Introspection: Self-Reflection and Self-Discovery

Introspection is the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology, the process of introspection relies on the observation of one’s mental state, while in a spiritual context it may refer to the examination of one’s soul. Introspection is closely related to human self-reflection and self-discovery and is contrasted with external observation. However, the great question is “how to correctly do it”? Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System brings the most secret of introspection for the well-being of our valuable readers.

Introspection Definition

Introspection can be practiced both as an informal reflection process and a formal experimental approach, and the two have different definitions. Still, both processes can be undertaken by anyone with curiosity and determination.

The informal reflection process can be defined as examining one’s own internal thoughts and feelings and reflecting on what they mean. The process can be focused on either one’s current mental experience or mental experiences from the very recent past.

Why should we introspect?

Introspection generally provides privileged access to one’s own mental states, not mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique. The philosopher Plato asked, “…why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts, and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?” While introspection is applicable to many facets of philosophical thought it is perhaps best known for its role in epistemology. In this context, introspection is often compared with perception, reason, memory, and testimony as a source of knowledge.

Introspection in psychology

Wundt: Father of experimental psychology

It has often been claimed that Wilhelm Wundt, the father of experimental psychology, was the first to adopt introspection to experimental psychology though the methodological idea had been presented long before, as by 18th centuries German philosopher-psychologists such as Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten or Johann Nicolaus Tetens. Also, Wundt’s views on introspection must be approached with great care.

Wundt imposed exacting control over the use of introspection in his experimental laboratory at the University of Leipzig, making it possible for other scientists to replicate his experiments elsewhere, a development that proved essential to the development of psychology as a modern, peer-reviewed scientific discipline.

Titchener: Pioneer in experimental psychology 

Edward Titchener was an early pioneer in experimental psychology and a student of Wilhelm Wundt. After earning his doctorate under the tutelage of Wundt at the University of Leipzig, he made his way to Cornell University, where he established his own laboratory and research. 

When Titchener arrived at Cornell in 1894, psychology was still a fledgling discipline, especially in the United States, and Titchener was a key figure in bringing Wundt’s ideas to America. However, Titchener misrepresented some of Wundt’s ideas to the American psychological establishment, especially in his account of introspection which, Titchener taught, only served a purpose in the qualitative analysis of consciousness into its various parts, while Wundt saw it as a means to quantitatively measure the whole of conscious experience. 

Historical misconceptions about Introspection

American historiography of introspection, according to some authors, is dominated by three misconceptions. In particular, historians of psychology tend to argue that:

• introspection once was the dominant method of psychological inquiry,
• behaviorism, and in particular John B. Watson, is responsible for discrediting introspection as a valid method, and
• scientific psychology completely abandoned introspection as a result of those critiques. 

However, introspection has not been the dominant method. It is believed to be so because Edward Titchener’s student Edwin G. Boring, in his influential historical accounts of experimental psychology, privileged Titchener’s views while giving little credit to original sources.

Recent developments about Introspection

Titchener’s misrepresentation

Partly as a result of Titchener’s misrepresentation, the use of introspection diminished after his death and the subsequent decline of structuralism. Later psychological movements, such as functionalism and behaviorism, rejected introspection for its lack of scientific reliability among other factors. 

Cognitive psychology

The more recently established cognitive psychology movement has to some extent accepted introspection’s usefulness in the study of psychological phenomena. Though generally only in experiments pertaining to internal thought conducted under experimental conditions. For example, in the “think aloud protocol”, investigators cue participants to speak their thoughts aloud in order to study an active thought process without forcing an individual to comment on the process itself.

Criticism of introspection

David Hume

Already in the 18th-century authors had criticized the use of introspection, both for knowing one’s own mind and as a method for psychology. David Hume pointed out that introspecting a mental state tends to alter the very state itself.

Immanuel Kant

Introspection delivers, at best, hints about what goes on in the mind; it does not suffice to justify knowledge claims about the mind. Similarly, the idea continued to be discussed between John Stuart Mill and Auguste Comte.

Concepts of Introspection in different religion

Christianity

In Eastern Christianity, some concepts addressing human needs, such as sober introspection (nepsis), require watchfulness of the human heart and the conflicts of the human nous, heart, or mind. 

Jainism

Jains practice pratikraman (Sanskrit “introspection”), a process of repentance of wrongdoings during their daily life, and remind themselves to refrain from doing so again. Devout Jains often do Pratikraman at least twice a day.

Hinduism

Introspection is encouraged in schools such as Advaita Vedanta; in order for one to know their own true nature, they need to reflect and introspect on their true nature—which is what meditation is. Especially, Swami Chinmayananda emphasized the role of introspection in five stages, outlined in his book “Self Unfoldment.”

Exercises for improvement of Introspection

Subconscious mind Exercise

In this exercise, you will dive into your subconscious. Don’t worry, it’s not as painful or scary as it sounds!

We don’t often take time to think about ourselves on this level. So in this exercise, take some time and put a concerted effort into thinking about your attitudes, experiences, beliefs, and values. It may take a few sessions of self-reflection to really uncover your core beliefs, but it’s worth the effort it takes to learn about yourself.

Reflecting on this core component of yourself will help you gain greater self-awareness. Much like meditation, it will help you achieve a new, higher level of consciousness, and it may just help you find valuable information and answers about yourself and your beliefs.

Siddha Kalyan Exercise

This Siddha Kalyan exercise means Siddha Welfare Meditation/Prayer, which is performed with Siddha Method under Swami Hardas Life System. This exercise has been created by Dr. Swami Hardas himself for the well-being of humanity. It is quite effective and favorable for all.

How to prepare for Introspection 

Sit or stand erect, the body should not have any tension, close eyes, start deep breathing, say ‘Si’ while breathing in and ‘ddha’ while breathing out. This way the ‘Siddha’ word will be completed, which should be repeated in mind thrice.

Manaspooja and surrendering

Whichever God or favorable power you believe, bring the live image in the mind, perform Pooja the way you do, surrender and imagine that God is blessing you. Wait for half a minute and do the following Siddha Kalyan Exercise repeating each line three times, and Satwik Manokamna three times after each stanza:

Siddha Kalyan Sadhana	Main Apaki Sharan Me Aaya Hun Aap Meri Raksha Kijiye  Ap Mera Kalyan Kijiye  Aap Sabka Kalyan Kijiye  Main Apaki Sharan Me Aaya Hun ||
Siddha Sewa Sankalp	Vyadhigraston Ka Vyadhi Niwaran Deen Dukhiyon Ka Dhukh Niwaran Muzase Niswarth Bhav Se Karvaiye Jisase Sabko Arogya, Shanti Mile Main Apaki Sharan Me Aaya Hun ||
Satkarma Sankalp	Muzase Aise Satkarma Karvaiye, Jisase Muze Aur Sabko, Arogya, Shanti Mile, Sabka Utkarsh Ho ||

Before opening eyes, do Aatmaparikshan (introspection) for 05 minutes and ask some of the questions to yourself.

Self-reflective questions to ask yourself

There are nearly endless questions, prompts, and ideas you can use to take a self-reflection break. Read through the following three lists to get some ideas for introspective questions. Answering them can take you from feeling like you don’t understand yourself to know yourself like the back of your hand.

Jumpstart self-reflection

10 questions to jumpstart self-reflection, am I:

• using my time wisely?
• taking anything for granted?
• employing a healthy perspective?
• living true to myself?
• waking up in the morning ready to take on the day?
• thinking negative thoughts before I fall asleep?
• putting enough effort into my relationships?
• taking care of myself physically?
• letting matters that are out of my control stress me out?
• achieving the goals that I’ve set for myself?

Know yourself better

Some questions to ask yourself: 

• Who am I, really?
• What worries me most about the future?
• If this were the last day of my life, would I have the same plans for today?
• Am I holding on to something I need to let go of?
• If not now, then when?
• What matters most in my life?
• What am I doing about the things that matter most in my life?
• Why do I matter?
• Have I done anything lately that’s worth remembering?

Great ways to put your journal to use

Some questions to put your journal to use:

• My favorite way to spend the day is . . .
• If I could talk to my teenage self, the one thing I would say is . . .
• The two moments I’ll never forget in my life are . . . (Describe them in great detail, and what makes them so unforgettable.)
• Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.
• Write about a moment experienced through your body. Making love, making breakfast, going to a party, having a fight, an experience you’ve had or you imagine for your character. 
• The words I’d like to live by are . . .
• I couldn’t imagine living without . . .
• When I’m in pain—physical or emotional—the kindest thing I can do for myself is . . .
• Make a list of the people in your life who genuinely support you, and whom you can genuinely trust. Then, make time to hang out with them.
• What does unconditional love look like for you?

Conclusion

Any person desirous of availing benefits mentioned above should do Siddha Kalyan Exercise dedicatedly and regularly, irrespective of whether they are trained in Swami Hardas Life System or not. Most important is that any person, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, sex, or status can do this Siddha Kalyan Exercise according to his/her faith and customs for wellbeing.

Frequently asked questions

Before posting your query, kindly go through them:

What is introspection? The process can be focused on either one’s current mental experience or mental experiences from the very recent past.

What is Subconscious mind Exercise? We don’t often take time to think about ourselves on this level. So in this exercise, take some time and put a concerted effort into thinking about your attitudes, experiences, beliefs, and values. It may take a few sessions of self-reflection to really uncover your core beliefs, but it’s worth the effort it takes to learn about yourself. Reflecting on this core component of yourself will help you gain greater self-awareness.

 

Reference:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introspection
• https://positivepsychology.com/introspection-self-reflection/