You may have already begun to Reflect; that is, if the wish in your mind is to reflect as opposed to just wanting to find out what this institute is about. If so, just swizzle away with the cursor and click on the mouse for the smorgasbord about Reflection laid out here for your delectation. Did you realise that you had an appetite for it?
Reflection has been there all the time. You have indulged in it and it is easy to reflect. The trick to make it a habit, to do it well, and bring it to bear on what is important.
Courses on academic techniques of Reflection are summarised in the University of this virtual Institute and you may not have known they existed?
But as you opted to begin, let’s start at the start.
Wanting to reflect is the seedbed of reflection. Its there.
Reflect for a moment on why you want to reflect. For instance: Have you a personal issue? Does some aspect of politics annoy you? Do you wonder about the crazy and/or incredibly fascinating world that people seem to take for granted? Are you a dreamy type and like to have feedback that it’s okay to be as you are?
Lesson ONE: This is about you. Not being told anything by anyone. It is private.
Lesson TWO: Ask yourself if it might somehow be useful to reflect more, and more carefully, than you tend to do?
Lesson THREE: Choose an aim and surround yourself with aids? If you want more calmness, PERHAPS gentle music? If it’s hard thinking, PERHAPS an uncluttered place? It is YOUR choice! You haven’t forgotten Lesson One already, have you?
Lesson FOUR is in three parts: (a) Choose a personal mantra. Example: ‘I want to do this Reflection, it is my ‘me’ time!’ Victorians used to say: ‘Count your blessings!’
Lesson FOUR (b): Ask yourself why you chose that mantra. It will help embed the reason in your thinking which will help you to take its rationale more fully on board.
Lesson FOUR (c): Ask yourself if you do need a mantra at all in order to reflect. Be honest with yourself. That is part of the whole process.
You don’t need Lesson FIVE in beginning to reflect. You have already begun.
Please wander round the institute and wonder about where it may be helpful.