Diversity is beautiful. An alpine meadow, a multicultural potluck meal, a creative brainstorm with various views and experiences.
To fuel diversity and, in turn, communities, individuals need space to be authentic. Considering humans and neurodiversity, this requires those of us with marginalized identities to unmask: To shuck the projected need to conform and offer to ourselves rest and joy – and offer to the collective creativity, knowledge, and innovation.
Currently, unmasking is challenging (scary, sometimes) work. Hope exists, in part, in those individuals who can unmask and start a revolution – whether that be in their home, on their city block, at a workplace, in school, in the governance of our states. Good for the individual, good for the community.
So: How to unmask. That means and looks like many things, all with roots in self-awareness.
Meditation a great way to encourage self-awareness, and so we explore ways use meditation to support unmasking.
At One Nice Green Leaf, there is a monthly Meditation for Unmasking workshop – collective care, meditation skills, a moment to practice unmasking. With two more sessions to go (join in), in the winter there will be for purchase (thanks for keeping this small business roaring) a print version and video version because access is love.
In these workshops we explore the whys and how of both meditation and unmasking, practice breathwork and meditation skills specific to emotional regulation, courage, rest, and self-compassion.
You can start this work here, now.
First, from where you are find one object you can see for every color in the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) or for these shapes: circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, spiral. If you are listening to this, you can pause the audio and listen for six different sounds. Go for it – it is very okay to not find six sounds, or all the shares or colors: the goal is to be present in your physical space. Next, be curious about the pace of your breath … the position of your body … the thoughts and emotions you are experiencing. Notice, and ask: Why? And be open to whatever does, or does not, come up.
Practice that here, now – and then try it in a moment when you need to self-advocate (again), or are engaging with a special interest (yay!), or trying something new (be it taking a rest when you are tired or jumping in the river when you want to energize). Consider how pausing and grounding shifts ways you show up.
I am grateful for you, and for this work. Please feel free to reach out with thoughts and questions along the way. Contact
– Cat
Cat Stone
she/her
MA MEd LPCC
Cat Stone 