Perspective Matters

 

“A Matter of Perspective”: On Awareness, Shifting Angles, and the Dance of All Things

“Viewed from the side, it’s a range; from the front, a peak.
Near or far, high or low—it always appears differently.
We fail to see the true face of Mount Lu,
Simply because we are in the mountain.”
— Su Shi (Song Dynasty)

This classical poem we learned in childhood is incredibly fitting for this topic. When we reflect carefully, we realize that our views of the moon, of people, of situations and objects—everything changes when our perspective shifts. The moon, for example, appears as a crescent, full moon, waning moon, or even during an eclipse—all depending on where the Earth has moved and how the moon has changed positions, even though we’re unaware that we’re being taken along for the ride.

Each of us, standing in different locations on Earth, sees the moon differently. While people in the Eastern Hemisphere may see a new moon, those in the Western Hemisphere might see a full or waning moon. If we forget or are unaware of this positional difference, we might easily end up arguing about whether the moon is new or full. If we viewed it from space, however, we’d understand where Earth sits in relation to the moon’s light.

Or take something simpler—like the plates in our kitchen. When stacked in a cupboard, we see their sides and recognize them as dishware. If some plates are especially beautiful and we display them vertically, they transform into decorative pieces. If one happens to fall and shatter, we instantly understand the need for caution, as broken shards can cut us. These are all changes brought on by shifts in angle and context. Which leads to a curious question: Is the plate still the same plate? My answer would be: yes and no.

The plate’s appearance changes, even though its material remains. And our psychological state shifts in response to how we perceive those changes. In fact, our experience of these shifts—be they emotional or cognitive—is also rooted in the different angles or even spacetime perspectives we occupy. This is why blooming summer flowers lift our spirits, while autumn winds bring a chill to the heart. Different perspectives on the same thing bring different responses. This silent drama plays out every day, yet we rarely notice. We’re often unaware because we haven’t learned to see things from a detached perspective—and such detachment must begin with self-awareness.

This principle can be applied almost like a mathematical formula to all things in life. Take relationships, for instance. Many people feel one way about their partner during courtship, but after marriage they feel their partner has changed. 😂 Some even feel deceived: “This isn’t what you said before—how did things become like this?” The emotional gap grows. In reality, it’s because both partners have shifted to different positions than where they stood during dating. One or both of them may have failed to adapt to this new rhythm. I hear this often, and it’s truly interesting.

This brings us back again to self-awareness. If we wish to reduce such shocks and conflicts, we need either direct personal experience, or a fundamental, objective understanding of how things tend to unfold—including the ability to perceive change and anticipate its outcomes accurately. Without firsthand experience, we need to observe from a third-person point of view—one that is not tinted by subjective emotions or judgments. And we also need an objective view of ourselves.

In my experience, people need to feel things directly, reflect on them, then observe again—only then can they begin to form internal rules that don’t unconsciously exaggerate or label every event. This explains why people who are more “in the drama” tend to have stronger emotional reactions. They’ve taken it personally—of course they’re upset! 😁 But this emotional charge often leads to high blood pressure, heart problems, even hysteria. Yet the situation is still the same, the person is still the same. Getting upset doesn’t fix anything. Changing partners might help—or might make things worse.

Our parents’ generation had no guidance for this kind of inner understanding. Many of them lived in prolonged internal struggle with themselves and with their surroundings—born into hardship and living in hardship. Over time, It’s impossible for them to have stayed healthy. I’m truly glad that more people today are starting to see this, beginning to observe, reflect, and seek methods of guidance that work for them. As this awareness spreads, the intense clashing between people—or between humans and nature—also lessens. We no longer feel such deep insecurity or a desperate need to win every battle.

And honestly—if we truly defeat our “opponents,” will that make us feel better? Not necessarily. What we need is dynamic balance and harmony. Just like lions and gazelles, tigers and deer, humans and the rest of nature—we coexist. And if we separate ourselves entirely, extinction follows not far behind.

In the end, isn’t the real goal to live in harmony with all things, to be one with nature and the cosmos, and to find joy in unity with ourselves?

#self awareness  #Perspective shapes perception