Navel-gazing or omphaloskepsis is the contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation.[1]
Four statues depicting omphaloskepsis
The word derives from the Ancient Greek words ὀμφᾰλός (omphalós, lit.'navel') and σκέψῐς (sképsis, lit.'viewing, examination, speculation').[1]
Actual use of the practice as an aid to contemplation of basic principles of the cosmos and human nature is found in the practice of yoga or Hinduism and sometimes in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[2] In yoga, the navel is the site of the manipura (also called nabhi) chakra, which yogis consider "a powerful chakra of the body".[3][self-published source][4] The monks of Mount Athos, Greece, were described as Omphalopsychians by J.G. Millingen, writing in the 1830s, who says they "...pretended or fancied that they experienced celestial joys when gazing on their umbilical region, in converse with the Deity".[5]
However, phrases such as "contemplating one's navel" or "navel-gazing" are frequently used, usually in jocular fashion, to refer to self-absorbed pursuits.[6]
navel, gazing, navel, gazing, omphaloskepsis, contemplation, navel, meditation, four, statues, depicting, omphaloskepsisthe, word, derives, from, ancient, greek, words, ὀμφᾰλός, omphalós, navel, σκέψῐς, sképsis, viewing, examination, speculation, actual, pract. Navel gazing or omphaloskepsis is the contemplation of one s navel as an aid to meditation 1 Four statues depicting omphaloskepsisThe word derives from the Ancient Greek words ὀmfᾰlos omphalos lit navel and skepsῐs skepsis lit viewing examination speculation 1 Actual use of the practice as an aid to contemplation of basic principles of the cosmos and human nature is found in the practice of yoga or Hinduism and sometimes in the Eastern Orthodox Church 2 In yoga the navel is the site of the manipura also called nabhi chakra which yogis consider a powerful chakra of the body 3 self published source 4 The monks of Mount Athos Greece were described as Omphalopsychians by J G Millingen writing in the 1830s who says they pretended or fancied that they experienced celestial joys when gazing on their umbilical region in converse with the Deity 5 However phrases such as contemplating one s navel or navel gazing are frequently used usually in jocular fashion to refer to self absorbed pursuits 6 See also editHesychast controversy Kundalini Palamism Qigong Self hypnosis TranceReferences edit a b omphaloskepsis Merriam Webster com Dictionary Retrieved 2013 06 22 Becker Udo 2000 The Continuum Encyclopedia of Symbols Continuum International p 210 ISBN 978 0 8264 1221 8 Craig Royal L 2010 Whispers beyond the Edge Xlibris p 99 ISBN 978 1 4500 7972 3 Norbu Chogyal Namkhai 2008 Yantra Yoga Snow Lion p 15 ISBN 978 1 55939 308 9 Millingen J G 1839 Curiosities of Medical Experience 2nd ed London Richard Bentley p 40 Retrieved 2 March 2018 Lyn E R 2009 Abbreviations Acronyms Glossary for American Readers CreateSpace p 490 ISBN 978 1403360496 nbsp This article about a philosophical concept is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Navel gazing amp oldid 1166191392, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
