Home - The Institute of Reflection

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.

Science Intro

The furthest reaches of the mysteries surrounding some of the deep questions of life may be beyond our ken to answer at present but science is peeling back some of the outlying shrouds.

Credos

What do people actually believe? This room gathers the personal credos, spiritual perspectives, and considered beliefs of thinkers ancient and modern — ideas worth sitting with, whether you share them or not.

Credos

Both as individuals and as societies, we are what we have thought. We should think again. What works or does not work for societies of today and for you and me? Do you accept the views of the great thinkers of the past, for instance Bertrand Russell? The diagnoses of serious modern thinkers who consider the well-being of our world – and the personal credos of ordinary folk who are not ‘teachers’ – can help attune mindsets to modern needs. How to live better adjusted lives? Reflective thinking can be about practical matters and beliefs. Do parts – or all – of the beliefs of others hold promise for your life?

Sanctuary

A room set apart. Not for reading — for experiencing. Enter, slow down, and let the noise recede. This is a space for stillness, sound, and the kind of thought that only comes when you stop rushing.

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WHAT REFLECTION HAS TO OFFER YOU?

Reflection is meditation shorn of the baggage

We are inclined to devalue, even overlook the obvious (see figurine page). Everyone supposes they know how to reflect. To do it properly can propel you into lift-off.

Sir Malcolm Bradbury pioneered a Creative Writing course. Why? Writers potty trained in their craft? Kazuo Ishiguro and others deeply value his techniques. Reflection too is not as easy as it seems.

Reflection can be much more than a sweetie to suck at whim. On occasion one even may not like what it reveals.

There is so much to reflect on, whether Practical or Theoretical.

There are different ways to reflect, whether intellectual or ruminative.

You can actively rather than lethargically relax.

Do you know where best to reflect?

Reflection encourages us to dwell on fascinating subjects we often take for granted: the world…. who we are…why we are here….what we believe.

Research into brain waves – alpha, beta, and so on – show we are physically affected by how we reflect.

Our lives too – in spiritual and in daily terms – can be improved by reflection.

Happiness, peace of mind, better decision making, a constructive attitude, widening of horizons are all dividends paid by proper reflection.

These days when people absorb without sufficient thought much mindless vapourising, the art of Reflection has rarely been so needed.

Reflection is advisable for busy lives as a flower of civilised life over and above the struggle of existence, like music or literature. Reflection is for those who have the time for it. For those dealing with overwhelming pressure on their time, life and death matters say, Reflection can be seen as a luxury. No one is asked to lay down a sword in deadly combat and arrest the thrust of an upraised spear with a plea to the assailant: ‘Hold on a mo! I gotta get out my reflection mat; it’s ‘that’ time of day!’