GC#81 - Gestalt Therapy - Perek Shira 12 - Song of the Fields Part 2 - a podcast by Amram Landau

We are probably all familiar with the optical illusions of Escher et al. Amongst the most famous visual tricks, is the one where there are two or more vases, placed strategically adjacent to each other. After staring at them for a while, one becomes aware that one is looking at either a face or figure - sometimes multiple forms. When this happens, the vases disappear...until one allows one's focus to revert to the vases. Then the figures disappear. Only one can stay in view at any given time.

This is known as figure-ground perception in psychology. In Gestalt therapy, there is an idea of focusing in on what the field is and what the ground is - meaning, where is the focus and what is peripheral?

The problem is that sometimes we treat the trivial as all-important, whilst the crucial things or ideals in life get overlooked. We can lose sight of the wood for the trees if we become too involved in the details of something, not noticing what is important about the thing as a whole. We can even lose sight of the endpoint or tachlis, in totality.

Don't be fooled by the optical illusions. try to stay focused in what is really there...

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