Daisy posted a query about being judgemental.

Being able to judge if something is correct or not is part of being sentient.

 We all have a longing for things to be perfect. I know I do, for if everyone was nicer, it would make my life easier! Still, we all feel the same way: this could be a better world.

 We live in a conventional, relative existence, so we have to deal with what we have…it’s called samsara – the vicious cycle of existence. We seek happiness, usually in conventional things. If we find a form of happiness, we have to then maintain it and protect it, and then we get frustrated that it does not last. This leads to anger, and then we embark on another hunt for happiness somewhere else. Exhausting isn’t it? We can see that the search for happiness actually causes us suffering.

 Recognising that is the first noble truth – the recognition that we suffer. The other three noble truths are: realising the cause of suffering, finding the path/method to dissolve that suffering, and then treading that path.

 And so it is that we are judgemental about people, which creates emotions in our minds. When we recognise that life cannot be perfect – when we truly recognise this – we can start to relax…and give up trying. We are all on our own paths or journeys to find our way home: some travel faster, and some more slowly. The term “path” refers to the confusion surrounding us, which has to be dismantled, or recognised as not truly existing.

 As we are not enlightened yet, judgements will always arise. Judgement is a response to a situation..but it was not the first response! It was the third response:

there are eight consciousnesses – the five of the senses, and then the 6^th,7^th and 8^th of the mind (the 6^th is perception, 7^th judgement 8^th memory). When we perceive something through the senses, that is the 6^th consciousness. That perception almost immediately goes to the 8^th consciousness for recognition, then down to the 7^th for judgement, to see whether we like it or not. That is our usual loop of operation as sentient beings. It just happens – it’s our survival mode.

 We just have to accept that judgements will arise. This is just our karmic reaction – it is a product from our past, so we do not have to feel guilty. If we react based on that judgement, we merely deepen our karmic reaction (habit), thus creating more karma. However, if we do not re-enact, a gap takes place in the mind: a space occurs, and no karma is created. Then we are free to choose whether to respond or not.

 If we will respond for the benefit of others, good karma is created. If we remain silent, this crates no karma. Although good karma eases our path, both bad and good karma finally have to be exhausted.

 I know this is a long answer, but there may be others reading who want to know some details. Basically, the mind will judge – merely note it. Gradually, all judgements will reduce in power. As with the emotions, their immediate presence shows a sharp mind, and merely reflects what is seen.

 We should always check that what we judge is not in ourselves also. However, sometimes we may have to bark…but not bite! This takes us onto the four enlightened activities of: pacifying, magnetise, enriching and destroying…but I’ll leave that to another day!

All the best,

Tony