Do you know why people wear masks?

 Do you know why people wear masks?

People wear masks to hide their pain. Everyone wants to appear friendly, happy, smiling.

But the pain doesn't let them, doesn’t go away. So a mask is formed, both physical and emotional, which also works as a shield. Against more pain. The pain of all the frustrations in life, of all the losses, of all the longings, of all the “no’s”. This mask is a defense. Against more pain.

“Nos” as well as “yes” are part of our lives. But with the “yes” we feel that everything is fine, that everything is right. With the “no’s” we suffer. He really suffer. There are people who don't even notice. Like the story of the frog that slowly cooks in a pot of boiling water. The “no’s” keep piling up. There are people who can build good release valves. What I call “resources”. There are people who manage to construct a mask so thin and fragile that it sometimes reveals who the person really is. Even for herself. But sometimes there are masks upon masks. In layers. People are aware of these masks at different levels. Some more, some less. It is almost impossible to live without masks. Totally devoid of vanity or fear of pain. I heard of very few beings who lived without a mask. Ex: Gandhi

The mask begins to be created in childhood. The first time frustration occurs and you have to hide your feelings, from others and/or from yourself, to survive.

How many cries we swallow to move forward. It's in our nature. Masks serve to hide pain, hurt, resentment, anger, hatred and so on.

My role is to help the individual process unbearable feelings so that when can integrate allowing a smoother journey. More possible. Less painful. More fruitful. More integrated. With less verbal and subcortical neuroexperiential methods (somatic experiencing, brainspotting). This is possible, even in less time with a lot of emotional comfort. 

From an understanding, benevolent and compassionate perspective. Mainly with yourself.

 

Bettina Sandel Korall