Judge Mental

 Some of us were talking a few days ago about Forgiveness and what it is and the process to be able to actual be able to forgive and not just say it or think it without meaning.

And during this time someone talked about Being Judgemental of others and how that gets in the way of being able to forgive.

So, before I continue, it is time to define the difference between making a Judgement and Being Judgemental. And, as always, I shall use dictionary.com as part of this.

Judgement (Noun)
1) an act or instance of judging.
   Synonyms: determination
2) the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion.
     a man of sound judgment.
   Synonyms: prudence, intelligence, wisdom, sagacity, perspicacity, discernment, discrimination
3) the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity.
     The major was decorated for the judgment he showed under fire.
4) the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, as from circumstances presented to the mind.
     Our judgment as to the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence.
5) the opinion formed.
     He regretted his hasty judgment.
Law.

1. a judicial decision given by a judge or court.
2. the obligation, especially a debt, arising from a judicial decision.
3. the certificate embodying such a decision and issued against the obligor, especially a debtor.

7) a misfortune regarded as inflicted by divine sentence, as for sin.
8) Theology. Judgment. Last Judgment.

I think that for this context numbers 2, 4, and 5 are the best ones. You may, of course, form your own opinion.

Judgemental (Adjective)

1) involving the use or exercise of judgment.

2) tending to make quick and excessively critical judgments, especially moral ones.

       to avoid a judgmental approach in dealing with divorced couples.

3) of or denoting an attitude in which judgments about other people's conduct are made

For me, in this context especially, number 2 fits the best. And, again, you may have a different opinion on this. No worries. This is why we have this discussion, and all others, to discover and celebrate similarities and differences.

My personal definition of Being Judgemental is thus, I form a judgement about something that you have said or done. I have made you completely and totally wrong about this. I look at you as not only wrong, I also see you as morally less than me. And then I broadcast that to the world in some way. Usually disguised as Concern.

As you can see from all this Being Judgemental is a really harmful place to be. It harms those whom I am broadcasting this stuff about and it also harms me, the person being judgemental.

It harms others because I am defaming them with my opinion and recruiting others into defaming them as well. This causes anger and unrest.

I am hurting myself by carrying around anger and by the act of defaming. Even though I Feel justified there is a part of me that knows this is wrong. And by carrying that load I am separating myself from Humanity.

Some years ago I came up with an internal "visual" aide for myself to help me to break the cycle when I get into a Judgemental place. I began to envision myself putting on the black Judges Robe, usually along with the British Barristers Wig, not always, and then being up on a really high seat behind a Judges Bench.

Thus creating the Character of Judge Mental.

And the very ridiculousness of that image helps me too break out of that place where I feel entitled to make these very critical "judgements" about others and to feel "morally superior" to them.

And to become, again, Human.

So folks, a few questions for you:

• Do you ever find yourself in a place where you are harshly judging others?
• Do you have a hard time recognizing it because you are "justified"?
• When you are there do you recognize the harm that you are doing?

If you answered Yes to any of those, what do you do?

Anyway, here is the little thing that I felt like writing about today. I hope that you found some sort of edification within this.

And, if you found that you could identify with any of this drop a comment about that below.

And if you think this is Horse Hockey (Thank You Col Sherman Potter) then please drop a comment about that below.

Or, any other thing that you feel like talking about.

I want to hear from YOU.

Namaste 🙏