navel gazing

Noun

navel-gazing (countable and uncountable, plural navel-gazings)

1. The contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation.
   • Forget incense and the lotus position, forget notions of "getting rid of thoughts" or "navel gazing," meditation is, more broadly and more helpfully for most people, getting to know our minds and hearts.2018, Leah Weiss, “Introduction”, in How We Work: Live Your Purpose, Reclaim Your Sanity, and Embrace the Daily Grind, New York, N.Y.: Harper Wave, HarperCollins, →ISBN

   Synonyms:

   navel-watching, omphaloskepsis

2. (derogatory) An excessive focus on oneself; self-indulgent introspection.
   • To whom, except to the author, could these narcissistic navel-gazings be of interest?1971 January 18, John Simon, “Winters’ Tales”, in Clay S[chuette] Felker, editor, New York, volume 3, number 3, New York, N.Y.: NYM Corporation, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 48, column 2

   Synonyms:

   navel-watching, omphaloskepsis

3. (derogatory, sometimes) A (disproportionate) concentration on a single issue.
   • In spite of efforts by the government to focus public attention on the economy and to turn Canadians away from constitutional navel gazing to the outward challenges of the global economy, it was the election of Bill Clinton to the American presidency that set the mood for political change at home.1993, Fen Osler Hampson, Christopher J. Maule, “Global Jeopardy”, in Christopher J. Maule, Fen Osler Hampson, editors, Global Jeopardy: Canada among Nations 1993–94 (Carleton Public Policy Series...