Layers – The Masks We Wear and Live
As I sit here writing this post I have been working with some layers in photoshop on a drawing I did several years ago. Mostly just fooling around with the different things that I could add on or take away with different sets of layers. Hence I began thinking about the vast amounts of layers that make up the average adult human being. It is quite startling just how many different shades and colors we wear and are capable of displaying to others as our aligned and presented fronts.
I don’t know that it serves for me to go off on the tangent of listing all these different aspects, as I am sure you readers are well aware and it is nothing new that I’m presenting. However, I would like to offer up this thought on the subject of layers, masks and different shades of persona. I know that in my own life these layers have served as a defense structure, a way to keep things safe, ordered and happening to me on my terms, as is best for me (that being my ego, my fearful shadow, that part which can never comprehend existence without it). And so many great lengths are take to preserve this identity that creates safety.
At my core being I believe that these layers mostly serve to keep us safe inside of a box, a safe zone and a zone that cuts us off from our infinite ability to grow and become anything under the sun. New things can seem so challenging and daunting that it is easier to create a mask of rationalization for why venturing into new territory isn’t right, doesn’t serve our goals at this moment, is better put off for some other time, etc, etc, etc…Now I know I touched on these thoughts in my last post, but perhaps I need to dig a bit deeper into the layers here…something compels me to write more.
A mask is a very interesting thing…it can itself be anything…take on marvelous shape or frightening proportions, it can be sweeter than a tooth-ache or colder than Siberia. What is interesting is that masks can take us to places that would seem to be great areas and grand achievements. By virtue of a mask an entire persona can be created and implemented (a model of change and accomplishment, bountiful growth). It is however only a facade, not a real part of soul and hence will never have with it the infinite possibility. It has a cap to go along with it, a limit and a breaking point: A temperature past which it cannot survive. I believe that it takes a fine level of observance to evaluate what is being accomplished by way of a mask or a defense layer and what is being accomplished through alignment with our soul’s core intention and purpose on this earth. It is very easy for the mind to trick us and have us seeing and believing that we are on a true path, a path of soul.
How is it that this mind can be such a clever architect and thief, a robber of our infinite design. What sort of trickery is this mass inside our heads capable of? It is capable simply of this, keeping you in a state of identification and belief with it and its thoughts. That really is it…if you begin to disassociate with the mind as the voice of direction and guidance and align with the stillness behind the mind’s chatter, then there begins to be a light that shines through. A beacon that seems to be calling you toward a point of truth that rings certain and more clear that anything you’ve ever heard in words or felt in thoughts. This alignment can only be described as being outside and beyond the mind and in this state you will live life for life. We live because we are alive, in this present moment, in this peace, in this stillness. Like a breezy day in the meadow, so still behind the breeze, the crickets chirp, you almost hear the flowers moving, calling you toward this calmness that recognizes the innocent child behind the years, behind the identity, behind the careers and everything else. It all fades away to this meadow; you, nature and the circle of life, boundless, border-less and free. Free to be just as you are, anything and everything.
Blessings to you on your journey,
Andrew
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Andrew Hand is a singer/songwriter, composer, author and producer in NYC. He seeks to convey a message of positive thought and empowerment to others through direct communication, truth and authenticity. See Andrew’s recent website creations: A Trip to Egypt and A New Look at AndrewHand.com
