Power of Reflection
As the New Year settles into its first week, we have become accustomed to thoughts of reflection, resolution, and personal evaluation. However, this doesn’t have to be just a New Year’s concept. The power of reflection, mediation, and evaluation can be used daily to promote a deeper understanding of self.
By giving yourself time to reflect, meditate, and evaluate, you are providing yourself the gift of self-reflection. This gift allows you to dig deeper into any experience and reflect on all aspects of it. Why did something happen? What made me feel that way? How can I respond next time? Self-reflection can provide you with a better understanding of your thoughts, feelings, values, and beliefs.
Here is a self-reflection practice you can utilize in your morning routine.
Sit or lay down on the floor. Rest the palms of your hands on your thighs or floor and relax your arms. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath and start to feel your heartbeat. After a few breaths, begin to “scan” your body with your breathing. Feel and sense your body paying attention to each body part. This practice will strengthen your ability to direct and hold your attention.
Once you’ve completed your scan, ask yourself the following questions.
What does my body need today?
What does my mind need today?
What lessons do I hope to learn today?
Sit with each question and allow yourself to listen and process what your mind, heart, and gut says in response to each question. Remember this is a practice, you are always growing and learning about yourself. Have patience and grace during your self-reflection.
“Self-reflection is the gateway to freedom. It also brings greater appreciation and enjoyment. We begin to enjoy spending time with our own mind, and we enjoy reflecting on our experience of the teachings. Like the sun emerging from behind the clouds, the teachings of the dharma become clear.” – Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
