Practicing Self-referral

People commonly say that we see our own selves the least clearly. In contrast, it seems we can easily see faults in others. One of my earliest rational lessons in self-referral, and the one that has been perhaps the most enlightening, occurred to me in my teens.

I thought that when pointing a finger, figuratively, at another person in judgment, I should instead point that finger at myself and ask if the same were not true of me. Years later I later read in the vedic classic The Bhagavad-Gita that 'the world is as you are.' This saying describes why pointing our finger in judgment at another person is really just pointing that same finger at ourselves.

The next trick is to use that awareness for self-growth.

Balance & Self-referral

Health and well-being can be thought about in many ways. Balance is one concept. Maintaining balance in our lives is one way to approach thinking about health and wellness.
Ayurveda, the health, wellness and longevity branch of the ancient Vedas of India, among other things teaches self-referral as a core concept. From the western tradition, this idea is summed up in Socrates' famous words, 'Know thyself.'
Knowing yourself, and understanding your own body's condition and moods, becomes imperative when trying to maintain balance, health and wellness, be it physiological, psychological or spiritual.
I am often surprised how little the media discusses, and how few people know and practice, simple techniques that are extremely powerful for promoting balance, health and wellness.
Click on the self-referral, The Vedas, ayurveda, balance, yoga, meditation and breathing labels in the right column for more...