Houses at one time had only slits to let in light and to let out smoke.This used to be in the roof as a house was just one space in which living was shared.

Nowadays most houses have quite large windows.We like this as we love the light ; we love to look out to see trees or to see people go by.So windows were designed for the people living inside a house.(Prisons were often devoid of light)We all like to see out but something designed for one function—to let in light and air also has consequences that we may not have realized.. if we can see our ,others can see in,for example.I know people do this as I have a foolish neighbor who passes comments on my books.Not only that but she comments on my feet and my clothes.

Some of us put lace curtains on the window to stop people looking in .Buit they also cut down on what we can see out there and the light is reduced.

It’s the same with our ego.We have defense mechanisms to protect us but they also cut down on what we can perceive or receive.They are barriers,

So in both cases we need some defense but too much will handicap us.

This is the enigma of windows and doors.We are prisoners without them and we are vulnerable when we have too many.We must live in a tower or a castle or a house….balanced between security and the excitement of discovery and new perceptions.