Shift in Perspective

Sometimes all it takes to go from suffering to peace of mind, from sorrow to joy, from anger to love, is a change in perspective.  It's so easy, and oh-so-human to be certain that the way I'm seeing and feeling and understanding something is the ONLY way, and the offspring of that certainty are many, from anger to resentment, from disappointment to frustration, from fear to confusion.  But illusion is also the offspring of certainty; it's your certainty that prevents you from seeing the illusion.

If you're certain - absolutely certain - that you're seeing things the one right way they can be seen, but your own ability to be loving or compassionate or helpful is missing, then there's a really good chance your premise is wrong, or at least limited.  Because when you see through the eyes of truth, even if you're not getting what you want, you'll have enough perspective to maintain the best in yourself and be at least a little generous with others.

Try it next time you're angry and frustrated and shut down.  See if you can't shift your perspective a little, be a little more open to other ways of seeing and understanding, and being generous with yourself first.  You might just find that all the internal suffering your own frustration is creating is a bit of an illusion, and that there's so much more that is real and worth your attention and energy.

For more cool street-art illusions, visit Julian Beever's website at www.julianbeever.net/.