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The Art of Introspection in a Self-Obsessed World, by Jennie Lee

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

There is no denying that we live in a time and a culture that is focused on self. "Selfies" have become a global phenomenon, and social media fosters a fixation on me, me, and more me. Posturing to appear as "all that" goes on incessantly and often drives people to a level of self-absorption that generates a contrary outcome to its intent, because although focused on self, we end up farther away from an authentic understanding of who we truly are. It is time to look in the mirror in a different way.

Self-reflection, or introspection, as a spiritual practice has been around for thousands of years. It is a core tenent of the ancient yogic teachings found in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, called Swadhyaya in Sanskrit. Introspection encompasses a study of one's self from the personality level to the soul level, as well as a study of the unified field of consciousness, or Ultimate Self, that is embodied in each one of us in a unique way.

Stop Hiding Behind the Mask of False Self
Rather than giving time and energy to appearing as someone valuable, loveable, and necessary, actually become that person through the art of introspection. Take a break from external validation-seeking. Instead of sending images of self out into the world with the hope of gaining "likes" and "comments," open to the inner experience of your authentic self and develop a life according to your highest aspirations.

Some prompts in three categories—body, mind, and spirit—will get you underway.

1. Body
   • Do I get enough exercise and sunlight daily for optimal health?
   • Do I eat nourishing foods and drink enough water for my body's vital functioning?
   • Do I create balance in my day for work, rest, play, etc.?
   • Do I use free time constructively, creatively, and in service to my family, friends, and community?
2. Mind
   • Do I perform my duties with enthusiasm, good will, and efficiency?
   • Am I kind and thoughtful toward colleagues, family, friends, and strangers alike?
   • Am I truthful and positive, avoiding criticism and gossip?
   • Do I strive to hold a positive, loving attitude in all circumstances?
   • Do I cater to my moods, or practice evenmindedness?
3. Spirit
   • Am I consistent with my chosen spiritual practice (church, meditation, prayer, etc.)?
   • Do I practice silence regularly to allow my senses to turn inward rather than always outward?
   • Do I embody soul qualities such as generosity, patience, enthusiasm, empathy, devotion, self-control, integrity, loyalty, and peace?
   • Do I give attention to that which I believe to be a Higher Power than my self?

Create an Ongoing Practice
By considering the predominant nature of your thoughts, actions, and intentions, you start to see a clear reflection of your inner self. Are you living according to the highest principles you know? What is your life producing? Are you repressing any part of yourself? Do you like what you are becoming?

Analyze these questions neutrally, without judgment. They are not meant to create an inferiority, nor a superiority, complex. And do not expect perfection. Just offer a continuous effort and results of greater clarity and peace will naturally follow.

"Truly scrutinize your life. Find out what it really amounts to; then takes steps to make it all it ought to be. Change your consciousness; that is what is really necessary," writes Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi.

Next, contemplate your greatest aspirations and dreams. Stop blaming anyone else for your circumstances. Accept what is and be accountable for any change that needs to occur. You get clearer and stronger as a result of tests. So, be grateful for them instead of resentful. Self-confidence is nourished when you tackle a difficulty and see that in fact you are capable of deep personal growth and change. Don't expect to be challenge-free! Trials are a part of life, showing us what lies within us that needs to be brought to a higher level of consciousness.

Consider any negative habits or character flaws you would like to overcome, such as being weak-willed, self-absorbed, or pessimistic. Then make a list of the qualities needed to counteract these shortcomings. For instance, if you notice that you are driven by unhealthy habits and have difficulty employing willpower, you will need to cultivate self-control. Choose just one quality to practice for a month and integrate it in every aspect of your life—in diet, in relationships, in speech, in exercise. Search for quotations that support this quality and keep them handy to inspire you. Write your own affirmations about being in the desired state of self-control now. Become a careful witness of your repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. Keep a log of the times you succeed in being self-controlled to foster a positive example of success. And practice compassion and patience in the times you fall short of your goal.

A wonderful time to practice daily introspection is in the evening before sleeping. Take a few deep breaths to quiet the mind and relax the body. Then review the day mentally.

Self-reflection helps us to become better humans. As we self-improve we are a positive influence to others and we focus less on getting "liked." We draw closer to the expression of our true nature as an essential part of the Universe, and lasting happiness follows.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2016. All rights reserved.

My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. He is 46 years old and I am 32. I have been struggling with his energy for a year now. It's so consuming. I feel like when he's around me, I can't be my normal self. I've talked to him about this, and believe that he doesn't mean to affect me as he does. Nothing I am doing seems to be working. Even if I try to separate myself by going into a different room, I feel this very compelling urge to see if he's okay. (He's usually not - he wants to be around me 24/7, and makes me feel guilty if I want a break.) In fact, it is so compelling that I can't even read a book because I'm thinking about him. His energy drowns me and I can't live with him anymore if I don't figure out how to combat this! He is gone Monday through Thursday now, and is home for the weekends. You would think I'd be able to get a handle on myself, but it takes two days for me to snap out of the state he left me in after he goes. By Wednesday, I'm feeling like a new woman, but then he comes home Thursday night and I'm right back where I left off. It's like I'm in some funky trance or something. Any idea what the heck is going on? How do I prevent him from stealing my energy, if that's what he's doing? I truly love him - he's my best friend - but I have got to get on with my life/family/career, and I can't focus on anything else when he's around. Any suggestions?

Steph

Astrea:

Sometimes living together is just too much. I think as youngsters we all wish for that perfect partner who pays attention to us all the time. Your boyfriend isn't that perfect partner for you right now, but that doesn't mean you should toss three years out the window - you just need to examine together what you both want this relationship to be.

Your boyfriend could be smothering you for a lot of different reasons, but the one that keeps coming to me is that he feels insecure about your love for him. Don't feel guilty about that. I know you've tried to be everything he wants you to be, and that you've both put a lot of effort into the past three years.

The age difference might really be bothering him now that he's past 45 and you're still in your thirties. Insecurity can definitely cause a person to go overboard and become a Cling-on.

If you're honestly happier without him around you, then you have to try to face that and start over. Since you say he's your best friend and you love him with all your heart, instead of burning this bridge, try separating for a while to see if you're happier alone.

Tell him that you're feeling that you need some time to get yourself going in the right direction again. He'll be hurt, but if you set a date when you can come back together to reexamine your relationship, you may find that you miss one another and want to try again. (I suggest you reexamine things in three months.)

If you decide to try this, be sure to spell out the rules. If it's okay for the two of you to date other people while you're apart, make that clear to one another. If you really just want time to think things through, then make that clear too.

Don't play head games. If you expect him to wait for you to figure out what you want (and three months is a reasonable time to ask someone you've loved for three years to wait), tell him that you're NOT suggesting that you see other people - you need time by yourself to decide what you want.

Try talking about everything before you take any drastic steps. If you are happier without him, then it's time to move on anyway, and you'll have a good start in three months.

The only way to stop feeling that your boyfriend is sucking the life from you is to get out of this relationship for a little while and BREATHE. You'll probably miss him because he loves you. If you put it to him in a calm, clear way that you feel you need time alone to get your energy back up to speed, he'll understand - I'm sure of it!

*****

Susyn:

It is sometimes confusing when we develop relationships with people only to find them draining us, or as you say, stealing our energy. Some of these troubles may be coming from him, though you may also be reacting against what you feel are your obligations in this relationship.

We all need time and space to take care of ourselves, to develop and grow and move towards our goals. You don't mention if he wants a family or supports your career plans, and it could be that you both have very different desires and dreams about the future. If that's the case, it may be a good idea to list your career and family goals on paper and then discuss them with him. If he doesn't want a family or refuses to support your career, then you'll have some important decisions to make.

It also sounds like he is very dependent upon and possessive of you. If this was a healthy connection, you would be able to maintain balance in the relationship no matter how much time you spent together. It's important to determine if you are attending to his every need out of guilt or if this is simply a pattern or expectation that has developed over the last few years.

In order to sort this out, when he is home, try making plans of your own (apart from him) and observe how he reacts. If he is fine with it, then you may need to examine your own motivations for wanting to be with him all the time. If, however, you find that he really is determined to be with you 24/7, you'll need to start moving away from this co-dependent relationship.

Though it may seem difficult to separate yourself from him, if the statements in your letter are accurate, you will remain in limbo and could waste valuable years of your life by continuing on with the status quo.

Since you state that you love him and he is your best friend, you may want to consider couples therapy. If that doesn't rebalance the situation, it may be time to shift this relationship from a romantic bond to something more platonic.

For the most part, it sounds like this relationship has been valuable for both of you, but it no longer nourishes and supports your innermost desires. Putting aside your dreams to attend to his needs will ultimately just create hurt feelings and resentment for both of you.

Work on getting some clarity about what is most important to you - then you can start taking action to manifest the life you desire. He can either choose to come along or let you go - either way, you will be moving toward greater well-being and fulfillment.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.