catalyst

There is a difference between self-analysis and over-analysis. Most things, when carried to an extreme, are harmful in some way. Since we are discussing personal opinion, IMO a balance pretty much always needs to be struck between two opposite poles, if you will.

Of course, one of the ways to determine if you have achieved this is critical self-examination.

premjan

if you are over-analyzing, self-analysis will not help you to find this out.

catalyst

Why not? And I am serious. I tend to over-analyze things, and at times I find the need to simply step back a review what I am doing. A meta-analysis, if you will. Rather like asking myself 'how important is this with respect to accomplishing my goals?"

premjan

works sometimes, but I doubt there are multiple hardware layers in the brain for analyzing things at many multiple removes. in other words, you may discover that you lose the capacity for abstract thought if you impose successive layers of analysis. Plus you may find your goals eroding as you rationalize various things to yourself. It can happen.

Mageth

For anyone interested in learning a bit more about Native American mythology, I'd highly recommend the book Black Elk Speaks, by by John G. Neihardt.

Here it is online.