The crux of the matter is that perspective is a very powerful faculty of our mind. How we understand the world or view it in our mind determines how we act. If we like what is in the cup and decide that it is half full, then at least we can enjoy that much, though we may be craving for more. If we despise what is in the cup, at least we can console ourself that it is not a full cup of torture!
Besides these two perspectives of halves there is another perspective that is often overlooked and even underestimated. This is, that the cup is half filled... so there! It doesn't matter that it is half full or half empty. It is just plain fact that the cup is half filled and there is no need to console oneself one way or another than to accept this fact. This is a brave spiritual perspective that the mystics know as, 'It is as it is.'
Holding this perspective, especially for serious events in our life is not easy all the time (that's why there is the half perspectives). It does not allow room for blame transference or transfering responsibility to anyone but oneself. It takes stock of any kind of situation we may be in and puts us is the thick of it. If the situation is a mess, then we hand ourself the broom to clean it up. If the situation is good one, then we enjoy it to the fullest without any baggage of guilt or remorse. The challenge of this perspective is that we have to be completely honest with ourselves. Its rewards are the powerful feelings of freedom and clarity within us.
'It is as it is', is the perspective of the enlightened ones, and this is why such souls are sought after. The unreserved honesty in perspective that they hold is occasionally valuable to others who hold the consoling perspective of 'halves'. The 'half full' or the 'half empty' perspectives are mirrors of some form of inability to accept fact. In fact, these perspectives of 'halves' puts emphasis on the empty part of the proverbial cup. It assumes that we have to consider the empty part and do something with it. Instead the perspective of fact doesn't concern itself with the empty part of the cup at all and focuses entirely with the filled part and working with that.
One of the first lessons on spirituality that one learns in training with an enlightened master is to accept that whatever the contents of ones mind, especially the memories, as one's own and that they cannot be transfered to other persons to be resolved if they need resolution. I am referring to those heavy memories that cause all sorts of problems and negativity within a person (these are the memories that may be cause for us to look at the cup as half empty). The perspective of fact gives the ability to correct all wrongs by first pointing the finger at oneself. From this starting point one has the full power of the spiritual faculties of acceptance and forgiveness to put right all negatives and move forward positively. Any form of denial curtails spiritual power from utility.
The positive memories (these are the memories that may be cause for us to look at the cup as half full) are much easier to handle though they can sometimes be a hinderance in spirituality if one pines for that which one can no longer have. The perspective of fact teaches the enjoyment of the consequence of memory without craving. (To find out more about the subconscious mind, resolved and unresolved memories click here.)
I don't want to totally discredit the 'half full', 'half empty' perspectives. They are useful where there is the need for consolation. However, if we are looking to live life to the fullest, we will have to gradually develop the courage to look at life as it is in all its grandioseness, ordinariness and even its rawness and accept them wholeheartedly. From this pinnacle, we can improve what we can and adapt to what is as it is.
The Spiritual Perspective is very known to all over the world.It means an ancient culture.
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