Focusing Inward

From the Urban Tarot, the Hermit; from the Principles to Live By Tiles, Discernment:

It is when people lack vigilance that they make the most mistakes. This is especially the case these days, since most people focus their attention outward, instead of looking in at themselves. —Tulku Pema Rigtsal

The Hermit represents retirement from the outside, busy world in order to take time for self-reflection. It's mighty hard to do that when you're surrounded by people and distractions, so this Hermit has found an abandoned structure for his refuge. Such reflection involves examining one's actions, thoughts and growth. Unlike navel-gazing, which keeps us stuck in an unproductive loop of obsessive, self-indulgent, rumination, its purpose is to us move us forward - through self-awareness that leads to action, problem-solving, and personal accountability. Discernment, the ability to see clearly and objectively, invites us to wipe off our lens; strong desires and emotions, opinions, and assumptions can cause a foggy view of reality. As William James warns, "A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices."