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# It’s a Significant Element of Our Humanity
Judgment is intricately embedded in human behavior. At its core, it serves as a cognitive instrument utilized for survival, making choices, and maneuvering through complicated situations. Lacking judgment, we would find it challenging to evaluate risks, safeguard ourselves emotionally and physically, and differentiate between beneficial and detrimental experiences. Nonetheless, it’s vital to recognize that judgment can be either objective or subjective, and how we interact with these processes significantly influences our relationships with ourselves and others.
## The Distinction Between Objective and Subjective Judgment
**Objective judgments** are anchored in facts, logic, and impartial evidence. For instance, deducing that a surface is hot after checking its temperature exemplifies an objective judgment. Such judgments are crucial for safety, equity, and rational behavior.
Conversely, **subjective judgments** are swayed by individual feelings, preferences, beliefs, and experiences. They often stem from emotional responses rather than intentional contemplation, resulting in biases, misconceptions, and even fragmentation. Assessing someone’s actions as “wrong” simply because they don’t correspond with our preferences represents a subjective judgment.
While judgment itself is neutral — neither good nor bad — issues arise when we become attached to our judgments, allowing them to shape our identity and our views of others.
## The Practice of Non-Judgment and the Significance of Discernment
Engaging in *non-judgment* does not entail eliminating the inherent inclination to judge. Instead, it means acknowledging judgments as they surface, challenging them, and letting go of those founded on emotional impulses rather than logical evaluation.
In this context, *mindfulness* is crucial. Mindfulness encourages us to pause, observe our thoughts without rushing to react, and nurture discernment — the capacity to thoughtfully, rationally, and empathetically assess situations.
**Discernment** develops through thorough evaluation: allocating time to analyze evidence, reflect deeply, and avoid hasty conclusions. In contrast, **subjective judgments** are often quick, emotional, and reactionary.
### Tips for Fostering Discernment
– **Pause before responding:** Allow yourself a moment to differentiate the emotion from the circumstance.
– **Challenge your thoughts:** Inquire, “Is this rooted in facts or feelings?”
– **Explore your judgments:** Assess whether your judgments are fostering connection and safety or inciting division and apprehension.
## A Simple Personal Exercise
You may find it beneficial to compile a list of your common judgments. Which are **objective** (evidence-based)? Which are **subjective** (emotionally-driven)? Contemplate the subjective ones:
– How significantly do they influence your identity?
– Are they safeguarding your well-being or erecting unnecessary barriers?
– Can you gently let them go?
Frequently, the judgments we hold onto most tightly reflect our deepest fears and vulnerabilities. As you scrutinize your judgments, pose the question: **If this judgment served as a mirror, what would it disclose about me?**
## Concluding Thoughts
The goal isn’t to eliminate judgment entirely. Rather, it’s about recognizing our judgments clearly — differentiating between constructive discernment and fear-based impulses — and releasing those that no longer benefit us.
Ultimately, the manner in which we judge the world indeed shapes our experience of it.
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