So, what is the difference between analysis and reflection anyway?

I've known people who are incredible analysts. They can look at any system or situation and gather impressive amounts of information. Their ability to remember relevant things is astounding and they invariably have the ability to recall incredible amounts of data. They wield equations as a martial artist would hold a sword.

I have great respect for analysis. My scientific background has trained me in a social philosophy geared towards coming closer to 'truth.' We know we'll never gain it, but we understand the basic human need to explore the world in a structured way. Science teaches one to share information with one another to push our human endeavor forward.

However, analysis alone does not create knowledge and information by itself is not power.

An obvious attempt to seem deep

I also have friends who contemplate the nature of the universe. They wander through life looking at flowers, trying to discern the Ultimate Truth from the color of their petals.

Which isn't as silly as it sounds.

I've often felt that if there is an underlying, governing force to the universe, that it will lay in waiting beneath every rock you turn and every rose you smell. The ability to derive meaning and interconnections from things fosters the expansion of the human mind. These friends are often wise and intuitive. I respect their reflections.

Yet, it is impossible to gain great wisdom from little experience. A reflection only appears when there is something before the mirror.

Another obvious attempt to seem deep

So, how does on get this elusive 'knowledge?' Where does it come from?

Well, my wise friends have it right, in my mind. You can see the universe in a grain of sand. Yet, I also believe that the search for information drives the human spirit to explore their world and gain the experience we need.

I've been thinking... wouldn't it be better to pursue the refinement of both these skills so we can fulfill both halves of this process? It seems like it's important to explore the world and be efficient in squeezing the most amount of information from our experiences, then stop and understand what it is that we have gotten. It requires the wisdom of a reflective mind to truly gain the most insight from what information we have.

Too bad wisdom conflicts with my science major and philosophy isn't conducive to gathering anything but debt. Oh well.