Judge Not (Oh, Poo!)

This was the reading for Monday, so I read it, and as usual made notes.

However, for some reason, I just didn't feel compelled to go put it 

on the blog...it just hadn't really settled yet like the other readings had.

I remember thinking--I'll come back to this one, 

and maybe it will mean more at a later time. 

Well, hello!

I just needed Monday afternoon to happen.

So, as I reread it this morning, it fits more than ever.

Not that it didn't fit when I first read it Monday morning,

but when everything seems to be rocking along so nicely, it's easy

to forget some of the very wisdom that hits us in the face

at another time, when we are in the "heat" of it.

And again I say,

Judge Not

"Judge not, that you be not judged."
Matthew 7:1

It is a sobering thought that the finest act of love you can perform 

is not an act of service but an act of contemplation, of seeing. 

When you serve people you help, support, comfort, alleviate pain. 

(The easy part.)

When you see them in their inner beauty and goodness 

(even when in the moment you see everything but)

you transform and create.

Think of some of the people you like and are drawn to you. 

Now attempt to look at each of them as if you were seeing them 

for the first time, not allowing yourself to be influenced by your past 

knowledge or experience of them, whether good or bad. 

Look for things in them that you may have missed because of familiarity, 

for familiarity breeds staleness, blindness and boredom.

(Thus, perhaps, the need for separate/togetherness.)

You cannot love what you cannot see afresh. 

You cannot love what you are not constantly discovering anew.

(De-labeling)

Having done this move on now to people you dislike.

First observe what it is in them that you dislike, 

study their defects impartially and with detachment.

That means you cannot use labels like proud, lazy, selfish, arrogant.

(Well, phooey!)

The label is an act of mental laziness, 
for it is easy to stick a label onto someone.

It is difficult and challenging to see this person in his/her uniqueness.

You must study those defects clinically, 

that means you must first make sure of your objectivity.

(This is HARD!)

Consider the possibility that what you see as a defect in them 

may not be a defect at all but really something that your upbringing 

and conditioning have led you to dislike.

If after this you still see a defect there, 

understand that the origin of the defect lies in childhood experiences, 

past conditionings, faulty thinking and perceptions; 

and above all in unawareness, not in malice.

(But what about really MEAN people? They are out there, aren't they?

Is that where "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord" comes in? Karma, perhaps?)

As you do this your attitude will change into love and forgiveness, 

for to study, to observe, to understand is to forgive.

(Am I invited to practice this with the "easy" folks in my life

and trust that the "hard cases" will be dealt with?

This is where I really struggle.)

Having made this study of defects, now search for the treasures 

buried in this person that your dislike prevented you from seeing before.

And as you do this observe any change of attitude or feeling that comes 

over you, for your dislike had clouded the vision and prevented your from seeing.

You can now move on to each of the persons you live and work with, 

observing how each of them becomes transformed in your eyes 

when you look at them in this way.

In seeing them thus it is an infinitely more loving gift 

that you offer them than any act of service.

(Giving the gift of the benefit of the doubt!)

For in doing this you have transformed them, 

you have created them in your heart and, 

given a certain amount of contact between you and them, 

they will be transformed in reality too.

Now make this same gift to yourself. 

If you have been able to do it for others that should be fairly easy.

Follow the same procedure:

No defect, no neurosis is judged or condemned.

You have not judged others, you will be amazed now 

that you yourself are not being judged.

Those defects are probed, studied, analyzed, for a better understanding 

that leads to love and forgiveness, and you will discover to your joy 

that you are being transformed by this strangely loving attitude 

that arises within you toward this thing you call yourself.

An attitude that arises within you 

and moves out through you 

to every living creature.

(Obviously, I needed this lesson before I knew I would need it!)