Masks can be used to disguise egoistic intentions as in the examples you cite. Masks can also be used to shield ourselves from the egoistic intentions of others. Masks can be used to facilitate ease of interaction for whether the intention is egocentric, altruistic, or spiritual.
Most importantly, for a religious/spiritual perspective masks can be a way to step out of our accustomed ruts and identifications and open ourselves up to other, deeper aspects of ourselves. Donning masks in this sense is similar to the use of metaphor, parable, allegory, etc to present spiritual lessons and truths which cannot be presented directly in language because of the inherent limitations of language. On May 11, 10:18 am, Molly Brogan <[email protected]> wrote: > Joseph Campbell is probably our best known contemporary expert on the > subject of masks, and his work including his massive studies, Masks of > God and Masks of Eternity, offer his keen insight into our own > abilities to don a mask and uncover the masks we find. > > What is it about us that put on our masks? What about us creates the > need for one? When do we confuse our mask with who we really are? > When are masks useful and when do they become obstacles for us? > > I’m not talking about the functional, physical mask such as > theatrical, surgical, protect and disguise mask etc. I am talking > about the mask of persona, the way we pretend to be one way and are > really another. Politesse is a good example and can often be a > cultural custom. When our words and mannerisms are polite, but our > actions and innuendos aggressive, we are wearing a mask. When we > profess undying love as a means to an end, and walk away in the > morning light, we are wearing a mask. Sometimes, we lose sight of our > own masks and are confused about who we really are. Why? > > What do YOU think? --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
