Judge not …
Judge not …
( 01 / 22 / 2012 )
“ A hallucination is a fact , not an error ; what is erroneous is any judgment we base upon it .” ~ Bertrand Russell
We have a habit of criticizing others … We have a habit of analyzing their choices and attempting to correct their mistakes … We have a habit of witnessing a certain behavior and then formulating a general opinion about the person who performed it . We catch someone lying to us and we label them a “ liar ”. We see someone behaving fearfully and we label them “ a coward ”. We see another consciously causing another being pain and we label them “ evil ”.
Fair enough — sometimes our analysis might even be correct . We might very well be able to guess another ’ s motives correctly ( though most of the time we do not ), and yet no matter how accurate our observations might be , the only thing that we are truly illuminating in such moments are our own tendencies … We cannot see the “ liar ” in another without currently in some way being a liar ourselves . We cannot see the “ coward ” in another without currently in some way behaving like a coward ourselves . Indeed , we cannot even see the “ evil ” in another without being “ evil ” enough to arrogantly make that very judgment !
And yet , we continue to point those fingers … We continue to analyze and criticize and correct and condemn . This instinct is so deeply programmed in us all , and you might believe it is too difficult for you to discontinue . If so , fair enough — just remember the next time ( s ) you do so that every time you point one finger outward at another , there are always three fingers pointing back at yourself ; that it is a patent Truth that we can only “ see ” in others what we ourselves already are , recently were or are about to be .
So judge all you want , folks — just remember to catch yourself doing so ; look in the mirror and humbly see the same tendency in yourself , and then act with compassion immediately thereafter ; especially towards the very person you are judging .
Please remember that none of us are our mistakes … that none of us are our “ sins ” … that none of us are our behaviors . You are a Beauty-full , Kind & Caring being who sometimes makes selfish mistakes … And so , too , is EVERYONE else in your life . Please remember this today — … and please act accordingly .
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