The ego mind only has limited degrees of freedom that reflects a limited range of cosmic understanding. When you are around people, you may adopt their ways and accept their judgment. Thus, you begin to sense your impressions are influenced by collective ways of seeing and thinking or group consciousness.
To recognize something beyond the ego mind continuously receives, maintains and processes information is to realize something within is constantly transforming. Natural ebbs and flows are working even when one is unaware. Anything conceivable in mind is nothing but a dream and yet, also a timeless teacher.