit by bit - bring your attention to your face. You should start to feel your face as something separate to where your awareness is currently located. Your awareness maybe floating deep inside your body, or completely outside of your body, but in any case it is no matter, it’s simply important to start feeling your face.

For whatever reason (maybe because your awareness is no longer completely in your body, or perhaps because your focus can be stronger during meditation), you will find you can feel every detail of your face. As though your awareness is holding an expertly crafted mask in its ethereal hands. Each and every line around the eyes become pronounced, the set of the mouth feels undeniable. Your awareness is holding an ethereal mirror of your face, and what you feel is the mask that you present to the world.

Slowly move your focus around that mask; each detail speaks of emotions and thoughts you are holding onto. What does that mask say about you? What is it trying to teach you about yourself?

As you move around the mask, you will find that you pick up on very subtle changes in your expression. The mask slowly slackens as the ego releases its grip upon the face and body. Eventually you are left with your true face. Again move your awareness around this face in the same manner…just like the mask of your ego, your true face also has a lot to teach you.

You may find at first that you can’t maintain focus on both your non-physical bodies as well as your physical body for prolonged periods of time. That’s okay, don’t worry about it too much - you will be able to do this longer with practice. I still find my awareness rushing back into my physical body on occasion, whilst doing this.

There is a popular saying about not being able to “judge a book by its cover”. The truth of the matter, is that you can learn a lot from the surface of something. Particularly in the case of a persons face and body language. Our faces carry a “ghost” of what occurs inside of us. That ghost is something that can tell us a lot about other people, and it is something that can teach us about ourselves.

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One Response to “Meditating and Moving around the Mask”

Masks of the Spirit Ways : The Thoughts on September 2nd, 2007 8:18 am

[…] 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 […]
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