One of my favourite philosophical practices is the “view from on high” – or the French version of a “view from Sirius” (which isn’t just about seeing from above, but about encountering things as if for the first time).
Conceptually, its about taking an overview, seeing everything within its contexts. It’s about approaching something as a whole, rather than analysing its parts. (This latter is the distinct difference between the two sides of your brain, according to Iain McGilchrist – the right hemisphere allows an “analogical”, holistic approach to be taken, whilst the left facilitates a more “digital”, analytic and reductionist one)
We can do this literally, when we climb up to a vantage point, (or take a flight in a hot-air balloon or a plane), or we can do it cognitively, by reflecting at the end of a day, or by taking a pause, taking a few deep breaths, or slowing down to be able to actually perceive properly (instead of the world and our thoughts whooshing past at a hundred miles an hour!)
By the way, if you do get the chance to actually go up in a hot air balloon, I can recommend it. I’ve only done it once (for my 50th birthday) but it was one of the most amazing and special experiences of my life.
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