<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we hope to move beyond the superficialities of our culture \u2014 including our religious culture \u2014 we must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation\u201d (Richard J. Foster).<\/p>\n
MANY OF US SUFFER FROM AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF SELF-EXAMINATION. We don\u2019t engage in \u201cintrospection\u201d often enough; that is, we don\u2019t \u201clook within\u201d ourselves \u2014 or if we do, we don\u2019t consider very carefully what we see there. It\u2019s an amazing fact, actually, that we can not only think, but we can think about our thinking. We can stand at a distance and observe our own thought processes. And that\u2019s a wonderful ability which we ought to use more often. So today, let\u2019s turn our thoughts inward and \u201cintrospect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paying attention.<\/em> The first way we can be introspective is simply to pay attention to what we\u2019re thinking. That sounds simple and it is, but we don\u2019t often do it. We plow through our daily agendas so furiously that our thoughts run here and there without our giving them any more than passing notice. And as a result, all manner of unhelpful and unworthy \u201cstuff\u201d sneaks in and takes up residence in our minds.<\/p>\n Listening.<\/em> It\u2019s a rare moment that we\u2019re not talking, either verbally to someone else or inwardly to ourselves. But great good comes from learning how to turn off the chatter and just listen. In particular, we need to listen to our consciences. Often, our consciences have crucial things to say to us, but we can\u2019t hear them because there\u2019s too much noise. We desperately need to acquire the habit of listening.<\/p>\n Correcting.<\/em> Paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, and even listening to our conscience, is not enough, however, if we don\u2019t make the corrections in our thinking that these exercises indicate need to be made. One of our greatest endowments is the freedom we have to make deliberate adjustments in the way we think. This freedom is a marvelous gift, and we ought not to waste it or lose its benefit.<\/p>\n In truth, there\u2019s no substitute for introspection. Without it, we\u2019re lost. And mark it well: if we\u2019re not examining ourselves inwardly, being busy is no excuse. That just means we need to do it all the more.<\/p>\n \u201cHalf an hour\u2019s listening is essential except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed\u201d (Francis de Sales).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n