Perspective

I often do a simple perspective exercise, especially when frustrated or angry. I use memory of satellite imagery to zoom out from my location to a space view of Earth. Then I zoom out further and further, until this galaxy is barely visible from deep space. I relish my feeling of liberation among the distant stars. I breathe deeply as I do this visualization. I have gotten good enough at this to be able to use it in a stagnant supermarket line. Rather than watch the octogenarian lady count out the thirty-seven pennies from her coin purse, I do this visualization.

 

Perspective is mutable. This is perhaps the most important survival skill of the human frontal lobe. Changing perspective can make the difference between violent rage and compassionate understanding with practice. Changing perspective keeps us from getting stuck and depressed. Some rely on expensive travel vacations to change their perspective. This must be nice, but it is the wealthy and lazy person's method. Changing perspective in the loud shared bedroom of an urban tenement takes courage and practice. It is much easier to turn to religion.

 

In a way, I am my perspective from moment to moment. My perspective could be grounded in a negative self image, for example. Then I would be defensive and possibly aggressive as a defense. If I maintain some control of my perspective by practicing the use of my own brain, I can proactively affect my perception and mood. This is all part of the foundation of practicing compassion in everyday life.