Institute of Reflection

Eastern Meditation has it's handbooks, it's rituals, it's methods, its's mantras.  So too there is advice galore in Western traditions on how to reflect better and to better purpose.  No charismatic with global reach yet has arisen to codify it into a 'teaching' - but THAT does not invaliate Reflection or the ways there are of doing it better.  It's time is coming.  Just as Meditation caught on, so too will Reflection - given half a chance.

‘Reflection’ is studied in universities and in training for many professions. It is not just something that people do ‘without thinking’.  Its value is recognised and there are ways of improving how to do it.

It’s all ‘Old Wife’s Tales’ is it? Thousands upon thousands of sightings of ghosts, of 'seeing' the unnseen, in every generation; ALL is delusion or charlatanry?

Telepathy cannot exist? When it is demonstrable that the physical matter in our own bodies can communicate at a distance?  There is no way that a visitant from another time can visit us?  When the very concept of time is being re-evaluated and is no longer seen as linear?

Many conclusions are speculation but that applies equally to the a view that the Unseen world must be bogus. The Cartesian world view of ‘What you see is what you get!’ itself is under fire.  As Dr Lynda Shaw points out: 'the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence'.  It goes beyond that: there is much evidence on which to tease out facts if but one has an open mind to reflect on it.  

Marvellous discoveries have been made since Great Thinkers first contemplated the stars! You have the benefit of their thinking AND these discoveries.  What would they have given to know what you know!

There is inherent fascination in the extraordinary Cosmos; also in the nano-world the tiniest building blocks of matter reveal an astonishing universe.

We can’t know everything. But we can know more.  More than 'know', we can understand more if we reflect on the facts and new theories.

What sort of Fairh have we signed up to if we don't reflect about it?  In our own sanctuary, there need be no taboos. What is the thinking of todays’ era; how far might it shed new light on Faiths of old?  That is just one question in two parts and it is scratching the surface; have you the courage or faith to face up to possibly enriching ideas that should arise if you reflect on your Faith and that of others?

The first goal is to want to understand as much as possible. See and reflect on what has been discovered by others.  The key is try to understand its significance. Our own values will be more honed to reality. The world is our oyster; there is more to this marine bivalve mullusc of the family Ostreacea than simply something to eat.

Contentment is a tremendous boon. It is a springboard for those extra-special moments of bliss which we cannot have all the time. People gravitate to a person with a calm centre as to a shelter in the eye of the storm. In wisdom is common sense. People seek counsel from the wise. There is joy in detachment from too much want, too much greed. The ‘Golden Mean’ is golden for a reason; ‘Moderation in all things’ brings its own reward. In all this, the ability to reflect, and the wish to reflect well, can play a big part. And that it where it starts....

Reflection is a tool of the mind helping better decision-making. It can affect your everyday thinking and attitude for the better.

Leeway to think things through for yourself, calmly, has many useful, practical effects. You see more clearly where you might be going wrong if you cultivate sufficient patience of mind and make it a daily habit to consider problems in all their different aspects.

Second thoughts can augment initial reactions. If studying, it is an idea to come back to a question when in a different mood or place than when initially thinking about it.

Reflection helps ground your ideas. Confidence in decisions gains through being sure that you have done your best to do your best.

You can find quiet by yourself and the peace that accompanies it. It is a reason for the appeal of ‘Meditation’. People want this. Inner peace is a pleasurable habit to foster. This need not be just ‘stilling’ the clamour of the mind.

There are a range of techniques. Your perspective on your life counts and your resolve to reach the attitude that works best for you. Your mantras can be made to fit your need: If you are suffering remember that ‘this too will pass!’

If you feel unsatisfied ‘Count your blessings!’ If you are love-lorn remember that ‘All comes to he who waits’ A change of heart may be unexpected.

The Hindu ‘Gayatri’ mantra suggests that clarity is better often than ‘Give us what we want!’ Repetition of the right mantras makes them a part of our thinking.

You are an observer, whatever else you are.  If you encourage the tendency to observe there is no limit to what you can survey from the fastness and comfort of your armchair. You need not be ‘up and doing’, caught up in everyday concerns. There is no His Masters Voice to tell you that this or that is for your attention.

There is a wealth of interest value in what goes on in our world.  You are a part of it.  Why close yourself off to it?

Observation and imagination feed of each other. It is liberating to let one’s mind play over situations that are not in your small world.  What know ye of yourself if only yourself ye know?  What might you take in of value to yourself if only you gave yourself time and space to reflect. You will be enlarging the shells of your personality.

This virtual institute is about how the facility and ability, reflection, that each of us has to greater or lesser degree can be enhanced. It is to the advantage of one, and all.  Belief systems no less than public policies gain through clearer thinking. Much springs from the right attitude of mind.  It is to your advantage in private life, and that of society, to do it well, not just take it as ‘a given’.  

The view of the ‘collective’ - the people around us and those guiding us - starts with individuals. It affects the world around us. If your technique and habits of reflection can be formulated for better thinking and planning, the overall climate of opinion has more chance to adapt our world to the advantage of you, me and everyone.

People used to ‘meditate’, a respectable leisure pursuit, but the word of late has a specialised meaning. There are different ways of reflecting just as there are in Meditation. Reflection can colonise the area vacated by the new vogue for Meditation. It makes for spiritual and mental growth. There are practical advantages of reflecting.  Thinking constructively, quietly, on your own or in company is regarded as a traditional preserve of a poet or author but it is open to everyone. 

Reflection is a useful tool in your mental and emotional armoury. And there is a charm in it.  Reflection is an attitude of mind with a purpose. It is one of the ways in which we can become more tolerant and open-minded.

We should treat our minds as our temples as we are being invited to treat our bodies by nutritionists.

Why swallow wholesale the nostrums that peddled from rooftops and megaphones, starting up at every ‘alarum and excursion’ or following every fad of thought?  We can be sceptical - up to a point. We can coach ourselves to be more independent-minded and treat with ‘healthy disrespect’ what we are spoon-fed.  Society today has need of antidote to the pressing claims of instantaneous communication and an onslaught of  information that may be dubious but is couched with confidence.

‘Reflection’ helps vacate the space that has in large degree been vacated by the departure of the idea of ‘meditation’ into more esoteric regions.  Reflection is part of a valued Western tradition and is of more value when not taken as read and is assessed in its own right.

This website is not an exhaustive tour d’horizon but a starting point to suggest ways of further exploration.

Some purposes and manners of reflection are itemised below, springboards and signposts provided to help guide you on your personal journey via by-ways or the high road of reflection.