What is introspection and why is it important?
We often feel that we’re trapped in a problem but do we know how and why? We keep on blaming others/ourselves but do we really make efforts to look deep within ourselves and know why are we facing problems in life and how do we tackle them? Most of the times, we face problems due to our own mindset. Once we start introspecting, we realise the mental and emotional processing of ourselves. Introspection is a great way to know ourselves more than anyone else. It is a great source of personal knowledge. It can help us make connections between different self experiences and inner responses. It reveals potential answers to the problems we face. It increases our confidence in our ability to solve future dilemmas. It helps us to know our worth and explore our strengths and weaknesses. It gives us access to understanding ourself. Often we criticize ourselves or others for different situations in our life but introspection is a way of inner reflection and self realisation which helps us to work towards self improvement and development. Introspection is the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings. Introspection generally provides a privileged access to one’s own mental state, not mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique. Once we introspect within ourselves, we get insights and often sudden discernment of the solutions to any problems. Generally introspection is difficult because we do not like to go deep within and talk to ourselves. Although there are numerous benefits of introspection, the practice does take time and might bring frustration and irritation initially because connecting with inner self is not easy.
Ways to Introspect – Multi-Process Self-Detection :
1. Sit in a quiet comfortable place, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Start connecting and digging deep within yourself and ask relevant questions. Write the replies you get in a book. Open your eyes and drink water. Feel the peace.
2. Don’t be obsessed to get the answer immediately, it might take time and repeated practices.
3. Don’t be obsessed to get the correct answers always by yourself, you might need external help.
4. Be specific about asking right questions to your inner self.
5. Don’t ask the wrong or illusionary questions.
6. Don’t get scared – reply can be in any form, words, voice, color etc.
7. Practice with open attitude and give gratitude to yourself once you get the reply.
8. Sometimes you might feel emotional, just let the thoughts pass away.
Few questions to be asked while introspecting :
Who am I?
Who do I want to be?
What do I really want in life?
How do I really feel about myself?
What are my beliefs?
What do I value?
What matters most to me?
What and how is the next step for me?
What is the solution to any specific problem running in your mind?
Am I doing the right thing?
We often wonder why are we facing so many difficulties in life? Have we realised what is life actually trying to teach us? We keep on blaming others/ourselves but do we really make efforts to look deep within ourselves and know why are we facing problems in life and how do we tackle them? Every incident in our life teaches us a lesson but sometimes we learn it and sometimes we ignore or skip it and the incident repeats and we come back to square zero. Then again we play the blame game and become dependent on someone. It is very necessary to learn the lesson every incident/situation teaches us in order to move ahead in life. Our experiences are our teachers and we have to learn to tackle every situation and evolve in life. The journey of life has to go on and not halt at one situation and curse it. How we deal with any situation depends upon us. We have to learn to move alone in the journey of life and learn our lessons and maintain our tenderness and dignity. We have to consciously train ourselves to get better and not bitter with the situations we face in our life irrespective of them being positive or negative. Don’t allow ourselves to entangle in the cobweb of past and negative situations. Release the negative and embrace the positive.
And there you go off to a far far land,
Leaving me behind and unholding my hand…
Waiting for you, I peeped out of my window,
Where I noticed the world standing in limbo…
Maybe I was afraid of losing you so you didn’t disclose,
You faced it all alone by gathering strength from distress…
You kept walking in your stilts fighting your kismet,
You left your footprints in my mind and my heart…
You were a great warrior wearing hope like a crown,
After losing you, I have almost broken down…
Thinking of you, my future shatters,
Despite of your physical absence, you matter…
Your smile was forever a refreshing language,
You alone carried your painful baggage…
You left a gaping hole in my heart,
Dear friend, your memories still tear me apart…
Dear universe, I pray to you,
Gimme enough strength to think nothing but good for those who hurt me…
Gimme the prowess to overcome every hurdle that comes on my way to bring out the best in me…
In my smile, words or deep down the soul, lies can forever hide…
For the darkest secrets and deepest desires, eyes are the perfect guide…
Dear universe, I pray to you,
Gimme the courage to forgive the people and forget the pain…
Gimme the strength to face the heat and chills in the rains…
The truth doesn’t belong there, it comes rolling down the eyes…
Nothing is safe there, not happiness, sadness, truth or lies…
Dear Universe, I pray to you,
Gimme enough positivity to rule out the negativity that is within me…
Gimme the power of faith to feel and enjoy the glory of joy within me…
Everything that exists, has a meaning and a purpose, however big or small…
I’m grateful to the universe for helping me to notice the reality and face it all…
Dear universe, I pray to you,
Gimme the power to see the good side of things I can’t see yet because the soul always feels betrayed…
Gimme the power to recognize human beings of every mental and emotional shade…
A firefly whispered to the flame,
This life is a blind man’s game…
She was taught that truth is the only way,
She wakes up to the selfish world every day…
She is a bit shy and a bit scared,
With you her tale is open and shared…
When she looks at the mirror in her eyes,
She finds her kind heart of gigantic size…
She was always a shelter to those who were lost,
But after she is lost, she is unaware of her own post…
Only you can completely erase her past,
And help her body mind and Soul to last…
She has been offering her tears to you,
Adonai, so that you can feel her grief too…
Her eyes are filled with tears that never dry,
Because someone always makes her cry…
Dear God, she is your child, your creature,
Only you can help her shape the future…
The world has left her struggling to breathe,
She is swinging somewhere between life and death….
You can make her rise like a phoenix from the ashes,
Elseways she shall set ablaze and dissipate like gases…
I am at a stage where life is full of twist and turns,
I am chasing my dreams and trying to make the show run…
You are my dream come true and you always encourage me to fly…
I pray and hope for the best looking at the bright sky…
I have a choice to let you go but I find reasons to make you stay,
Breaking up is an option but I prefer to hold you tight anyday…
I gave you my heart and layed in you my trust,
Which in the past few years was decaying in rust…
I love you and to declare the same, I gathered courage,
I fought with the world to preserve you which is creating an enrage…
Like fireflies, you found light in my darkness,
Your touch made me carefree and your love gave me happiness…
I found in you, my companion and my twin flame,
And that’s how I realised destiny can play beautiful games…
Sky high, is where my dreams lie…
This constant game I play to stay high…
You can’t bind my hopes with ropes of your doubt…
Don’t try to shut my voice meant to be loud as I shout…
My life is sacred and also profane…
I’m a human who deserves to have my own name…
Don’t trap my wisdom within cage of shallow thoughts…
You can’t control my strength which I have gained after I fought…
You can’t expect me to dim down my brightness…
Don’t restrict my light with walls of your darkness…
Let me enjoy the sound of the wind as it whispers in my ears…
Let me feel the warmth of the sun that heals my soul and melts my fears…
Don’t entangle my soul with chains of anguish…
I’m meant to be a fire you can’t extinguish…
I will rise and sparkle, brighter than ever…
Because I’m ready to shine like the sun and burn like the fire…
I believe I can try, I believe I can fly…
I believe I can touch the sky…
There is a well of tears deep inside her soul that she fights everyday,
There are some days when she loses the fight and emotions find their way.
There is an ocean of worries buried in her heart that she cannot bring to her lips,
There are secrets buried inside her like waves that she cannot let slip.
She tries to fill the void in her being by making every effort she can,
She knows she has to continue with life and this lesson she very well understands,
She puts on her face every moment to show the world, a smile full of life,
She rises everytime after she crashes and stands up strong and alive.
She has learnt to set boundaries and seal her feelings forever,
She has reclaimed her power and learnt to fan her own ember.
She is meant to be a warrior that fights for herself to be wild and free,
She has accepted the truth of life and realised where she is destined to be.
You are a mirror at which I stare, you are the one for whom I always care.
If you ever fall then rise again, if you ever fail then try again.
Don’t let anything hold you back, get up and be prepared to counter attack.
Remember that the world may betray you, but the Universe will always embrace you.
You are brave to seal your heart and close it tight to hide your broken pieces and keep them out of sight.
No one will ever know your tears that flow into sea, your face is your own mask no one will ever see.
Your scars and heartaches have made you beautiful so darling never run away from being dutiful.
You are filled with an empty space which no one can ever replace.
You are my being, you are the soul, dear Self you are enough to make me feel consoled.
Awakened in the midst of night by your dreams, sometimes you just yell and scream.
May the hopes hug you tight and your dreams take a peaceful flight.
You are the one, the keeper of my heart, forever and always let’s never part.
Whenever I fall down and feel so hard, you make it easy by being the guard.
You have got your own wings and your own sting, you are a queen with strength that needs no king.
Life is a journey, final destination is death,
I’ve always been ready to accept this vulnerable fact…
Instead of trying to hold onto life forever,
I prefer living it to the fullest and accept death without any fear…
I’m breathing in and smelling that sweet essence of life,
I’m seeing the beauty of the world through my own eyes…
I’m listening to the beat of my heart and symphony of my soul,
I’ve stopped taking life for granted and started being joyful…
I pray to God to save me from the concerned eyes,
Of those who are attempting to master on my tangled insides…
For what if I die tomorrow, I’ll no longer exist,
My identity will be washed away and my memories will be mist…
I’ve kept both my arms open for you to see what shape I’m in,
I promise your hug won’t be a waste cos I’ve not committed any sin…
I rise and shine and I’ll reach the sky after my death,
A space made of nothing but dreams which I’ll dream of till my last breath…
For my life is uncertain, I’m living my life as if I’m going to die tomorrow,
For when my end is around the corner, I don’t want to regret in sorrow…
I’m a woman who attracts what I expect and reflect what I desire,
I try to show respect and mirror what I admire…
Don’t give me birth as per the society norms, let me come to the world and be grown…
I’m a woman who doesn’t need you, I will be complete on my own…
I lose the days by seeking joys and long nights full of fears,
I want to lose the heavy burden which I carried through the years…
I’m a doting daughter, mother, sister and wife,
I’m always there for my loved ones throughout my life…
I love, I care, I nurture, I dare,
I’m pure, I’m a pleasure, I personify Mother Nature, I’m a hidden treasure…
I bring prosperity and happiness since my birth,
But still I’m treated like grime, filth, dust and dirt…
I deserve love, protection and affection,
Let me open my wings and fly for the progress of the nation…
Respect my compromises, adjustments, sacrifices and know my worth,
That I’m the pillar of the family/society, who gives birth and spreads mirth…
It is time I revolt, give back and fight,
It is time to put all the wrong things back to place and make them right…
If I’m born with the weakness to fall, I’m also born with the strength to rise,
Nothing is going to be achieved by you, by worshipping the Goddess when a woman (on purpose) dies…
I’m a woman who demands justice to reach a new pavilion,
Otherwise I got to walk through that open door, where I’ve never been before…
When you see ugly things,
Clean your eyes
When you hear negative stories,
Clean your ears
When you get awful thoughts,
Clean your mind
When you touch dirty stuff,
Clean your hands
When you can’t walk ahead,
Clean your feet
When you can’t explain,
Clean your throat
When you experience heartache,
Clean your heart
When you feel weak and tired,
Clean your soul
But keep going because
Strong people can be weak,
Brave people can be afraid,
Light people can feel dark,
Helpless people can be helped,
Lost people can be found,
Hopeless people can feel faith!
Keep going!
I’m allowing myself to be happy,
I’m allowing myself to be healthy.
I’m allowing my beauty to glow,
I’m allowing myself to grow.
I’m allowing myself to be safe,
I’m allowing myself to be brave.
I’m allowing myself to be kind and compassionate,
I’m allowing myself to be free of any ailment.
I’m allowing myself to be worthy and successful,
I’m allowing myself to be grateful.
I’m allowing my mind to be peaceful,
I’m allowing my soul to be positive and powerful.
I’m allowing my mind, body and soul to heal,
I’m allowing my secrets to conceal.
I’m allowing myself to rise and shine,
I’m allowing myself to reach the divine.
I’m allowing my dreams to manifest,
I’m allowing myself to go on a spiritual quest.
I’m allowing my path to light up before me,
I’m allowing myself to set free,
I’m allowing myself to be me…
I’ve seen sunrises and I’ve seen sunsets,
My family and friends have been my biggest assets…
I’ve been hurt and I’ve made mistakes,
I’ve become strong after going through many heart aches…
I’ve embraced my life with mess and chaos,
Hence my life is painted with some purpose…
I’m inspired by abundant blessings and tiny miracles,
Therefore I live my life without any regrets and rehearsals…
I do something for the joy it brings,
Because this world owes me nothing…
I wish I could catch my dreams in a jar,
And shine in the galaxy like a star…
Just one life is what I have,
I want to spend time to eternity for what I believe…
I live where the light begins and the darkness ends,
Life is all about enjoying with hopes and no broken mends…
Lost in the shadows of my name…
Guided through the contours of pain…
It is a journey that many don’t make…
It is a path only the brave one’s take…
For what fate holds, I don’t care…
For what destiny says, it’s just a matter of flair…
Let the sun hit upon my face and stars fill my dream…
I’m a traveller of both time and space to be where I’ve been…
The sun that’s down the dusk sets out…
It’s time to shed the baggage of my past…
Rising from the sand, I look to chase the sun…
Holding my hopes high and leaving for the run…
Nothing lasts forever, forever is a lie…
All we have is what’s between hello and goodbye…
Words are too small to convey the truth…
Life is a constant journey between rough and smooth…
“A picture is worth a thousand words” – this is an apt picture for the famous quote.
Interpretation of the same is possible in multiple ways –
1. You can take the person out of the stone age (ancient times), not the stone age (ancient thoughts) out of the person.
2. Your mind and soul carries the burden of your thoughts and affects your whole body.
3. You become what you think (positive or negative, it affects your whole body).
4. A man isn’t able to progress in life (has become stagnant) due to the burden he carries of his past, present and future.
5. A man is driven by his envy, greed, ego, fear and pride and doesn’t embrace truth, love, compassion, respect and strength anymore.
6. A man has become stone hearted (doesn’t think/care about/for anyone) these days due of lack of loyalty and deception all around.
7. A man has become stubborn with his thoughts and doesn’t want to adjust or compromise in any situation.
8. A man prefers living in his comfort zone always.
The list can be endless but the crux is
“We started with stone age (ancient times) and we’re going back to the stone age (heart and mind turning into stones)”.
Let me learn the lessons that sailing shall teach,
Let me go so far that I shall be out of reach…
Let my hair get tangled by the wild breeze,
Let my body get tanned by the sun kiss…
Let me love the sound of the wind as it whispers in my ears,
Let the warmth of the sun heal my soul and melt my fears…
Let me sleep under the glorious moon and wake up to chase the sun,
Let my eyes absorb and conquer the beauty of the horizon…
Let my lungs get filled as I breathe in the fresh air at the sea,
Let the rhythm of the water set my soul free…
Let the blood in my veins trickle with the sound of the waves,
Let my heartbeat slow down and sync with the nature’s pace…
Let the rhythm of the breeze make my hair dance on its favorite track,
Let the noise of the waves promise me to keep my soul awake…
Let me cruise away my fears and worries under the pale blue sky,
Let the wind hug me and I shall fly holding my hopes high…
