Judgment and Discernment
A statue of a woman, representing justice, with a blindfold holding scales and a sword
The judgmental part of me I’ve affectionately named, “Shirl.” She has served as a strong protector for many years of my life. Shirl was always ready to step in and tell me how to act, what to say, and how generally not to embarrass myself. She judged me before anyone else had a chance, and as a by product she has kept me safe, but small, tame, and inauthentic.
Perhaps it’s the hormones of menopause, but I am done playing small and I couldn’t care less about being tame. Authenticity calls to me, and I can’t wait to live the way I am meant to live. Through therapy, I’ve asked Shirl to retire, because I no longer find her useful. I have more important things to do than worry about if my toenails are painted before I show my feet in sandals. Ah, the freedom that comes from not caring!
The freedom I’ve felt since letting Shirl fade into the background of my mind is transformative. I am so ready to be done with judgment of both myself and others. Judgment may have taken up too much time and space in the past, but its cousin, discernment, is actually an integral part of the yogic path.
Where judgment increases duality and polarization, discernment brings us closer to Truth and the feeling of being whole. Judgment is quick and full of all our personal and societal biases. Discernment is thoughtful and more inclusive. Discernment is a way of retaining balance and equanimity.
Viveka, translated as “unwavering discriminative discernment” or “clear seeing”, is discussed the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and remains an integral part of the path to enlightenment. When we are able to see clearly, illusions dissolve, and we understand the Truth. We see what is Real.
According to Reverend Jaganath Carrera in his translation and commentary of the Yoga Sutras, “Through viveka, the causes of suffering are recognized. Therefore, there is nothing more to be known on this subject. The causes of suffering, having been identified, are progressively weakened.”
A modern example of viveka could be your personal deconstruction of learned societal opinions that cause suffering, such as bodies should look young and thin in order to be considered good. Clearly this is not true, as all bodies are good bodies. They just may look and work differently from the traditional beauty standard. The notion of bodies looking young and thin an illusion built by our patriarchal society.
The deeper you dig into viveka, the more you may question your beliefs. After all, beliefs are just thoughts you say to yourself over and over again, and may not actually be rooted in Truth.
While the concept of viveka may be simple to understand, its practice can be difficult and takes daily effort. Judgment comes quickly and in so many different forms, it can get overwhelming. Increasing discernment may be easier for some by having a regular yoga, meditation, or other formal spiritual practice. Others may need a therapist to work through the tendency toward judgment. No matter what you do, I encourage you to get started. Your inner Shirl must be quieted. If not now, when?