The Other Side of the River/Being Open to a New Perspective (Radical Self Care #7)

How often are we stuck in our own view and maybe even with blinders on?  But if we take just a moment to step out of it and see in a different way, what a gift it can be in our relationships, our interactions, and even in our own inner development!

Here’s a story that’s a favorite of mine about seeing another view.

One day a young student on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross the wide river.

Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey, he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young student yells over to the teacher, “Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river?”
The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, “My son, you are on the other side.”
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​This story’s such a wonderful example of how we can learn to step out of our own view and begin to see from another perspective. How often do we just get trapped in our own thoughts and viewpoint, unable to move or shift from them?  Of course, we may listen to someone else sharing their thoughts.  But, do we actually step onto their bank of the river in our minds and experience what their perspective is?

When you’re able to do this, it not only helps you to develop better understanding of the person, but this can affect your attitude and behavior toward that person (and possibly even in life!). You begin to develop empathy and understanding of how that one is experiencing life. Your perception of the person may even change.

This inner work of developing perspective is based within our third eye or brow chakra. The third eye or brow chakra is in the space between the eyebrows, just a little above on the forehead.  It encompasses the pituitary gland, eyes, head, and lower brain.

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When developed and balanced, you’re able to see what’s happening from the perspective of an observer who’s mindful.  And you understand what it means – seeing yourself and also the outer world.  You see what’s important and what’s not, what’s meaningful and what’s superfluous.

This chakra is also the home to our conscience. When it’s in balance you see clearly and understand what you see. You have perspective on events and ideas.
You’re open to new ideas and can be quietly reflective. You trust your intuition.

Take a moment right now and think of someone in your life.  Picture yourself as that person – what it’s like to wake up in the morning as that person, go about the day in their activities, to interact with others. Now imagine you, as this person, encountering something that bothers you.  Why is it upsetting?  What lives behind the emotion?  How do you see the situation?

Step out of the view of the other person and come back to yourself.  What did you learn from that experience?  Were you able to see life from their perspective? How do you see that person now? The issues they are encountering in life? Is it different in any way from how you viewed it before?

Experiences such as these help us to develop perspective in our own lives and in the world.

To help balance the brow chakra, we can call upon the Hindu god Shiva who is often depicted with a third eye of wisdom.  He sees beyond the obvious with clear perception and shows what is truth. You can find the Healing Shiva Mantra in my Free Healing Library and chant along with me.