"A dream is a piece of reality...whose meaning is pregnant but uncertain, and whose fate in the world of the waking-ego lies in our own hands. If we treat it with respect, it serves us. There is never any doubt as to its underlying concern for our ultimate welfare." James Hall
When I came across this website I was so excited to see the information provided on dreams and the Iroquois and its reference to Six nations and the Iroquois. The title of the page was "THE IROQUOIS DREAM EXPERIENCE and SPIRITUALITY " Immediately, I began deliciously devouring the stories, histories and connections to depth psychology and the dreams, practices and rituals of the First Nation's people. I felt that I was in my element, and my sense of purpose was full throttle. The stories and myths grabbed my fascination immediately and I realized how the "Great Spirit", the Creator brought this wonder to me. Thank you!!!
My first impression and connection was to the first mask. At once, my mind began thinking of the look of my new blog and its layout and how that intriguing picture would be "perfect". I didn't see the irony in this reaction until I later read the description of the mask "First Mask: False face"
Yes, there it was and it was undeniable. The persona, or the false face smiling back at me, laughing at me, the mask ridiculing me out of my awareness.
As a person who had to hide a key element of my ancestry while living a family life filled with much denial and shame, the mask or the face I project to the world has taken me along way. The lies I have told myself and others in order to be accepted, to "fit in" and to succeed, have been a heavy burden. The hurts I have caused and endured in order to "save face" have cost me in so many ways. Pretending, denying and blindly accepting non-truths in order to be accepted, liked, to succeed and "keep the peace" have caused me great damage over the years. And what for? The illusion of social acceptance, the illusion of being worthy and "good enough".
The Iroquois mask "The False Face" reminds me of the ridiculousness in believing or taking too seriously the masks I wear, and the importance of remembering that any mask is not secure or permanently fixed to the soul. It can come off at any time.
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Colleen
Here is a link to this wonderful website:
http://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/iroquoisdreams.htm
