Bed of Procrustes

There's a story of Procrustes in Greek mythology.

Procrustes was a property owner from Attica, situated in between Athens and Eleusis, and he was infamous for his unique style of hospitality.

He used to abduct travelers, bring them home, host them well, and want them to sleep on a unique bed. Procrustes wanted guests to fit perfectly in that bed. Those who were too tall for bed had their legs chopped off with a sword, and those who were too short were deliberately stretched in a devilish manner.

Now, think. Aren't we all obliged to fit into Procrustes' bed?

We're all on Procrustes' Bed. Cut or stretch to the size of the bed. squeezed. Forced to adjust to the bed. This could be due to a lack of understanding or receiving only restricted knowledge, limited only to the size of the bed. We are cut to bed size rather than having the bed made to fit us.

That bed contains the same definitions, concepts, terminology, predefined and exported ideas/narratives, careers, societal values, beliefs/moralities, idols, social recognition, and so on.

Procrustes operated on us at our size with such surgical skill that we barely recognized what we had been through. We rarely recognise where our sorrow comes from.

These Procrustes are all around us. In the shape of idols, ideals, Gurus, mentors, friends, social media, neighbors, relatives, family, parents, spouses, and even oneself. Everyone is there to cut you to the size of a "bed."

Isn't it better to try to get out of that bed?! At the very least, let us endeavor not to be Procrustes for others, especially those nearest to us.

Allow them to sleep on their own bed; do not chop their legs to fit the size of your bed.

Greek Mythology #Mythology #Story