“A single ego is an absurdly narrow vantage from which to view this–this experience.”
— From the movie Waking Life
I could quote from the Verve and say I’m a million different people from one day to the next but that is a hopeless exaggeration . Still it seems easier and easier to switch hats especially when something is bothering me and view it from a different vantage point.
I’ll give you an example. Lately I’ve taken for me an unnaturally large interest in politics. It’s very easy to look at what’s going on in the world today and become angry and frustrated. I did and several other emotions besides. However when I step back and look at everything as part of a whole that beyond time and space shines like an infinite jewel than everything I see today is part of a large unified beautiful whole. Things will play out as they will play out and things may shift but it is all complete. It helps
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t do what we can to make the world a better place. While that ‘lofty’ balance definitely lends perspective, it does squat for the development of compassion. Nor are those the only two possible perspectives. Indeed it is helpful to shift gears and look at things from the ‘reality tunnel’ or point of view that is radically opposed to your own or one (or a few) in the middle. Little by little the more I have done this the more relative reality seems to me.
Blessings, G
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Abstract Lovers by G A Rosenberg
Good post– I know what you mean & I try to focus on these issues in a similar fashion [But, alas, I’m starting to get the feeling we’re all in for the fight of our lives in the next few years– Hopefully it all starts to turn around!] Have a great day over there!
Thanks. Yes it looks like the ring has entered Mordor as we sit in the campfires knowing that orcs and Nazghuls lurk around us (metaphorically speaking) for sure. Tho my concern is that I hold on to the beauty that remains worth fighting for rather than losing myself in pondering the iniquities tho I do both as well as realize that the reality lies beyond either. Oh well enough metaphor mixing for the moment. Hope your day is fantastic as well =)
Well said, man. I’ve never been one to cower in fear or gnaw my fingernails off with worry– So I’m going to continue to live the way that I always have– For as long as I can– In other words, I know what you mean!
Ah, good quote. When the world seems particularly bleak I always remember that there were people in many points of history, and often very far back in time who thought that the world wouldn’t survive that time, or that everything was falling into decay. Every time period, it seems, has its ups and downs, and moments that are frustrating or even terrifying. I suppose that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is going to be rosy for me personally, or for those I love, or for my country or anyone else’s. Also, as a “common” person, I often feel I have little control over the events happening around me. Perhaps that is why so many religions and philosophies teach that worry is a waste of time (easier said than done, eh?).
I find shifting viewpoints most helpful when I am faced with a relationship that is difficult. So often when I allow myself to be upset by my perceptions of another person’s behavior, I am selfishly thinking only of how that how person is affecting me, but I’m not thinking about how I’m affecting them, or whether or not it’s reasonable to expect them to know my position on the matter. We no longer grow up in communities full of people with similar perspectives, expectations, and life experiences, and so to expect others to see the world our way, and then to be hurt or offended when they do not, is a recipe for frequent frustration or despair. Like you said, it’s not that we shouldn’t try to be better the world or ourselves, but we also have to learn to accept that others look at it differently, and that viewpoint isn’t a personal attack on us.
Thank you, by the way, for your blog. It’s always nice to have a daily new perspective or inspiring quote to kick off the day. Even if I’m not frequently verbose about it or obviously present, I am around and enjoying the moment.
Thank you, your comment has truly made my day and I appreciate it..
Yes realizing how many points of view there are is a big help.
The rest of your comment leaves me with much to ponders well. Thank you,
G