INTROSPECTION

This Monday Muse is triggered by the recent statement of Goa’s Chief Minister that recommends introspection to his citizens. Clearly, he is distressed by the opposition to projects by increasingly vigilant and vocal villagers. If the Government were to introspect itself, it would be unambiguous that rather than blind opposition to development, the voices are of concern for the land, lives and livelihoods – all under attack by a planning process fuelled by greed rather than the need of the people

One of the most effective lessons is that “lessons are not meant to be taught, they are meant to be learnt.” Introspection is one knowledge process that stipulates personal initiative rather than be a diagnosis for somebody else. The results of introspection are liberating in terms of the widened perspective of understanding the situation and our role-connection to that very situation.

The word itself is derived from the Latin term of introspicere which literally means to look inside. It is the self-observation of our own reasoning and behaviour. It involves reflection on the impact of our thoughts and actions on others as well as ourselves. However, introspection that only remains inward looking tends to be selfish. We must utilise its value as a valid tool for the development of scientific hypotheses and options and find effective results in practice for goal-oriented functional challenges

Imagine a traveller on a journey. Introspection would include looking at the path covered (past), the location as of now (the present) and the road ahead (the future). Introspection will involve looking at our original intentions, our actions and the impact of them on ourselves, our thinking and also on the situation that surrounds us.

The most important thing to remember is that introspection is a personal exercise as well as a personal initiative. And hence it involves taking ownership as well as responsibility of what we are and where we find ourselves. Rather than insist that others do it, it would be better if we involved in introspection ourselves!

It is so easy to indulge in sterile extrospection
To BE BETTER, we must involve in introspection…

- Pravin-da