J - JUDGE NOT

Judge not, and you shall not be judged….  Says the Bible, and how true, we have the tendency to keep judging everyone around us, our minds have become so accustomed to this fact, that judging comes naturally to us. Very often we judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions.

I remember, how quick I used to be in judging, when I see alcoholics, chain smokers and drug addicts.  It was very difficult to accept these people in my life, I used to get angry, and justify my anger. When some one judged me of my behaviour, I had enough reasons to justify.

Then I began working in service sectors which provided me opportunity to work in different groups of people. I worked with street children, run away children, youth infected with HIV/AIDS and women in distress.  It was very difficult for me to understand them, and I judged them harshly, branding them and labeling them, it took me sometimes to accept them as they are. When I explored reasons and causes, it was shocking to know the circumstances in which they lived and how to escape from abusive and exploitative situations, they had to land up on the streets, run away from their homes and sometimes end up in risky behaviour.

Some of their stories are so sad, when we listen from our hearts, we get to see from their perspective, as to what led them to these situations, we would infact start appreciating the courage they have displayed in getting out exploitative and abusive situations of life.  When we observe them closely, we will come to believe, that every person is struggling to live his/her own life.

As a psychological counselor at the university, I meet a lot of students, who come to the centre for various psychological problems like phobias, fear, anxiety, adjustment issues, relationship problems etc.  My primary role is to listen to them non judgmentally, which means that my mind must be totally free and open. As a counselor, I am expected to maintain confidentiality, and at the same to provide space for them to ventilate, in an atmosphere of trust and facilitate the process of helping them to deal with their own issues.

That does not mean, that my mind is totally free, and I do not judge.  It only means that I am aware of my thoughts coming to my mind, but I do not let it interfere in my counseling.  Today I want to remind myself with Jesus words, who said “Judge not, and you shall not be judged “

Happy Ugadhi to all my Friends !

   

Today I'm on J of the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge.