With every passing day, we find ourselves busier than ever, struggling to stay above the drama of everyday life. As our lives fill up with activities and responsibilities, inward reflection goes out the window. But if we are so busy with our lives, where can we find guidance among the chaos? Is spirituality really as important as new agers would have us believe?

A Scientific View

First, let’s see what science has to say about inward reflection. To be clear, this practice can be defined as anything from day-dreaming to focused, intentional reflection of the mind through meditation. Either category is part of what we are discussing.

Science has done countless studies where individuals sit and intentionally focus on their thoughts while hooked up to various medical contraptions that read brain waves and gray matter. According to these studies, inward reflection improves concentration, aids in building memories, frames our lives and aids in transferring new skills into concepts in our brains.



Additionally, this self-exploration can contribute to the morals we hold and the way we reason, thereby contributing to an improved well-being and social connections. We also learn from the past and appreciate the value of our experiences in a new context, all by allowing the brain to rest in reflection.

A Spiritual View

If you are contemplating meditation, yoga, or another inward experience, then you likely want to understand the spiritual impact these experiences can have on inner world. Spirituality can be the answer to the guidance we seek. From this viewpoint, inward reflection can clear the mind of intrusive thoughts, provide a sense of inner peace and contentment, and can help you overcome hardships.

By witnessing the thoughts and habits that make up your mind, you stand a better chance to combat the conflict of the inner world and are in a better position to forgive yourself and the world around you. This contributes to a more peaceful life in both interactions with yourself and those who are in your community. When you understand yourself, you can contribute more to the world and give back in ways you wouldn’t if you were simply working from the default mode of the brain on a continual basis.

Conclusion

Whether you take up meditation, yoga, or simple daydreaming, inward reflection and spirituality can bring you closer to a source of real power. Science confirms the impact these practices have on the brain, but spirituality confirms their impact on your life. If you’re looking for guidance, you might not need to look any further than at the back of your eyelids.