Last week, I listed the 7 attitudes of mindfulness and said that we would look at each one of the 7 attitudes on Mindful Monday’s to follow. Today we are looking at :
The Attitude of Non-Judging
What does this mean? Well, as humans we tend to automatically categorize (e.g. good, bad, positive, negative, like, dislike etc) each and every thing we experience mostly without even being aware of it!
A more mindful approach would be to take the position of impartial witness to our experiences and be aware of the stream of judging and reacting to inner and outer experiences.
When you find the mind judging, you don’t have to stop it from doing that.
All that is required is to be aware of it happening.
Also – know that there is no need to judge the judging and beat yourself up about it.
That’s enough from me. I think that there is no-one who can better explain the attitude of non-judging than the Mindfulness guru himself – Jon Kabat-Zinn. He is so incredible to listen to. Enjoy!
Next Monday we will be looking at ‘The Attitude of Patience’.
Ciao for now,
This post is linked up with One Mother Hen’s – Open Slather
16 Comments
It’s hard to tell sometimes when we’re judging – but often we know when we are…
It is very hard to tell initially because we do it unconsciously! It takes practice to get an awareness that we’re judging and it’s not an easy thing to stop but at least being aware of it is a good place to start 🙂
I believe this is one of the hardest thing to not to – but it’s something I think we learn as we grow older. Kids don’t judge others and if I have my way mine won’t when they’re older either… monkey see monkey do
It’s very hard not to do Em but I have found that I am more open to experiences without judgement as I’ve got older and also as I’ve made a ‘mindful’ effort to have more awareness around my judgements. You are spot on with the ‘monkey see monkey do’. As kids, we can pick up on the judgements our parents make and make them our own and eventually they become unconscious judgements!
I guess the judging mind would cause us to miss out on some wonderful experiences and to embrace others way of life with an open mind. I must pay more attention and be aware when I am being judgemental.
Yes you’re right Alicia – to continue unconsiously judging everything we experience means losing out on some wonderful experiences or even meeting and getting to know some amazing people. Having an open mind and being aware of our judging minds is a gift 🙂
I am surprised at how intrinsic judging is. We do it without thinking. Constantly. It is assumed that judgment is bad, yet like stress I think that it has a biological purpose. We just need to learn to harness it for good and learn to let go of the judgement that is ultimately harming ourselves and others by preventing our growth.
Wow – well said Sarah! I agree with every word you said and wish I could have said it so well! 😉
I work on this a lot. Letting go of expectations ties in with letting go of judging and of expecting the world to be just like me and to my standards. I try to practice as you said – then not judging myself for judging. Critical xx
It’s interesting in itself just being aware of our judging. I think as humans we are all very judgmental so none of us are alone with that but it is in our best interest to be aware of it so that we might start to open ourselves up to experience things with more of an open mind and heart. I think I’ve got better at that. What I still need to improve on is that self-critical side of me which falls into the ‘not judging the judging’ part of this attitude of mindfulness. 😉 xo
I love this, thanks for sharing.
My pleasure – thank you 🙂
Thanks for the lovely reminder. I am a fan of Jon Kabat Zinn too and his voice is in my head! I have some of his CDs and books. I find it easier to be non-judgemental on others than on me. I will be better at it as time goes on…but it’s hard silencing that voice!
Denyse x
I need the reminding too Denyse. I must admit that I’m enjoying going back and reading these posts that I wrote so long ago, and of course watching the JKZ videos! I’m the same – easier to be non-judgemental of others than ourselves, but then being aware of that fact is a start at least! x
Hi Min, I have to admit I was quite judgemental in my younger years. I was probably too black and white and although I might not have let my feelings show to others I knew how I felt. These days I much more open and not so quick to make up my mind about a person or situation. Great video and a good reminder. Thanks for hosting #ZTT and I love that it has prompted me to think and write more about all aspects of Zen. xx
I think there’s an element of ‘being judgemental’ in all of us Sue! It’s the degree that differs from person to person. I’ve learned to have a much more open mind but I still have to consciously make an effort to do so on many an occasion! I love listening to Jon Kabat Zinn – he has a wonderful way of looking at things and really opens my mind and thoughts and perspectives. I’m so happy you’re enjoying ZTT – thank you! 🙂 xo