Getting Out of My Head - the Problem of Introspection

Many people today describe that they are 'living inside their own head'. This describes a state of disconnection from reality outside of myself – from other people and the natural world. In this lecture, Andrew Fellows looks at what introspection is, asks what it does to us, seeks the roots of the problem and examines some possible answers to it.

The talk last for approximately 55 minutes, followed by Q&A. The questions have been edited out as they were mainly inaudible, but the answers are helpful without knowing the question.

Extracts from the talk

“This is where the forces of modernity and modernism have led us – to the idolatry of introspection.”

A prayer for the introspective person:

Almighty and Eternal God,
So draw our hearts to you,
so guide our minds,
so fill our imaginations,
so control our wills,
that we may be wholly yours,
utterly dedicated to you.
And then use us as you want us
and always to your glory,
and to the welfare of your people.
Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

© 2005 L'Abri
This talk is provided by the kind permission of L'Abri Fellowship UK. It is available, along with many other L'Abri talks, in L'Abri's Ideas Library.