Peace, Judgement and Thanks

In my Bhagavad Gita class this week the focus of the meditation was peace. How we all desire peace. Personal peace. World peace. Peaceful relationships. Then it was asked how many of us are peaceful with ourselves? How do we sound when we are having those internal dialogues?

It is always a good reminder that most of us are most violent and judgmental about ourselves. The lesson continued suggesting that when we are busy judging others for their behavior, whatever it may be, it is perfectly fine as long as we remember that when we judge others, we are also judging ourselves.  It may not feel that way and certainly does not feel that way when we are in the throes of our assessments, but if we can remember to take a few moments after our external observations to look inside we can achieve a great amount of growth.

We all possess all the traits that are out there. Some to a greater degree and some to a lesser one, but we still can own it if we choose.  In so doing, we can open doors inside of ourselves that may have been shut for a long time. If you are busy at the time you have played judge, write down that which you have noted as “less than elegant” behavior in another. When you have time, sit with yourself and look for where you have done the same thing. As you go through all the passageways, walled off areas and slammed doors of yourself and begin to open them up, there is more room for light and joy and understanding. It does not have to take too long unless you are unwilling to admit that the behavior you are observing could NEVER be you.  That belief will lengthen the project for sure.

As you do this, be sure to give thanks for your willingness to do the work. The recognition that you are taking time to open the scary places within yourself.

The final thing that was pointed out is that we are all approaching Thanksgiving – which literally means to give thanks. How are most of you feeling about that? Is it Thanksgiving or is it Angergiving or Thanksduty or Thanksrequirement or Enforcedthanks?  There is still time to do this judgement exercise before the big holiday.  Give it a try. You’ll thank me for it!