selfinquiry

Self-inquiry is a disciplined practice of examining one’s own thoughts, beliefs, motives, and sense of identity in order to gain clarity about oneself and one’s relation to the world. It can be pursued in secular psychology, philosophy, and spiritual traditions, or as a general form of reflective practice.

Historically, self-inquiry has roots in various traditions. In ancient philosophy, the Socratic method sought to reveal inconsistent beliefs through questioning. In Advaita Vedanta, self-inquiry (atma-vichara) is a central practice that aims to realize the true self beyond ego and thought, often with the inquiry “Who am I?” or “What is the source of my sense of I?”. In modern contexts, self-inquiry is used in mindfulness-based therapies and secular self-reflection to examine assumptions and cognitive patterns.

Practices commonly involve sustained questioning of assumptions, journaling, and meditation that helps observers distinguish the mental content from the sense of self. Techniques include tracking automatic thoughts, evaluating the evidence for core beliefs, and exploring how emotions arise. Self-inquiry may be done alone, with guided instruction, or in a therapeutic setting.

Potential outcomes include deeper self-understanding, improved emotional regulation, and more deliberate decision making. Limitations include the risk of rumination, overemphasis on the self, or cultural biases that shape what is considered true. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care when needed.

Related concepts include introspection, mindfulness, psychotherapy, and the philosophy of mind.