Judgment is an automatic practice for nearly every person on the planet: from the clothes we wear to the foods we eat to our surrounding environment and the people we associate with. As a practicing attorney in New York City, judgements were as natural to the legal practice, as is water to a sea full of fish. Without either, neither could survive. However, in the years after I left the practice of law, I began to engage in the practice of Mindfulness, which relinquishes judgment of each moment and its occurrences as they arise. Say what?!

Mindfulness, a Buddhist-based practice, is a practice in which we are aware of each moment, thought, or emotion as it arises without injecting one’s preferences about what arises. It’s a beautiful practice because you can engage in mindfulness anywhere, and at any time. When you start to become more conscious of the inner workings of your mind, without judging it, you may notice a shift towards compassion, understanding and/or love for yourself, and thereby, for others.

What happens when you let go of your likes and dislikes? The attachment or resistance which accompanies judgments dissipates. We can allow ourselves and others to have the fullness of life experiences and feel good about it. Non-judgment allows each of us to accept where we are and not beat ourselves up for being where we are.

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