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Foundations of Mindfulness: Non-Judgment

Nadia K

Part III of the Foundations of Mindfulness: The Principle of Non-Judgment

Did you know that an attitude of non-judgment can help settle your mind? Every day, whether we realize it or not, we judge and label our experiences, other people, and ourselves as good or bad:

…This is good, this is bad.

…I’ll give this post a like, I’ll scroll past this post.

…I’m having a good day, I’m having a bad day.

…I like this person, I don’t like this person.

We go through our day (unconsciously & consciously) judging other people, ourselves, and our experiences. Every judgment creates cause and effect in some small or large way. What would it be like to simply experience something, without judgment?

Watch Muse Meditation Teacher Palma Michel, CEO Coach and Host of the Explorer’s Mind Podcast share the importance of cultivating an impartial witness in our everyday experiences and how an attitude of non-judgment can help settle your mind.

Follow Palma @palmamichel_ and her new podcast @explorers_mind_podcast

 

What is Non-Judgment?

Mindfulness is cultivated by assuming the stance of an impartial witness to our own experience so that we can bring awareness to our unconscious judgments.

As with all automatic reactions, judgment happens very quickly, as we place our experiences into categories into liking or not liking, wanting, or not wanting.

Non-judgement is the ability to realize that these experiences are just happening, and have nothing to do with you. They are neither good nor bad, they’re just happening and they will pass.

 

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Part III of our Foundations of Mindfulness series is focused on the principle of: Non-Judgement Everyday whether we realize it or not, we judge and label our experiences, other people, and ourselves as good or bad: this is good, this is bad. I’ll give this post a like, I’ll scroll past this post. I’m having a good day, I’m having a bad day. I like this person, I don’t like this person. Every judgement creating cause and effect in some small or large way. What would it be like if we stopped all of that judgement? What would it be like to simply experience this moment, without judgment? Take a moment now: pause for 30 seconds to sit here, and try to not think about whether this moment, and everything it holds, is good or bad … just observe the sensations of the moment. Don’t think about those sensations, just experience them, without labels. You can imagine how powerful it is exercise this skill with different people, new experiences, new feelings. Dropping the judgement and arriving to each new circumstance with an “empty cup”. Imagine how much more open and compassionate we would be able to be. As humans it’s in our nature to judge, it’s part of our survival insctincts… but that doesn’t mean we arn’t capable of change. Take some time today to practice non-judgement with yourself, others, and the world at large. Experience thoughts as they arise without labeling them as good, bad, right, or wrong. #meditation #mindfulness #nonjudgement

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Why Should We Cultivate Non-Judgement?

To simply experience a moment as it is, free of judgment is a true gift. It allows us to put a halt to that inner critic and how we perceive both our inner and outer worlds.

Dropping the judgment and arriving at each new circumstance with an “empty cup” allows us to connect with different people, new experiences, and new feelings. Imagine how much more open and compassionate we could be.

Non-judgment, guided meditation

Listen to our Attitudes of Mindfulness Collection on the Muse app, with meditations intended to give you tools to become more mindful. Each meditation includes helpful instructions upfront to prepare for your practice.

 

Tips on Developing Non-Judgement

Take a moment now:

Pause for 30 seconds to sit here, and try to not think about whether this moment and everything it holds, is good or bad – just observe the sensations of the moment. Don’t think about those sensations, just experience them, without labels.

 

Mind

Bring focus to your body and breath. When your mind begins to wander, simply note it and use it as an opportunity to practice an attitude of non-judgment. Notice what happens to the critical or judgmental thoughts when you respond with kindness and curiosity to experience this moment without labeling it.

Body

Do a body scan to check for any areas that might feel tense or tight. We tend to negatively judge tension or tightness as naturally, it does not feel pleasant. In that case, we might label it as a “bad experience” which is more judging. If you notice that you are judging – simply say to yourself “judging” and let the thought go.

Breath

Let your breath be your guide and anchor – always bringing your attention back to your breath when your mind starts to wander. If your attention continues to drift away from the sensation of breathing (which it will!) use it as another opportunity to practice non-judgment. It’s helpful to remember that the wandering mind is not a mistake and you’ve done nothing wrong. It’s simply what minds like to do!

 

As humans it’s in our nature to judge, it’s part of our survival instinct… but that doesn’t mean we aren’t capable of change. Take some time today to practice non-judgment with yourself, others, and the world at large. Experience sensations as they arise without labeling them as good, bad, right, or wrong.

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