The view from above is a meditation technique from stoicism. It’s a way of really seeing our circumstances for what they are, and to see the world from a different perspective. Its purpose is to help you step back from a narrow view of the world, a view that’s focused on the petty details of daily life. It’s a way of seeing things clearly, to not be afraid to take in the world like it is – for better or worse.
The view from above involves focusing on what’s going on in your surroundings, but then taking a step back and seeing it from above. This can help you see things from different perspectives, and to recognize that everything we experience has meaning and purpose – even if it may not seem like that at first glance.
Where did the view from above originate from?
Sometime in the first century AD, a Roman philosopher by the name of Musonius Rufus wrote a book called ‘The Lectures’. In it, he offered a different perspective on how we should view our lives.
He taught that everything happening to us has its own purpose. We shouldn’t be concerned with what’s going to happen in the future, or what we’ve done – but rather focused on what’s actually happening right now. And that we should accept and embrace it in full, regardless of whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant.
Musonius used the view from above as a meditation technique. He said that when you focus on what you’re encountering, you should distance yourself and see it from an elevated perspective; this makes us able to take in the world objectively and see things for what they are. It’s a way of moving beyond what may be holding us back – to not let our own subjective opinions and bias affect how we see the world around us.
This kind of meditation can help you see things in a different way, and can help you look back at your life – anything that’s happened to you – in a new light. It’s a way of looking at the world objectively, without all the internal baggage.
How do you use the view from above meditation technique?
To practice this technique, first, get yourself into a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Try to clear your mind of everything else and focus on what’s going on around you right now. Try to separate yourself from the surrounding distractions and focus on your surroundings.
Try to take a step back from everything that’s going on around you and try to imagine yourself as someone who is ‘standing above’ the events that are unfolding around you. This is hard to do at first, but if you can get a feel for this, it can be really useful.
When you find your perspective in this exercise, concentrate on trying to see things objectively – even though what’s happening may be unpleasant or unpleasant at first glance. Try to see things as they are, without your own internal bias or your own personal opinions.
You should concentrate on where you’re at right now, and on the surrounding events that you can see happening in front of you. These could be actions that are taking place right in front of you or words. Just try to make sense of what’s going on around you. Don’t let yourself get distracted by other thoughts; try to stay focused on what’s happening in the present moment.
Once you’ve done that, try to imagine yourself in a similar situation but from a different time. Think about how you felt before when these events took place. Try to think back to your own perspective of the world then, and how you wanted things to be – and how they actually were.
Try to hold this thought in mind as it can really help you see things differently and take away the sting of unpleasant experiences.
Getting through the day with a more objective perspective
This meditation is a really useful way of taking in what’s going on in your surroundings. It can help you approach any situation with a more clear and objective perspective, helping you see things for what they are. It can also help you see the bigger picture and how everything that happens in life has its own purpose, even if it may not seem like that at first glance.
By concentrating on the things that are happening without your own bias and opinion, you can step back and try to view things objectively. This practice really helps you to see the world in a different way and can help you get through difficult situations by giving them a new perspective.
This technique is a great way of looking at things from different angles, and approaching any situation with an open mind. It can help you focus on what’s happening in front of you, and to understand how the events unfolding around you actually affect you.
Practising this meditation regularly will help to train your mind into seeing things differently – which can make us better able to accept the world just as it is.
What are the benefits of the view from above meditation?
This mediation technique has a number of different benefits, it’s a way of taking in what’s going on around you without any bias or opinion. It features stoicism as a way of seeing things clearly, and not let your own opinion and prejudices affect how you see the world around you.
When we get caught up in our own perspective of things – what happened before, or our own expectations – it can be really hard to see the bigger picture. This technique can help us to step back and take a wider and more objective perspective of the events unfolding around us.
This way, we can see things from a different perspective, as if we’re floating above everyone and everything taking place in the world, which can help to break through our own bias and ignorance.
This technique is also used for de-stressing: by mentally seeing what’s going on around you from a different angle, it helps you come at things from a calmer place, restoring balance in your mind. It can also help to help you get relief from anxiety and stress.
Why should I do the view from above meditation?
This meditation is a great way to take in what’s going on around you, helping you through stressful situations that are taking place in your life. This technique can help you see the world for what it is, rather than letting your own biases and prejudices influence how you see things.
It’s a way of approaching situations with an objective perspective, without letting circles of uncertainty hold you back. By concentrating on the things that are happening around you, you can start to see them for what they are.
This practice helps us to take in the world with an open mind, without letting our own personal biases and prejudices stop us from seeing things clearly. By seeing situations from a different perspective, we can overcome our own fears, anxieties and doubts and accept the world as it is.
By seeing things from a different perspective, you’ll feel calmer and happier, with the same objective viewpoint.
Why not try a guided view from above meditation
For those of us who struggle to get in the zone through the instructions above another great way is to use guided meditation. The below links feature the view from above meditation by Donald Roberton and read by Mark Chappell.
