Conformity

"When we domesticate our minds and hearts, we reduce our lives.   We disinherit ourselves as children of the universe.   Almost without knowing it we slip inside ready-made roles and routines which then set the frames of our possibilities and permissions.   Our longing becomes streamlined.   We acquire sets of convictions in relation to politics, religion and work.    We parrot these back and forth at each other as if they were absolute insights.   Yet these frames of belief function as self-constructed barriers, fragile cliches pulled around our lives to keep out the mystery.    The control and ordering of society is amazing; we comply so totally with it's unwritten rules.   We show up, we behave ourselves.   We obey fashion and taste.   We behave as if we carry the world and were executives of a great plan."   John O' Donahue