Glossary entry

Introspection

Looking within to observe and distinguish the activity of the Present-day Personality.

Inherited draft — source verification required

This entry is grounded in ordinary/public Greek lessons and is presented as source-checked provisional wording for review. It is not yet final approved teaching text.

Short explanation

Introspection is the practice of looking within in order to recognise the behaviour, tendencies, emotions and thoughts of the Present-day Personality. In the public lesson used here, it belongs to the work of self-knowledge: learning to see what is taking place within us with honesty and discrimination.

Meaning within the teaching

The introductory purpose is observation and recognition. More detailed practice must be presented separately, with its prerequisites and exact source, rather than being added to a short glossary definition.

Important distinctions

It is not self-condemnation or obsessive self-analysis.
It is not presented here as an advanced exercise.
It should not be confused with vague impressions or unsupported claims of perception.

Related terms

Present-day Personality — the activity observed.
Permanent Personality — the continuing identity from which the present expression is distinguished.
Introductory teaching page — continue reading.

Source note

Ordinary/public Greek lesson dated 19 July 1973. Advanced and restricted Inner Circle material is not used in this entry.

Source-checked provisional

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