Awhile back I posted on tea and meditation. Some might argue the mediation and reflection are one and the same. However, meditation and reflection do have some differences.
According to Dr.Walker, reflection allows us insights into our own thoughts. Reflection or what psychologists call meta-cognition allows us to understand how we operate, but it doesn’t necessarily change how we operate. Nevertheless, reflection does tell us what we know and what we don’t know, which in turn gives insights into our strengths and weaknesses. As Dr,Walker puts it “We absorb ourselves in our mind in order to understand it. This is key to high achievement. ” (Walker, 2014).
I tend to think about meditation as calming your mind, only allowing yourself to think of the present, such as savoring your food, enjoying your tea, finding peace in your own surroundings. On the other hand, I believe reflection is enjoying who you are at the present. Reflecting on your day and finding appreciation of what you accomplished and what you will do next. Thus, meditation is a place of mind, while reflection is looking and appreciating your own inner thoughts and who you are.
Oftentimes, we are so busy trying to make our dream come true, following our endless to-do list, that it is often forgotten to take the time and appreciate who we are presently.
Thus, when I am by myself, having my afternoon cup of tea, I like to reflect on how blessed I am to have a loving family, that I have graduated from college, and am experiencing the joys and trials of having work and not working. Having this reflection time makes me aware of how blessed I am and makes me more thankful for the small things in life, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the smell of flowers.
Thus, this time of reflection is perfect when sipping your cup of tea. A lot of people believe they don’t have time for these pleasures, but this is a misguided belief. I grew up with my parents telling me that your won’t have the time to do what you love unless you make time for it. If you really love doing something, you will always find the time for it no matter what.
Thus, find a quiet place and sit down and reflect and you will thank yourself for taking the time to do so.
Until next time,
Alyssa
Walker, Ali,. (2014) The Differences between Meditation and Reflection. Retrieved from http://www.drawalker.com/blog/the-difference-between-meditation-reflection
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