How To Practice Introspection

You may see me mention introspection every now and then and wonder exactly what I'm talking about. Introspection is essentially looking within for answers to your questions. You'd probably be very surprised at how much is in your mind.

Introspection goes hand in hand with meditation. In fact, it's like a style of meditation.

Introspection essentially allows you to redirect your focus from the outside world around you to the world that exists inside you.

In our day-to-day lives we are flooded with distractions and influence from all sorts of places, whether it's the TV shoving adverts down our throats or our friends soliciting their opinions 24/7, the distractions are many.

I am a strong believer in turning away from these distractions from time to time. They mostly fill our mind up with unneeded rubbish and it doesn't do us any good.

Liken your mind to a garden, however this garden has no fence or walls protecting it. Anything can make its way into your garden because of this. You are the gardener, it is your job to take care of the garden and make sure any harmful weeds or insects are removed and prevented from entering. Without paying attention to your garden, you're allowing it to grow out of control. Over time it will develop into a mess and you will come to resent your own garden for how much it disgusts you. It is imperative you take control and fulfil your role as the gardener.

Practicing Introspection

Introspection is similar to typical meditation, you want to find a quiet room where you will not be interrupted. Make yourself comfortable and be sure to have a journal or notepad with you.

There are two main styles of introspection; reactive and proactive.

Reactive: Simply sit patiently and wait for any significant thoughts to come to your mind. Once they come, note them down. Look over the notes you have written once your session is finished and reflect on what they mean, where they're from, how they affect you, etc. Analyse and question the thoughts and your relationship with them.

Proactive: Think of a question about yourself you'd like the answer to, write it down in your notepad/journal. Ask as deep a question as you like. Ponder on the question and write down any significant thoughts that come to your mind. Approach your notes in the same manor as the 'reactive' style once your session has finished.

These sessions should last anywhere from 20 minutes to however long it takes you to get the answer you want/need. Be mindful that sometimes you may have to practice a couple times to get the hang of it. It also might take you a couple sessions to really get to the bottom of some of the questions you have for yourself. Patience and consistency is very important. Without it, this exercise is pointless.

I know this is a very short post, but used correctly this will be a very powerful one.

Have a blessed week everyone 💎