Credos - Institute of Reflection

Beliefs govern every facet of our lives and it is well to be aware of precisely what ours are, how deeply they actuate us, then winnow out chaff not fit for purpose.

So many different beliefs; yet so few unanimously held! Are those that are not our beliefs entirely wrong or is there something in them, root or branch, that we may glean to advantage? There may be comfort in following a herd – ask any lemming or sheep – but as you act on your beliefs why not ‘look before you leap’ into them? A journey of careful thought about principles and prejudices may be as important as an arrival at a provisional universal truth.

There may be matter for reflection in some of the views that are set out here but they must be only a tiny fraction of systems of belief that are held by people and they may be the a springboard to help you dive into this endlessly fascinating area.

Who knows in advance what musty nook in our thinking conceals a nugget? Pack a torch for your voyage of reflection to light up more clearly alternative paths.

Note: It is mainly visitors to this website who curate it. Ideas featured are not claimed to be ‘the truth’ or ‘the whole truth’ nor is there a pecking order in the catalogue. Suffice that their initiators or exponents devote much thought to them.

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SHIELD

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What is Western Meditation?

Occidental Meditation should come out of the closet. Cults and beliefs emanating largely from the East may have an elevated aim but the time is ripe for a fuller appreciation of Western traditions of reflection. The habit of reflection per se is worthwhile. To meditate is distinct from some fashionable goals of ‘Meditation’. It is a path to practical wisdom and self-realisation and should be fully signposted.

Graham Gibbs‘ Reflective Cycle

The theoretical approach of reflection as a cyclical model was further developed by Graham Gibbs (1998). This model is based on a six-stage approach, leading from a description of the experience through to conclusions and considerations for future events. While most of the core principles are similar to Kolb’s, Gibbs’ model is broken down further to encourage the teacher to reflect on their own thoughts and feelings.

Learning Cycle by David Kolb

David Kolb proposed that if people become better at using all stages of a learning cycle, notably including reflecting on experience, they will become better life-long learners, and be more successful. His concept is among many that advocates 'trial and error' (extending to reflection, conceptualization and experimentation) through direct personal experience

Further Aspects of the Academic Work on Reflection

The Art of Self-Scrutiny The act of self-reflection is a ‘spiritual act’ by taking time out to connect the inner-self with the outer world. A view, Olsen suggests, that parallels Florence Nightingale’s thoughts that providing nursing care to others can be a spiritual act. More importantly, he highlights how reflection is essential to avoid burnout by helping nurses to stay connected with their passion for their profession. Yet, the reality for many nurses and midwives is that their working ...

Four Levels of Relfection

Jenny Moon, a Teaching Fellow and Associate Professor at Bournemouth University, has written much on reflective learning and the use of learning journals to support professional development. In her book ‘Reflection in Learning and Professional Development: Theory and Practice‘ (the word ‘practice’ there refers to practical work), she defines reflection as a thought process: “[Reflection is] …a mental process of thinking about what we have done, learned and experienced…” (J Moon, ...

Some Definitions

Reflective Practice is an ancient concept. There are references to the power of reflective learning in the writings of Confucius, around 460BC, and the ancient Greeks practised 'reflection' as a form of contemplation in search of truth. Their ancient meaning of reflection features in several modern definitions. The following definitions convey distinct meanings of Reflection: "Careful thought or consideration.." Wikipedia, 2015. "Serious thought or consideration..." Oxford ...

Some Famous Names Whose Works Have Contributed to the Study of Relection

Reflection as an academic subject has been considered by many famous philosophers throughout history. Here's some of the best known historical contributors to the field.

Cosmopolitanism: an ideology for the 21st Century?

Though there is no general mobilisation, NATO and its allies are at war with the Russian Federation. China is poised to invade Taiwan but it may not. These realities are the unresolved conflicts of the last century’s wars. Fashioned in the West as an ideological struggle between liberal democratic values and autocracy, the global situation appears bleak. In the midst of these realities, undercurrents of visionary hope continue to emerge. Cosmopolitanism, engenders a secular concept of ...

Iryna’s Faith

A new religion or creed or faith, as yet to be named, that is widely discussed and believed is coming into being.

Review: ‘La Source Noir – Revelations aux portes de la mort’ by Patrice Van Aersel

Editions Grasset Patrice Van Aersel has made a detailed study of near-death or after-‘death’ experiences interviewing hundreds of people who have undergone them. His findings broadly speaking are as follows: There are stages in a near- and after-death experiences and only 10% of people reach the 5th stage. They include: 1. The extraordinary inimitable light which has been described by Walt Witman and the one according to Dante is capable of trans-humanising a man into god. It ...

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