Freedom from the Judging Mind
A simple path to a happier life
Our heads play hostel to a horde of different minds. We each have our anxious mind, our jealous mind, our excited mind, and a checkered cast of others.
My personal favourite is the judging mind — it’s tragically funny when you start looking at it closely.
And there’s a simple way to get free.
The path to freedom
You are not your Judging Mind
— it’s just a muscle. When we continually flex that muscle — even subconsciously — it grows more dominant.
The judging mind loves the limelight. Even when it’s not driving, it tends to sing out directions from the backseat — don’t we all hate that?!
The path to freedom starts with simply noticing the activity of the judging mind.
Micro-judgments
We’re usually aware of when we tend to be overtly judgmental. So, let’s look at something more subtle — those tiny, judgmental thoughts that whisper away in our subconscious.
These are what I’ll call micro-judgments. Try keeping an eye out for them, to begin with.
As you start observing, you might be shocked at how subtly pervasive our micro-judgments can be — targeting ourselves, loved ones, and strangers alike. It’s a bit like planning to buy a Honda Civic, and suddenly seeing Honda Civics everywhere you go.
When I began paying attention to my micro-judgments, I was shocked at their prevalence — micro-judgments underpin many of my habitual thought patterns.
In the moments of clarity — when you notice your micro-judgments trickling out — you’re ready for the next step.
First, gently acknowledge the judging mind playing its role so devilishly well. (Credit where credit’s due.)
Then, mindfully choose to focus your attention elsewhere — look up at the trees, smile at the next passerby, or simply be with the air moving in and out of your lungs.
Appreciate the comedy
Once you’re on the path to freedom, you’ll become keenly aware of when other people are flexing their judging mind. And it will probably grate on you. If you’re anything like me, you might think to yourself:
“Wow, can this person not hear how judgmental they’re being? They think they’re so superior…”
And then, in a moment of lucidity —
“Ahh… Hello, judging mind.”
And then, before you even realise what’s happening —
“God I’m a failure! Here I am judging this person, just when I thought I was making prog —
…“Oh shit.”
The judging mind is a snake eating its own tail. And it’s tragically funny.
You don’t need to admonish yourself for the judging mind’s antics — no one is immune to it. So chuckle at yourself for being human, and carry on living.
What changes?
When we live with a dominant judging mind, we subconsciously assume other people see us through that same lens. This colours our self-image.
When we instead notice our judgments and choose to let them go each time they arise (as they always will), we foster a sense of connectedness to the people around us — our fellow humans, moving through the world.
Two key things will happen:
1. You’ll start treating yourself better
— with more compassion, and less beholden to the opinions of others.
2. Other people will start treating you better
— returning the respect and gratitude you put out into the world.
Now don’t kid yourself — you’re still going to have judgmental thoughts. Freedom from the judging mind isn’t the absence of judgment — it’s seeing our judgment more clearly, and choosing to let it go.
Follow this path, and your experience of the world will change fundamentally — towards greater presence, enjoyment, and appreciation for being alive.
