The How of Self-Reflection
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
What does it mean to reflect on ourselves? There is a concept in self-cultivation which is “getting to know oneself through self-reflection.” The philosopher Zeng Zi has also said: “I daily examine myself on three points.” I encourage everyone to make time for self-reflection and not only when one urgently needs to, because by then it may be too late! However, many people would say, “I am busy all day long, and I don’t have the time. By the end of the day, I feel so tired that I am asleep before I knew it.”
To tackle this issue, our daily practice of Qi Gong would be very helpful! If we have the habit of daily practice, then upon completion of our practice before bedtime, we should perhaps sit on our bed and relax ourselves. Try not to think about anything, and in this way, you are already reaping the benefits of self-reflection.
Many people have the experience of going right to bed after a long day, only to find that they are unable to sleep well, and feel tired upon waking up. Sometimes, the more we try to calm our minds, the more they refuse to. At such times, we should not be over anxious about getting ourselves to sleep, and take time to do some self-reflection instead.
We can focus our thoughts on one particular matter, and try to think it through. When we feel sleepy, we can slowly lie down. Once asleep, we may find that the answer we seek will come to us in a dream. However, if during self-reflection we let our minds wander, jumping from one thought to the next, then we will not get a clear answer. Even if we dream, the images will be fragmented and chaotic, and we will not reap the benefits of self-reflection.
In brief, it is important to keep up with our daily practice. Qi Gong practice can help calm our minds and bodies so that regardless of how tired we are, we will not miss “our daily self-reflection on the three points” and thereby grow in self-awareness.
“Daily self-reflection is a basic requirement of self-cultivation.” — Lee Feng San Shifu