It seems there is an assault on sound judgment within the ranks of the New Age spiritual movement. The more time progresses, the more the idea that it is never okay to judge anyone for anything comes about. Is this true? Is this a proper way of life? Can we really go through life without judging others or even ourselves? As with all things, there is a duality to this answer. While it is true that we should not judge others harshly or treat them unfairly based on such judgment, it is equally true that we must become capable and strive for sound judgment in all things. There is somewhat of a slippery slope to this task. What is sound judgment? Who gets to make that determination? This is where the slope becomes extra slippery. Judgment must always be grounded in truth rather than belief or faith. Judgment should seek to expose lies and misunderstandings by expressing truth. However, how can we be sure that our judgment is sound and that our understanding is truth? We simply cannot. There are things that we know, things we know in part, and things we know nothing of. Most things fall neatly into the category of ‘things we know in part’ and thus we cannot be sure of our own understanding entirely. However, the only understanding we can truly know is our own. That being the case, we must seek to increase that understanding if we desire to pass sound judgment upon ourselves and ESPECIALLY if we desire to help others by offering judgment upon situations. We must increase our knowledge and be continually questioning of ourselves and of the world around us. If there is an opportunity to become educated about a topic, seize that opportunity. In the Age of Information, the internet is everywhere. If you have internet access, you have an infinite library at your fingertips. By the time you finish reading this, the internet will have grown tremendously in size. There simply is no excuse for ignorance among spiritual seekers any longer. So then, sound judgement can be labelled and defined as judgement based on truth. Nothing less qualifies. If we are being truthful in our judgement then it is sound. However, the very idea of judgement seems to invoke negativity among most. The New Age crowd is no exception to that. Sound judgement has become so rare that it is almost unrecognizable to most. When we think of passing judgement we immediately think of rude behavior, derogatory commentary, highlighting negative traits, and exposing character flaws. While some of that may be a part of sound judgement, those things certainly are not always associated with sound judgement. Further, rudeness and derogatory commentary are typically the last things one would want to incorporate when trying to pass sound judgement. We can be kind judges for ourselves and for those around us. We can tell the truth without being offensive. This does not mean that others will not get offended. Such is not the case. People will become offended. The truth is painful at times and many resist it. This is why it is important to pass sound judgement upon yourself FIRST. Ask yourself if this person will be receptive of your judgement and if the answer is, “no”, then why bother? Why offend them for no results? Why cause a problem where none is necessary? Also, we must judge ourselves to ensure that we are simply offering sound judgement to others rather than trying to assert ourselves over them. We know our hearts. We know our true motives and desires. A working model for sound judgement is based on cooperative behavior. We must be open to the judgement of others, especially if we intend to judge them. We must communicate with one another and recognize our own shortcomings as well. It is entirely possible to recognize a problem within yourself and thus be able to pass sound judgement regarding that problem on someone else. As a matter of fact, the best judgement we can provide is judgement based on our own problems. As the old saying goes, “It takes one to know one.” That is very true. Take drug addiction for instance. Who is better at recognizing drug addiction than someone who has dealt or is dealing with it themselves? Who better to recognize a health issue than someone dealing with the same issue themselves? Who is more suited to expose someone’s tendencies to be a liar than another liar? This issue is a common wedge between judge and the judged. Often the person being judged is resentful of the judgement due to the fact that the judge is flawed. This is illogical. Of course the judge will always be flawed, no matter who it is. We are all flawed. The ability to recognize our own flaws is the first and most important part of becoming able to pass sound judgement. Those of us that have taken the roles of teachers, seers, mystics, and seekers of knowledge are often accused of being hypocritical or manipulative. Of course, many times it may be true. However, even if the judge IS a hypocrite it does not reduce the truth. Truth can be uttered even by fools though they may not understand it. Do not disregard a message simply because the messenger is flawed. Do not reject sound judgement because the judge is not perfect. Those of us that have chosen these paths of knowledge are bound to be accused of such things sooner or later. No matter how many people love and are improved by your words, many more will be offended and resentful of you. In the words of Pythagoras, “Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.” Do not concern yourself if they reject you and even despise you. There are multitudes that despise knowledge. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Do not be shaken or upset by such rejection. Continue your path and light the way for others. There are those that will listen, though few they are. Be steadfast and remember to judge yourself FIRST. Do not use sound judgement as a means to place yourself above your brethren but use sound judgement as a way to uplift them. Be receptive of the judgement of others and always test to be sure the judgement comes from a place of truth. Again, truth can come from any vessel. Even a liar can tell the truth. “Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.” - Pythagoras
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March 2017
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