PERSPECTIVES

It is an unfortunate fact of human nature that we tend to view whatever is happening to us right at this moment as the most important thing in the world. If we are happy and joyful, it seems no-one could possibly be more happy and joyful at this moment. If we fall in love, the experience is unique and nobody could have felt as wonderful as we do. On the other hand if we are ill, particularly with a serious illness, we are frequently plunged into the depths of misery thinking it is the end of the world and others cannot be worse than are we. If we are struck by disaster; maybe all our worldly possessions are seized to pay our debts, or the love of our life has decided a divorce is necessary. A black cloud descends and we become so miserable, it is impossible to remember that others are often much worse off than us. Like the man who appears to be holding the sun between his hands, this is an illusion.

Keeping things in perspective is a challenge in physical life that few, if any of us, are able to achieve all the time. Our ego has such a narrow focus that when we are in extremis, either good or bad, the senses so overpower our objectivity that it becomes almost impossible to see clearly beyond the narrow confines of those five little controllers. Please do not misunderstand me, the five senses are essential to maintaining physical life; without them we should never have survived as a species and even in these ‘enlightened’ days, they keep us out of harm’s way. However, one of the lessons I believe we are supposed to learn whilst here is to distinguish between those occasions when we need to rely solely upon our physical senses and those when we must subject them to the control of our higher, spiritual senses.

The poet Rudyard Kipling highlights this in his wonderful poem “IF”:

“If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
. . . Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!”

Psychologists have long recognised this tendency of human nature and they set about dealing with it by encouraging people to become involved in various Support Groups, especially where serious and rare illnesses are concerned. By meeting and speaking with others suffering as we are, the isolation that our dominant ego has forced upon us is relieved. We can become objective again. Not right away of course; it takes time to adjust.

I believe that one good way to try to avoid such reactions happening is to use habit. Develop the habit of contacting your inner and higher self regularly. If you do this under normal circumstances, it will become easier to do the same when circumstances are abnormal. How can you develop this habit? It is simple really. Teach yourself to be still! Forget, just for a few minutes each day, the hustle, bustle and din of everyday life. Find a place where you will not be disturbed and sit quietly and relax. You may wish to listen to some relaxing music or to a “guided meditation” spoken by someone else. You and I are spiritual beings and although the spirit enjoys a good time just as much as the physical body, it can only truly make you aware of its presence in stillness. Only then can the promptings of the physical senses be dulled sufficiently to allow your higher nature to reveal itself. Like everything, the more you practice, the more proficient you will become and I cannot emphasise too much the importance of regular, relatively short (say 20 minutes) periods spent in relaxed contemplation. One way to help you achieve this state is to place a flower before you (physically at first but later just imagine it) and contemplate every aspect of it. You will soon come to learn the truth of John Milton’s words, “In contemplation of created things, by steps we may ascend to God.”

Try it if you do not already do so and see how gradually, you whole attitude to life and other people changes. Indeed the reverse also occurs; other people begin to react differently towards you. It will also help you retain a truer sense of perspective so that when triumph or disaster put in an appearance you will be able to treat ‘both impostors just the same.”