The View From Above

"Think of the whole universe of matter and how small your share. Think of the whole expanse of time and how brief—almost momentary—the part assigned to you. Think of the workings of fate and how infinitesimal your role."
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The View From Above is a spiritual exercise designed to put our lives in perspective. By imagining ourselves looking down on the world from a great height, our personal worries and anxieties shrink to their proper size.

Gaining Perspective

From high above, borders disappear. Armies look like ants fighting over a crumb. The span of a human life feels like a blink of an eye. This isn't meant to make us feel insignificant in a depressing way, but to free us from the "trivial" troubles that consume our daily thoughts.

Objectivity

This exercise helps us see things as they really are, stripped of our emotional judgments. It restores our sense of inner peace and reminds us of our connection to the whole.