Why do I need to find a quite space?
If I do not reflect, I lose touch with myself and the patterns I am living in. I risk making the same mistakes over again, I risk not learning and progressing. It is necessary at regular intervals to stop and take stock, reflect on where I am and question my own paradigm (the way I view the world and life) against reality.
A quote that really helped me to engage with idea was this;
‘You don’t see the world as it is, you see it as you are.’ – Stephen Covey
Not only did this statement get me thinking about how narrow my own understanding of the world could be, it also showed me that the views of others may be equally narrow. As such we have a lot that we can learn from each other, with insights that can help others reveal and undermine unhealthy and destructive paradigms – bringing about healing and wholeness.
But is it that easy? How do I begin to reflect on my way of viewing the world? I just do it, there isn’t a lot of thought that goes into it. Isn’t it more instinctual than premeditated?
How do I go about it?
Personally this is where meditation and mindfulness come into the equation. Self-reflection brings awareness and clarity to how I am ‘operating’ day-to-day. It requires time spent stilling the mind, taking a step back from the constant internal monologue, just being in a moment and doing nothing.
It is worth researching into different aids to meditation and mindfulness. There are a lot of useful resources out there; apps, YouTube videos, etc. I tend to either use slow tempo instrumental music, or go outside, or just look out the window at the sky. Whilst doing this I focus on taking slow deep breaths in and out through my mouth as this helps to slow my mind down and make me more aware of my body.
Staying in this state of stillness for a period of time allows me to more effectively reflect on myself afterwards. It can be useful to have a notepad in which you write down things that have become clear to you and try to keep a journal over several months. This will be useful to look back over periodically and notice any patterns in thought processes; thus further aiding you in your self-reflection.
Remember there are no simple, quick routes to understanding your thoughts and patterns of behaviour, it takes time and attention. What I am describing here is in itself the beginning of a new pattern for life that gives space for development.
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.“
Proverbs 4:23
WIDE OPEN PLANES 