omphaloskepsis

noun

om·​pha·​lo·​skep·​sis ˌäm(p)-fə-lō-ˈskep-səs 

: contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation

omphaloskepsis practiced by Eastern mystics

also : navel-gazing

… a preponderance of emotional self-awareness has sent us sliding dangerously into omphaloskepsis …

—Fiona McCann

Examples of omphaloskepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In an especially gorgeous slow movement, Dudamel revealed Mahler’s ethereal omphaloskepsis as navel gazing with Buddha-level profundity. —Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2021

The elite obsession with admissions policies at what are, after all, mostly elite institutions is omphaloskepsis-as-policy: The genuinely downtrodden are not applying to study at Haverford College. —Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 3 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Greek omphalós "navel" + -o- -o- + sképsis "perception, taking notice, examination, inquiry," from skep-, base of sképtomai, sképtesthai "to look at, expect, observe, inquire" + -sis -sis — more at spy entry 1

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above