If I sit by myself and imagine seeing through the eyes of others, I get an imagined version of their views, motivations, stressors, etc. But I can’t know someone else’s reality. So I feel a sense of humility at my attempt, and at the range of experiences that people must have. Maybe the endeavor teaches me the value of really listening to someone vs. imagining how I think they experience things.
Your post excites me,
dear Drea,
because it’s the truth . . .
we can’t know someone else’s reality,
not fully.
We each carry within us
our own unique experiences,
and we are trying to imagine from one point in time
the whole scope of someone else’s life
that led to this moment.
The best we can do
is listen and watch,
and open ourselves to what the other person’s body is telling us.
We want to have compassion,
even if we cannot fully understand
what led the other person to this place in their life,
and wanting to
is half the battle.
Thank you for this post. ♥
It depends on whose eyes I try to view the world from. If it’s someone who seems to be a relatively kind person or someone that I know to have had great difficulties in life, then trying to view life through their eyes can help me to see them with understanding and therefore connection. If I try to view the world through the eyes of someone who I see as being a mean spirited person, such as so many in political office, I might find a little sympathy for them, which is something, but I do not find love or much connection with them. The ones I find love and connection with are those whom they hurt. Politics in general has become so divisive, that I have come to the point of seeing beloved family members as selfish or loving money too much or at best being uninformed. This is very troubling to me. I do not enjoy having hard feelings toward loved ones. I don’t bring politics up with them, because I fear making the divide between us larger than it already is. I have tried to see the world through their eyes and this has actually helped in that I know about my niece and nephews backgrounds and can see where much of their fears come from. So trying to see the world through their eyes has actually helped me to understand them.
Thank you for this question. Finding at least some understanding of the way others view the world, helps me to have a more peaceful heart and that is something I really need in these ultra divisive times.
Wishing all, including myself, much love and a peaceful heart
Mary, I hear you. For years I’ve been struggling to hold equanimity and compassion while interacting with people whose claims trigger a reaction in me, or who exhibit casually cruel behavior. It’s so hard. If you’re interested in building skills around communication across the divide, I’ve found Braver Angels to be really helpful: https://braverangels.org. Lots of online workshops, etc. Wishing you peace and a happy Friday.
As strange as this sounds, I feel like, when I can listen to others, with intention, it helps me to see through their eyes. And when I can see through their eyes, I can grasp their experience. And when in can grasp their experience, I can feel empathy and some understanding.
When I change the “lens” I use to see others or situations before me, I become conscious of different viewpoints, historical traumas, value systems, fears below the other’s surface, and much more. I’m conscious of my many privileges and more so my limitations. May all have a restful weekend. 🌻
Well. I just might get an answer to a thought I have pondered for many, many years. All sighted people, (unless color blind?), know what red or green is. This is because they were taught the word that conceptualizes the associated color, as the teacher was taught. But since we can not see what others see, do we all see the color the same? Is my red different than others red? Peace and love.
I have a colorblind friend, and the colors he sees are tinted differently from the way I see them. It’s interesting how the eyes pick up on different things.
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I saw Elizabeth’s post to today’s question. As I replied to her seeing through her eyes, I realized that she and I are quite similar.
My prospective may change. I may learn something new. I may feel a sense of humility toward their situation
If I sit by myself and imagine seeing through the eyes of others, I get an imagined version of their views, motivations, stressors, etc. But I can’t know someone else’s reality. So I feel a sense of humility at my attempt, and at the range of experiences that people must have. Maybe the endeavor teaches me the value of really listening to someone vs. imagining how I think they experience things.
Your post excites me,
dear Drea,
because it’s the truth . . .
we can’t know someone else’s reality,
not fully.
We each carry within us
our own unique experiences,
and we are trying to imagine from one point in time
the whole scope of someone else’s life
that led to this moment.
The best we can do
is listen and watch,
and open ourselves to what the other person’s body is telling us.
We want to have compassion,
even if we cannot fully understand
what led the other person to this place in their life,
and wanting to
is half the battle.
Thank you for this post. ♥
Thank you Sparrow.
Their color of life, their perspective(s), concepts, their joy and pain with compassion.
I see with new eyes.
Compassion.
Understanding.
Respect.
🕊️🩷
It depends on whose eyes I try to view the world from. If it’s someone who seems to be a relatively kind person or someone that I know to have had great difficulties in life, then trying to view life through their eyes can help me to see them with understanding and therefore connection. If I try to view the world through the eyes of someone who I see as being a mean spirited person, such as so many in political office, I might find a little sympathy for them, which is something, but I do not find love or much connection with them. The ones I find love and connection with are those whom they hurt. Politics in general has become so divisive, that I have come to the point of seeing beloved family members as selfish or loving money too much or at best being uninformed. This is very troubling to me. I do not enjoy having hard feelings toward loved ones. I don’t bring politics up with them, because I fear making the divide between us larger than it already is. I have tried to see the world through their eyes and this has actually helped in that I know about my niece and nephews backgrounds and can see where much of their fears come from. So trying to see the world through their eyes has actually helped me to understand them.
Thank you for this question. Finding at least some understanding of the way others view the world, helps me to have a more peaceful heart and that is something I really need in these ultra divisive times.
Wishing all, including myself, much love and a peaceful heart
Mary
Mary, you explained exactly why I stay away from politics.
It doesn’t bring me peace, Loc.
Same here, Mary. It’s all bad either way.
Mary, I hear you. For years I’ve been struggling to hold equanimity and compassion while interacting with people whose claims trigger a reaction in me, or who exhibit casually cruel behavior. It’s so hard. If you’re interested in building skills around communication across the divide, I’ve found Braver Angels to be really helpful: https://braverangels.org. Lots of online workshops, etc. Wishing you peace and a happy Friday.
I will look into this, Drea. Thank you.
I relate to every word of this, Mary. I, too, am from a big family and often feel very aligned with you. ♥️
It’s been difficult. Thank you Claire Jay.
As strange as this sounds, I feel like, when I can listen to others, with intention, it helps me to see through their eyes. And when I can see through their eyes, I can grasp their experience. And when in can grasp their experience, I can feel empathy and some understanding.
It doesn’t sound strange at all,
dear Charlie . . . ♥
New ideas. New perspectives. Compassion.
Their soul and being.
When I change the “lens” I use to see others or situations before me, I become conscious of different viewpoints, historical traumas, value systems, fears below the other’s surface, and much more. I’m conscious of my many privileges and more so my limitations. May all have a restful weekend. 🌻
1. Creativity.
2. Empathy
3. Connection
4. Collaboration
Well. I just might get an answer to a thought I have pondered for many, many years. All sighted people, (unless color blind?), know what red or green is. This is because they were taught the word that conceptualizes the associated color, as the teacher was taught. But since we can not see what others see, do we all see the color the same? Is my red different than others red? Peace and love.
Interesting thought. A friend of mine definitely sees blues and greens different then me.
I have a colorblind friend, and the colors he sees are tinted differently from the way I see them. It’s interesting how the eyes pick up on different things.
Often it is my own misconceptions or errant opinions that are revealed.
I can relate to your comment, Laura. Sometimes I hold wrong assumptions that I thought were right until seeing things through another’s eyes.
A whole new world is revealed….their world with hopes and dreams, pain and suffering, happiness and joy.
It seems like you are a very good listener, EJP.