Judgement.

This week’s topic for reflection is judgement. We judge others and we are judged by others. Sometimes this is done following a glance toward a stranger. Other times judging involves familiar people and situations. We also judge ourselves. What is required is a framework of judging to apply and a belief that we see clearly. Often the judgement is not openly expressed. Sometimes it is given and received quite harshly. This kind of judging involves a projection.

I remember being judged as a child and witnessing my brothers and sisters being judged. I particularly remember this judgement being delivered with passion and anger. It seemed very unfair and I felt helpless. It felt like the wrath of God.

Many people believe that Devine Judgement is administered when we die. No wonder people are often afraid of death, the unknown along with being judged. One way to see how you will be in death is to see how you are in life. Are you defensive, aggressive, judgmental and afraid or open curious and kind? Do you look for safety and comfort in obtaining things or are you open, sharing and loving toward others and yourself? Simply put do you love your neighbor as you love yourself? We literally loose everything we have when we die. What continues is “who” we are. If you embrace life without judging you will embrace death without being judged. If you love your neighbor death will be filled with love.

We need to practice not being judgmental. The most direct way to do this is by simply being kind. Be kind to yourself and be kind to everything else. Notice what’s around you and see the beauty in it. See the beauty in broken things and broken people. For example an old woman went into Jamba Juice before me today. She wasn’t particularly attractive or young. I liked the way she took a couple napkins out of the dispenser. The movement of her hand. I hear a slight judgment in that comment but I prefer to call it appreciation.

When you do zazen notice when you are being judgmental. There will always be thoughts and often emotion involved in this. Try to not be judgmental about it but just let it go and start over. Receive whatever arrives without clinging or pushing away. Everything is new and different so be curious and awake, present without judgement. Relax. Be kind. See the beauty.

Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81161003357?pwd=M0gwRjBENHZDbndUcFRrK004NlQ5Zz09

Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357

Passcode: 278259

Gassho,

Futai