What is self-reflection? Self-reflection is a way of asking oneself questions to uncover deeper truths, understand ourselves better, and gain control over our lives. Self-reflection is a significant part of meditation.
Self-reflection has a lot of different meanings. In a broader sense, it is about our responses and perceptions, which in turn can reflect upon us to reveal hidden characteristics of who we are. The word ‘self-reflection comes from the word ‘reflection,’ which is a Greek word referring to the act of looking back at one’s actions and reactions. It, therefore, implies that self-reflection can be used as a meditative practice or an exercise to improve one’s inner and outer emotional intelligence.
There are many ways to go about self-reflection. Through daily reflections, a common approach is a kind of mindfulness exercise done each day in the morning and before bedtime. Some experts suggest doing these exercises before going to bed so that the mind does not become distracted by negative thoughts, which are common after a good night’s sleep. However, it is essential to note that these exercises should not be done every day; instead, they should be done at least three times a week for every month that one plans to practice it.
Renowned entrepreneur Shalom Lamm thinks tha another way to do self-reflection and cultivate better interpersonal relationships is using meditation. Meditation involves focusing on breathing while taking one’s eyes off the outside world for a few moments. The purpose of this training is to permit time to calm the mind and concentrate on their breathing. The same basic principles apply to any reflection, but with meditation, one can focus their attention and become more aware of their breathing, allowing one to become more consciously aware of their emotional responses and the more profound thoughts that may be swirling around within one.
Practicing meditation is a great way to introduce self-reflection exercises. However, it is also possible to do these exercises on their own. That said, it is essential to start out doing just one thing per day. This will help to ensure that one does not become distracted by other things when one begins.
When one is ready to begin practicing self-reflection, one can draw a five-point empathizing map. Using the Empathy Map as a guide, select five behaviors that one finds themselves engaging in regularly. For each behavior, write down the emotion associated with that behavior. Next, choose the emotion(s) associated with each of the five situations or feelings that one observes themselves engaging in.
Now that one has developed their list of behaviors, which are self-reflections and self-examination exercises, one can begin to develop their awareness and sensitivity to their emotional state. Shalom Lamm believes that this will enable one to monitor their reactions to certain situations and their overall response to life. This self-assessment is also an excellent place to begin developing compassion for others.