In my on-going tribute to the spiritual teachings to be found in pop star Lady Gaga, I want to highlight a profound gift she offers that is often misunderstood: permission.

In most religions and cultures around the world there have been sacred clowns, holy fools, and mystic mavericks that have the special role of breaking rules and norms in order to help the society evolve and grow. These crazy teachers typically live and operate outside the norms of their society and a critical function is to remind people that the dogma and rules of the community are intended to liberate people and not keep them stuck. When we become too attached to our roles, rules and assumptions about morality, they cease to function well.

Our traditions are at their best when they are dynamic, responsive and pointing us to a higher mystery and power than what we control as people.

Lady Gaga defies boundaries and some people think she “goes too far” or “makes no sense” or “offends the dominant cultural norms”… well, that’s the whole point. The biggest trap that most people are caught in is finding the sense of permission they need to make a change, ask for help, or choose a new direction in life. The biggest challenge most of my clients face is not a lack of clarity about what they love to do, but a lack of permission to act on it. When people like Lady gaga break massive taboos and norms, it’s a simple way of saying, “if I can do this, then surely your views, needs and tastes cannot be that ridiculous.”

In what area of your life do you wish you had more permission? Work, family, love??? Remember, permission is not something given, it’s something felt. Don’t wait for permission; choose your life.