introspection
Examining one's thoughts
Introspection is the examination of one's own thoughts, feelings, and mental states.
The practice involves turning attention inward rather than outward: A period of introspection followed his divorce.
Psychology distinguishes introspection from observation—you can observe someone's behavior but only introspect your own mind.
The adjective is introspective: an introspective person, introspective lyrics.
Sudden profound insight
- realizationGrasping what's true
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- clarityState of being understandable
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
breakthrough · comprehension · discernment · perspicacity · wisdom · intuition · self-discovery · apprehension
Insight into one's psyche
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- cognizanceState of knowing something
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
attention · presence · alertness · noticing · observation · focus · discernment · sensitivity
Sustained reflective attention
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- musingReflective contemplation
- self-analysisScrutinizing one's own psyche
self-scrutiny · self-observation · self-questioning · brooding · cogitation · reverie · thoughtfulness · self-examination
Awareness of the present
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- silenceTotal lack of sound
solitude · tranquility · serenity · calmness · centering · breathing · retreating · quietude
Scrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- self-inquiryExamining one's own mind
- self-assessmentEvaluating your own performance
- self-evaluationAssessing your own performance
self-exploration · psychoanalysis · therapy · counseling · self-help · processing · healing · unpacking
epiphany
Sudden profound insight
- realizationGrasping what's true
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- clarityState of being understandable
revelation · breakthrough · comprehension · discernment · perspicacity · wisdom · intuition · self-discovery · apprehension · enlightenment
self-awareness
Insight into one's psyche
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- cognizanceState of knowing something
perception · attention · presence · alertness · noticing · observation · focus · discernment · sensitivity · vigilance
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- musingReflective contemplation
self-analysis · self-scrutiny · self-observation · self-questioning · brooding · cogitation · reverie · thoughtfulness · self-examination · meditation
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
silence · solitude · tranquility · serenity · calmness · centering · breathing · retreating · quietude · inner-peace
self-examination
Scrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- self-inquiryExamining one's own mind
- self-assessmentEvaluating your own performance
self-evaluation · self-exploration · psychoanalysis · therapy · counseling · self-help · processing · healing · unpacking
subconscious
Below conscious awareness
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
- mindSeat of consciousness
- soulInnermost animating essence
ego · id · superego · psyche · thoughts · feelings · emotions · persona · spirit · depths
- AugustineConfessions, original sin, divine grace, predestination, Doctor of the Church
- Musarcharacter traits, self-improvement, ethical conduct
- Mussarmussar, character traits, ethical conduct, ethical behavior, self-improvement
- Psyche Artoutsider art, subconscious, unconscious, inner world, catharsis
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- mental processesthinking, think, reasoning, cognition, pondering
introspectionextroversion
Outward-focused temperament
extraversion · observation · perception · environmental awareness · people-watching
introspectionaction
Process of doing
doing · experimentation · trial and error · praxis · hands-on learning
introspectiondialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
conversation · social engagement · extraversion · gregariousness · sociability
introspective, introspectively, introspections, introspecting, introspectiveness