Moderation in self-analysis

Those unfamiliar with spirituality may have the idea that it requires obsessive physical sacrifice or at least obsessive mental commitment. Here's a more nuanced perspective on issues with self-analysis [1]:

[when] self-introspection becomes a fad [fashion], it leads to spiritual hypochondria;

[yet] neglect of a searching gaze within may result in:

• a delusive self-complacence and
• cessation of progress in the proper direction [1]

In simpler words, look within systematically, say a daily introspection, not just randomly or only when it is popular. Otherwise, you may end up imagining you are full of spiritual illnesses. And then waste time and energy - both yours and others' -  trying to recover from them. This is a falsely negative situation. Masochism is a vivid example.

In a falsely positive situation, you become complacent and self-satisfied, long before it is warranted. A competent trainer will tell you something along the lines of "Dilli abhi door hai" (Delhi is still far away).

Both situations are related to memory.

When one analyses using only a part of the relevant available data, the result is invalid. It may still be right or wrong, but since the process is incomplete, the result is undependable.

So if one reads, or better, hears about negative attitude or character, self-introspection then may bring up exactly that attitude or character within oneself. A self-fulfilling prophecy, in other words.

To get around this problem, Babuji said, "Forget thyself", instead of "know thyself". Of course, that doesn't mean doing immoral or unethical things and trying to forget one did it. Just avoid "spiritual hypochondria" through self-analysis, especially if that is done by someone else on you. Then it becomes other-analysis!

The other aspect, a false complacency (tuṣṭi), also comes from looking only at positive data within. This also blocks progress, but differently, by thinking no further progress is needed.

NOTES

[1] Sw. Sivananda (or Sw. Krishnananda - more likely from the phrasing), Divine Life magazine, 1959.