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Post by subsidinginsanity on Aug 9, 2012 9:55:12 GMT
I oftentimes hear the term "Total Non-Judgment" thrown around in the context of being a spiritual ideal of some sort that we should strive to achieve. Apparently, there is supposed to be a way to suspend all judgment and still go on living in this world. My contention is that such a state is neither possible nor necessary while we are here on earth.
Pretty much every action we take involves judgment. We decide what to wear, what to eat, we look both ways before crossing the street, even the decision not to judge, or not to listen to ego, is a judgment in itself of sorts, and so the term total non-judgment is probably an oxymoron. At any rate I don't see how it is possible here on earth. Maybe if one were in a state of suspended animation, but I hardly think such a state would lead to enlightenment.
Personally, I believe that total non-condemnation is more accurate, useful, and attainable. I would reserve it for people but not necessarily for their actions. Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts.
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Post by gruntal on Aug 9, 2012 23:18:34 GMT
Interestingly if one was enlightened then the very act of describing an event or object would betray your knowledge of same. Or lack there-of.
An example: being as how this is a spiritual place some users might be familiar with the 1990 North American A.M.O.R.C. er "thingie" and the participants such as Gary Steward and Christain Bernard. But don't ask me what happened because you can't even relate that without passing judgement on which version you accept as the truth. Then the arguments and fisticuffs ensue. Nuetrality is an illusion. You can run but you can not hide.
Oops I said too much already I might be in big trouble. Then again if I kept my mouth shut I might be judged if I knew but kept silent. Odd none of me friends agonize over this. I guess that is just the way it is.
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Post by cheryl on Aug 11, 2012 22:09:29 GMT
From my personal perspective, judgment is totally thought and ego driven. Not to be confused with making decisions and oh yeah…there is free will mixed in there too! Only your heart will truly know if you are judging and if it is thought or ego… That simple!
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Post by subsidinginsanity on Aug 12, 2012 5:01:46 GMT
gruntal, cheryl, try not to laugh, but I tend to look at it in terms of the angle and the devil on the shoulders of the decision maker. As complicated as life seems to be most decisions basically come down to only two choices, Love or fear. Do I listen to Spirit or the ego. The judgment aspect of it is important because that part is me, the decision maker. I believe that it is possible to judge without ego although it's difficult at times.
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Post by themaster on Aug 14, 2012 11:39:44 GMT
Is Total Non-Judgment Even Possible? Yes, it's called "unconditional love" Many people think that "not being able to judge their reality" is not possible.. aka.. I have to decide on the road the right path and all that.. But I think of judgment as a negative criticism of reality and the people in it.. and I think more the terms "decision" or choosing can affect the path you’re driving.. Aka you don't have to judge the highway vs. the avenue.. you can observe, decide than choose.. The inherit energy in the word judge is "negative" least that's the way I see it.. doesn't make the word bad  it's just negative.. So if you can start to hold the vibration of "unconditional love" and you can be NEUTRAL to your reality (the key to leaving judgment/negative mindset) then you can really leave judgment behind.. because you have cleared yourself of the distortion that there's something wrong with the world.. It's not a "easy" thing per say.. but it's not hard either.. this is the mindset the shift will give every person likely on earth.. |
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cyberangel
~ As above so below, as within so without ~
Posts: 818
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Post by cyberangel on Aug 14, 2012 17:03:43 GMT
I think it’s impossible as a human not to judge others as we are constantly judging ourselves in the process and it is how we learn. The difference is keeping these 'judgements' to ourselves and not to deliberately taint another person’s views or character by projecting ‘Our’ judgements of them onto others. Also when one is judging another it is usually based on our own morals, and who is to say ones morals are any better or worse than the next? Judge but keep your judgements to yourself (if possible) because at the end of the day there is only ONE who is really worthy of judging us.
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Post by subsidinginsanity on Aug 26, 2012 6:12:41 GMT
Yes, it's called "unconditional love" Many people think that "not being able to judge their reality" is not possible.. aka.. I have to decide on the road the right path and all that.. But I think of judgment as a negative criticism of reality and the people in it.. and I think more the terms "decision" or choosing can affect the path you’re driving.. Aka you don't have to judge the highway vs. the avenue.. you can observe, decide than choose.. The inherit energy in the word judge is "negative" least that's the way I see it.. doesn't make the word bad it's just negative.. So if you can start to hold the vibration of "unconditional love" and you can be NEUTRAL to your reality (the key to leaving judgment/negative mindset) then you can really leave judgment behind.. because you have cleared yourself of the distortion that there's something wrong with the world.. It's not a "easy" thing per say.. but it's not hard either.. this is the mindset the shift will give every person likely on earth.. Interesting post. Sorry it took so long to get back. Anyway, if you see judgment as "a negative criticism of reality" then shouldn't it be used to judge against evil and misdeeds? There isn't a day goes by that I don't judge against my ego simply because my ego is usually up to no good. If I always listened to ego I would be dead or in prison right now. I find that there is much to judge against in this world as far as actions and thoughts are concerned. Would you not agree then that total non-condemnation in relation to people is a bit more accurate? i.e. condemn the action but not the person. This still allows for unconditional love for all living things. The whole "There is something wrong with the world" idea is quite interesting. The world certainly appears to be far from perfect, but what I believe is that thoughts make matter. What we perceive is a reflection of an inward condition. So, if we see something wrong with the world we see something wrong with our self. Frankly, I'm still struggling with this idea. |
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Post by subsidinginsanity on Aug 26, 2012 6:21:58 GMT
I think it’s impossible as a human not to judge others as we are constantly judging ourselves in the process and it is how we learn. The difference is keeping these judgments' to ourselves and not to deliberately taint another person’s views or character by projecting ‘Our’ judgments of them onto others. Also when one is judging another it is usually based on our own morals, and who is to say ones morals are any better or worse than the next? Judge but keep your judgements to yourself (if possible) because at the end of the day there is only ONE who is really worthy of judging us. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is essentially judging against the ego. Not projecting those judgments on to others is a step forward, but is it not better to feel nothing at all but love for them? I think that great spiritual masters can honestly say that they love even the very worst kinds of people just as much as the very best kinds of people. Mother Teresa is one example of that. She did not condone misdeeds, but she loved everybody regardless. |
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cyberangel
~ As above so below, as within so without ~
Posts: 818
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Post by cyberangel on Aug 26, 2012 7:51:41 GMT
I agree that we should aspire to “feel nothing at all but love for them” but Mother Teresa was an exceptional person and I am afraid people like her are few and far between unfortunately. I do however, believe that humanity is on the cusp of a new awareness and this awareness is spreading further and further throughout the world. I absolutely have faith in love. I believe that with enough love nothing is impossible, it’s just some are so caught up in their own ego and fear of love that they close their hearts up, and we are all culpable of that. I do think every person is capable of experiencing periods of enlightenment, but its holding on to it, now that is the trick! And this search for enlightenment, where do you think that desire comes from? I have certainly discovered a lot of ego’s on my search for answers, my own included. How many of us have looked upon others posts and felt we knew better or that we have more knowledge based on ‘OUR OWN’ experiences? Humbleness is the opposite of ego, in my belief. My hope one day is to accomplish it or die trying  (I hope I have a long life ahead of me as I need all the time there is lol ;D) |
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Post by subsidinginsanity on Aug 27, 2012 1:51:27 GMT
Thanks cyberangel, a lot of that rings true. Personally, I've found that the only way I can even begin to contemplate unconditional love is to separate people from their actions. I don't think I ever really knew how to love anybody aside from my mother until I started ACIM. Yes, Mother Teresa was an exceptional person, but only because she realized what we all truly are. One day the mystery will be unveiled. (I hope I have a long life ahead of me as I need all the time there is lol ;D) We have all the time we need. I see death as a reset button. It's an opportunity to choose again. In fact, we have so much time that it sometimes depresses me. If I get to Heaven and God tells me I've got 200 more lifetimes to go I'm not going to be happy. At times I wish God would step in and if not directly impose his will on us then at least make himself obvious for the world to see. For most of us science appears real and God seems like an idea. So many never even try to do better Spiritually. I believe we all figure it out in the end, but it seems like God could be doing more to help us save time and lessen our suffering. |
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it's just negative..
