Introspection

Genuine introspection is different than what people ordinarily call “thinking.” Some people may say, “I am reflecting; I am thinking about my problem.” They call it introspection, but that is not what we mean here.

Genuine introspection begins with a clear mind. From that state, we can pay attention to what occurs in the mind.

A person may says, “I have a bad temple,” or “I have a bad habit.” However, this kind of labeling will not do much to help him drop his bad temper or habit. In such a case, he is simply thinking about it without changing it.

True introspection turns the light of awareness directly toward the mind’s pattern.

~ by Zen Master Miao Tsan