mask exercise

The mask is an articulation of the subconscious mind. The 'image' of the mask,
not to be confused with 'character' or 'personality' amplifies this voice, this breathing
thing. It is made of carved wood and smooth lacquer, eye holes, and a space where a
mouth will be. Gazing at the white expressionless maw, the hands thumb the ridges, it is the arc of a
bleached bone, there is a drum thud in the sternum, and desire.

The first impression is a surprise. Use two hands. Never let the mask touch the floor.
The other five are pink, and submissive, comical. This mask is white, and powerful.
The compulsion to dominate this group comes out of nowhere, is overwhelming, makes
the sound just come, a low rumble, a growl. They listen and fall in.

The men are easy. The gibberish spoken in the work with the masks is high pitched with them;
the women so low. They are not men now, just greater distances between floor, hands, and mask image, but
they become something else. Everyone moves and plays, converses and discovers.
It is terrifying to control this way while so utterly out of control. And we are told to go deeper.
The small frame is filled with heat and the thump thump thump of this role.
Though a game, this is not false power. One should always be aware of masks.