In this Issue
Equality and Judgment
In June I tend to think about the upcoming festivities of Gay Pride in West Hollywood and the assorted issues that are inevitably going to be raised. Of course the obvious equality of citizens who have "made the choice," according to some, of loving those with the same 23rd chromosome. There is now the issue of Equality in Marriage which I think should be such a no-brainer, civil-contract versus religious institution, but that is a discussion for a later time.
The thing that I try to keep reviewing in my mind is that famous line from the Gospels to "Judge not." It is with our judgments that one idea is "good" and the other is "bad" we create the source of the inequalities that people feel victimized by.
I have always told people who claim their religious writings justify or require such judgments that when humanity becomes the embodiment of Love completely, then and only then might God consider giving us the option to make such judgments.
I will make a deal with you, I will let you live your life the way you wish to with as expansive or restrictive view of the world around us as you wish. However, you must do the same for me, no matter how much you disagree with my perspective. This is the first step in loving your fellow man (I just could not pass up that double entendre).
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A Thought for Your Practice
We have many reasons and justifications we use to validate our belief that we have the authority to pass judgments. Sadly, the real purpose for this is to make us look or feel better about ourselves in one way or another.
From the perspective that all is perfect for its time and place, one cannot help but see judgments as a direct contradiction to this view. To judge anything as good or bad is to deny the perfection of all creation and those that inhabit it. Without judgment you just accept as "is" not concerning yourself with its validity.
So here is a little homework assignment:
This is a very simple exercise that if you are honest with yourself will give you both insight into your inner workings, but also areas that you may want or need to address. It is very simple in itself with the actual hard part being your willingness, or lack thereof, to look at yourself.
Take a look at your day today and choose something that you passed judgment on, good or bad.
Look at it very closely.We get value from our judgments, that is why we do it, in someway we always get something from them.
- What were you judging?
- Why did you make the judgment?
- What value did you get out of it?
Start looking at the What and Whys behind your judgments and see where this takes you and what you start to learn about yourself.
Try it...
Why Judgment Fails
In the Christian New Testament, we are told that Jesus taught his students, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV).
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali we are told a way of practicing this non-judgmental attitude, "By being friendly with the happy, by having compassion for the unhappy, joy in the virtuous and disregarding the wicked, we may retain the calmness of mind and spirit" (1:33 RAB/Sg).
The problem with passing judgment on things and actions is that you cannot possibly know all the facts and details in what is happening. Unless one is sociopathic we all do what we think is right. The problem is who's right is right?
When I go to Gay Pride there is always a group of people protesting with their signs about homosexuals going to Hell, they believe they are doing the right thing, trying to save my soul. When someone sleeps around, many would judge him or her a slut, but it may take this to learn that sexual conquest is only temporary and will not give them a continuous state of happiness.
It is like the old expression about not truly knowing another until you have walked a mile in their shoes. The point is that from our limited perspectives and complete lack of information we just cannot truly pass judgment on things. Spirit learns at its own pace and over many lifetimes.
When you see another going through a difficult learning experience, be there for them if they want it. Make yourself available to those learning lessons that you have already mastered and be willing to accept guidance from those who have learned more than you have.
Enjoy!
Quotations
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa of CalcuttaWe can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.
Paulo CoelhoYou can't depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus
Mark TwainWe judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowWhen we judge another we say they are not perfect, but how could a perfect being create anything less?"
Spiritgeek
Calendar & Announcements
| "10 Secrets to the Secret"™ Discussions | Every Monday |
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The ongoing series of discussions on Robert/Spiritgeek's upcoming book, "10 Secrets to the Secret"™ due out this summer. Learn the 10 insights that have made the Law of Attraction come alive for so many and helped many more discover where they were unintentionally sabotaging themselves. From 3:00PM till about 5:00 at The Spot, 4455 Overland Ave, Culver City, in the back room. Come enjoy good coffee, excellent food and be part of the completion of the book. | |
| "Frantic Friday" Radio Show | Every Friday |
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Reputation Label's "Frantic Friday" show with Johnny, Kris, the gang and Monkey on the internet live from 1:00PM-3:00PM PDT (4:00-6:00 EDT) from London. Music, conversation, some general mayhem and just a bit of Life Coaching from yours truly. Join us in the chat room during the show for another dimension of interactive radio. | |
| Club Inspire U at Club Cobra | Jul 10, 2010 |
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Date to be confirmed Spiritgeek.com has partnered with Inspire U Records in presenting Club Inspire U at Club Cobra in North Hollywood. From Kris Searle begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, the creator of Club Inspire U: I wanted to create a place where people feel like it's a 'home from home' where you refresh and vitalize and you leave inspired. A place you can come and not be judged. You are accepted for who you are and for what you do. They aren't enough places like this so this is going to be a place where ideas will thrive and natural talent rules. Whatever it is. | |
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