A recent study by research psychologists found that introspection can be a “powerful tool” for gaining self-insights. For many years, researcher thought they had debunked self-reflection. The basic idea is that we are either blind to our foibles or inclined to lie to ourselves. It turns out that when we approach it with sincerity and some structure, self-examination can work. Practices such as the prayer of examen have long been foundational to Christian life and now research confirms what these traditions have known for many years. It’s good to know that these forty day period of self-reflection, with God’s help, might lead to some positive outcomes!

We hope you are flourishing in your ministry

~matt

Study details: Marti S, Sackur J, Sigman M, & Dehaene S (2010). Mapping introspection’s blind spot: reconstruction of dual-task phenomenology using quantified introspection. Cognition, 115 (2), 303-13

~matt

Study details: Marti S, Sackur J, Sigman M, & Dehaene S (2010). Mapping introspection’s blind spot: reconstruction of dual-task phenomenology using quantified introspection. Cognition, 115 (2), 303-13