On introspection

[Guest guest]

Introspection is necessary to assess one’s

spiritual practice and proves beneficial when made use of

appropriately. On an average, one should not spend more than 5

to 10 minutes on introspection at any given time. It

is also correct to do it if one derives happiness or

gets new ideas to overcome obstacles and/or increase

one’s spiritual practice. Say for example, if one does

introspection on one’s chanting* done during the day, then one

can introspect on the factors that contribute to the

quality and quantity of one’s chanting and plan to take

appropriate steps accordingly the next day. However, if the

introspection makes one think about all of one’s defects, gives

a feeling of not progressing, etc., and leads to

depression, guilt, stress or confusion, then it has become an

over-analysis. In such a case, one should discontinue the

so-called introspection and resume the chanting of The

Lord’s Name. <br><br><br>- H. H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale.

<br><br>* Repeating The Lord’s Name as per one’s religion.