Our Ever-Judging Mind
Seeing beyond our instant labels and opinions
Our minds are constantly judging. It's an automatic process: we label situations, form instant opinions about people, and critique ourselves. This happens so quickly, we don't even notice it. We believe this keeps us sharp.
But what if this constant stream of judgment is actually keeping us from seeing reality clearly?
Each judgment—"good," "bad," "right," "wrong"—is a map we create. It's a simplified story we tell ourselves about the world. When we get lost in these stories, we stop experiencing the territory: our life as it is actually unfolding. We end up reacting to our own labels instead of responding to reality.
What does it look like to work with our judgmental nature instead of being controlled by it?
Trying to force ourselves to stop judging is a futile effort that just leads to more self-judgment. A more effective practice is to simply notice the judgment as it arises, without immediately believing its story.
This creates a small space of awareness. In that space, we can:
Notice the Judging Thought: We can simply acknowledge its presence without criticism. "Ah, there's a judging thought."
Get Curious About It: Instead of accepting the judgment as truth, we can ask a gentle question. "What's this judgment based on?" or "Is this thought helpful right now?"
Gently Redirect to Observation: We can then choose to shift our focus from the judgment back to direct, non-judgmental observation. What do we actually see and hear, beyond our label for it?
This is the practice of an "empty mind" in action. It’s how we can cultivate the skill of responding mindfully instead of reacting automatically. It allows for more clarity, more compassion, and a more honest engagement with the world.
What if you noticed one judging thought today, without getting caught in its story?
With clarity,
/rajesh