The Distant Perspective: Unveiling the Fullness of Events

Our ability to perceive the world around us is often heightened when we observe events from a distance that allows us to appreciate their true scale and grandeur. When we witness phenomena located far from us, we begin to see them in their entirety, recognizing the depth of what is occurring and its significance for us. This perspective enables us to understand that our immediate surroundings do not always capture the full beauty and magnificence of the moment.

At the same time, our mind has its limitations—it cannot always grasp several objects simultaneously, especially when these objects belong to entirely different realms. As a result, we often focus on what seems to be more monumental and distant, enabling us to experience moments as if from afar, where the full essence of events is revealed.

Thus, two important aspects come together: the psychological effect in which distance bestows events with completeness and significance, and our cognitive limitations, which force us to select those elements in our surroundings that appear the most impressive. This phenomenon reminds us that sometimes, in order to see the whole picture, it is worth stepping back and assessing what is happening from a different perspective.

Why do we often notice events occurring at a distance while ignoring what happens right before our eyes?

Our perception tends to direct our attention to distant events because it is the distance that allows us to grasp the entirety and grandeur of what is happening. As stated in one of the sources, “Greatness is seen from a distance,” meaning that a large-scale event or phenomenon gains its full expressiveness only when observed from afar, thereby allowing us to see its complete picture and feel its significance (source: 1253_6262.txt).

Furthermore, our mind is limited in its capacity to perceive multiple objects simultaneously. As noted in another excerpt, “Our mind is incapable of grasping two objects simultaneously, especially when they belong to different worlds,” which results in the focus being on one aspect—often the one perceived as more monumental or distant (source: 482_2406.txt).

Thus, the combination of the psychological effect—where distance endows events with a sense of grandeur and completeness—and our cognitive perceptual limitations explains why we often notice what is happening afar, while details and events immediately before our eyes go unnoticed.

Supporting citation(s):
"Greatness is seen from a distance; rather, it unfolds from the initial encounter to the ‘last’—to what is yet to come. Greatness, therefore, is never fully visible. And at the same time, nothing is instantly entirely visible..." (source: 1253_6262.txt)
"To witness God, one must not be attached to the world... Our mind is incapable of grasping simultaneously two objects, especially when they belong to different worlds..." (source: 482_2406.txt)