Mindfulness practice is defined as “Non-judgmental, moment to moment awareness”. The third foundation of Mindfulness is Non Judgement.
When we start paying attention to our thoughts we soon realize all the ideas and opinions we have about everything. So how do we get to gently be Non-judgmental?
Listen to our Podcast & Guided Meditation:
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment. Mindfulness has many benefits for us at work and in personal life, such as increased focus and happiness. The practice can help us reduce stress and anxiety.
There are Seven attitudinal foundations of MINDFULNESS described by Jon Kabat-Zinn as the “major pillars of mindfulness practice”. The third one is Non Judging.
When we meditate, we have stream of thoughts; judging, judging, judging..
We start to see that we are constantly labeling and judging everything as: Good/Bad, This/That, Black/White, Like/Dislike, want or don’t want.
The practice of not judging is not so that there won’t be any non judging, rather its to help us recognize the constant way we operate. It’s to help us cultivate Discernment – the ability to judge well.
If we can be aware of our thinking, the lens from which we see everything, if we can gently Non Judge then we will have Clarity, Understanding to see things as they are. From this we will have freedom and new way to Respond vs. Reacting.
Non Judgement: With embodying a willingness to witness the present without any judgement leads to clarity to see things as they are.
REFLECT: As you settle, what thoughts come to mind. Does your mind then wander and can you see any judgements coming up about a person, event
RESPOND: See if you can Note your feelings, sensations without getting hooked into the experience.
INTEGRATE: Remember this “nonjudgmental noting” exercise and it will help you practice separating your judgment of your experiences from the experiences themselves.
“Only a non-judgmental mind has intelligence, because it is spontaneously responding to reality.”
OSHO
About the Author of Quote: Rajneesh (born Chandra Mohan Jain, 11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990), also known as Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, and later as Osho, was an Indian mystic, and founder of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime, he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic.
