SPIRIT Journey: Introspection
When I was deciding on what concepts each letter of SPIRIT would represent, I considered “reflection” as one for the “R”. However, the more I pondered my experience on the Camino and the lessons I had learned in life, the more I realized that reflection was not enough. There was a deeper learning; a deeper journey; a deeper knowing.
So, like any teacher, who is also a lifelong learner, I did some research. I also asked some friends what they thought about their learning journeys. This is what I discovered.
Some people use the terms self-awareness, self-reflection and introspection interchangeably. There has been a lot of research done on all three, and it has been determined that they are really not the same. My personal and professional experiences tell me they are not the same either.
According to Positive Psychology,
“Self-reflection is one’s ability to willingly examine one’s thought and feelings and reflect on what they mean”.
“Introspection is the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings”.
“Self-awareness is the achievement of practicing self-reflection and the exercise of introspection.”
Clear as mud, right? Stay with me here because it is a process that, when understood, leads to a more spiritual and fulfilling path to peace and bliss. Also, it is one of the greatest lessons I have learned in life.
For me, self-reflection is like looking in a mirror. We look at ourselves, our perceptions, beliefs, appearances, stories and experiences from the past. It is our image, like the word “imagine”, and is not necessarily reality or what is true. It is more what you discover on the surface, the outside image. Maybe a little akin to the lesson from Beauty and the Beast.
We usually engage in self-reflection when there is a problem or when we experience a negative feeling or emotion. It is a good thing to look inside and try to figure out what is going on, but the trip wire here is that we usually tap into a “trigger” or negative emotion and/or conditioned response from past negative experiences.
We just see what we are reflecting back to the world, which may be molded, shaped, shadowed, shifted and projected based on how we see that others see us or expect us to be/look like. This can be a dangerous, slippery, treacherous and maybe even destructive path to self-discovery.
We get A LOT of input into our brains every day from outside sources. Researchers have shown that we think more than 50,000 thoughts per day, of which more than half are negative and more than 90% are just repeats from the day before (Wood, 2013). We might start asking “why me?” or “why is this happening again?” or “why do I feel this way?” This usually leads to a negative response of a victim mentality or to shut down mode, anxiety, depression or maybe even to anger and aggression.
Self-reflection is at least a jumping off point to learning more about ourselves. After all, the alternative is to never look at ourselves with curiosity and desire to see who we really are. Then, we are probably just on the road to narcissism!
In order to find a more peaceful, fulfilling and joyful path in life,
we need to dive deeper with introspection.
“Introspection” is “the action of examining one’s own feelings and thoughts”. From Latin “intro” meaning “inward” and “specere” meaning “to look at”.
The original idea of introspection as a psychological journey was developed by Wilhelm Wundt in the late 1800’s (you know, that time in history called the Victorian Age when everyone was buttoned up like a corset and closed up like a vault? When a “refreshing beverage” contained cocaine in order to calm the nerves? Yes, that time!)
Although there may be differing opinions, Wundt is considered the “Father of Psychology” (Pavlov, Freud and Jung would not show up until the early 1900’s). Wundt focused on three areas of mental functioning: thoughts, images and feelings or sensations in the body. Wundt’s work eventually led to the development of the field of cognitive psychology, which is used in most therapy today.
With introspection, we look inward and ask “what’s going on?” “what am I feeling?” “what are these thoughts that I am having?” “what sensations do I have in my body and where?” “what images are popping into my thoughts?” Lots of “what?” questions to identify. An inspection…the facts…what is evident and that we are aware of…consciousness…in the present moment.
When we just ask “why?” and try to fix the problem or ourselves, we most likely will try to rationalize, justify or explain with a “story”. It will not be who we really are. It will just be an image, a reflection of the story we are making up or that we have been told our whole “unconscious” lives.
When we just try to identify “what?” and become more aware of the sensations in our body, our feelings, our emotions, we are able, like in the movie Inside Out, to just let it be. Sit with it and bring it into your awareness. Then, ask “what?” again. What do I want to feel? What is another way I can see this situation? What can I do to respond better to this situation? What do I want the outcome to be?
“What” instead of “why” questions can help us to better understand, and then, manage our emotions with more conscious choices through our self-awareness of what is real and rings true inside us (or should I say “insight” us?)
Again, don’t just look in the mirror, but instead look inward and become aware of your feelings and sensations in the body. Get out of your Ego. Be curious, explore, gain insights and new perspectives in order to discover the real treasures buried within. Bring your real “inside” out for the whole world to see and not just a reflection of who you think others want you to be. Exercise, build and flex your self-awareness muscle.
My purpose with the Spirit of Teaching and all that I do related to it is to raise awareness in the teaching profession and in the school/classroom culture that there is a better and more healthy way to educate children. There is a kinder and more loving way to treat our teachers and to value the work that they do. There is a more rewarding and fulfilling way for teachers to do their jobs and help make a difference in the life of a child and in the world.
Iyanla Vanzant has a show on Oprah’s OWN network called Iyanla, Fix My Life. She is known to be very straightforward and honest, but also loving and caring in her quest to get people to turn inward for answers and get out of their “DNTPs” or “Dominant Negative Thought Patterns” that she says are the core beliefs for many people because it is what they have heard over and over again until they have memorized them and now claim them to be factual knowledge.
They are seeing their reflection in the mirror of all the negative thought patterns and stories that have been made up as a result of our experiences, input from others, trauma, shame…the negatives.
In her book, Get Over It: Thought Therapy for Healing the Hard Stuff, she has identified 42 DNTPs that she has come to recognize through her therapy work to “fix” many, MANY people’s lives. She calls her approach “thought therapy” and describes it as a “process that harnesses proven spiritual tools with the science of neuroplasticity. You can listen to her words and learn more here. I found the book to be brilliant, and I certainly recognized and related to many of the 42 DNTPs. I’m pretty sure we all can!
What also really resonated for me was how much DNTPs are linked to the learning process and what plays out in the classroom and in the educational system every.single.day!!! The educational path does not have to be treacherous, scary and lined with DNTP fiery “blazes” to mark the way. There is always a choice to create a positive, nurturing, more loving path that will guide, inspire and “stick” just as well through affirmations and loving kindness.
How can we begin to get rid of the DNTPs in education and in the classroom?
It starts with looking at the “man in the mirror,” but then, putting on new spectacles/lenses to gain a different perspective and take a deeper dive inward through introspection.
Through a deeper dive of introspection into education, we can raise this self-awareness. We can develop metacognition. We can nurture more empathic, compassionate, curious, creative and contributing “whole” citizens of the world.
Through introspection, we might think more about the words we choose. I love seeing charts in classrooms now that are turning self-talk around for students. At the top, it says, “What Can I Say to Myself?” and there is a t-chart below. On the left, it might say “I failed”. And on the right, next to it, it says “I am getting multiple opportunities to get it right”. Or, on the left, “this is too hard” becomes “this may take some time and effort” on the right. Or, “I’m not good at this” becomes a question “What am I missing?”
Through introspection, we might “Backward Design” our lessons to include more “Essential Questions” and “Learning Goals” aligned to the healthy, whole child who finds his/her place in the bigger picture of humanity. I love seeing school cultures and teachers that are incorporating mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) into their curriculum and every day best practices. They are based on much of what I have talked about here and the process that leads to greater self-awareness, self-regulation and self-confidence.
Through introspection, we might develop a greater SELF – social-emotional-learning-foundation from which all else will grow and flourish.
Studies have shown that the qualities most critical for success in today’s world such as emotional intelligence, empathy, influence, persuasion, communication and collaboration, all stem from self-awareness.
Maybe we should be focusing on building that emotional intelligence of our children using mindfulness and SEL rather than focusing on their intelligence quotient (IQ) based on a standardized test score.
My challenge to every educator, administrator, parent, legislator, school district and the DOE is this:
Take the journey inward to the heart of teaching, to the heart of educational policy and funding, to the hearts of children, to your own heart.
Do some educational soul-searching and ask: what do I really want for children? what do I really want the world to look like, now and in the future? what can I do? what resources do I have/need/want to be able to create that reality?
Then, ask the “how?” “who?” “when?” “where?” questions. Don’t worry about the “why?” for now. I think it will manifest and be crystal clear once we have tackled the others.
Essential Question of the Day for INTROSPECTION:
What positive outcomes do I want for me and for my students today?
CAN DO Statements:
I can dive deeper beneath the surface of what is and ask “what is really going on here?”
I can use all my senses to determine what is real and what is just a reflection of me.
I can make choices for me and my students that will best serve all our needs in this moment.
Best Practices for Today:
When creating/executing my lesson plans for today, I will consider the SEL of every child.
When I find myself in a challenging situation, I will pause and go inward and ask “what” questions.
I will try to be aware of DNTPs and consciously choose positive words, affirmations, actions and thoughts.
Here are some more questions and exercises for introspection from Positive Psychology.
Inspirational songs:
Positive Role Model by Pet Shop Boys
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson
Reflection from Mulan
Photo credit:
“The many levels of introspection” by SyamAstro (750,000 views – thank you!) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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