Have you ever found yourself trapped by the invisible chains of judgment, holding you back from understanding the world and its people? You’re not alone. In this article, I’d like to share how you can break those chains and set yourself and others free. We’ll delve into the intriguing dynamics of non-judgment, karma, and personal responsibility. By the end, you’ll realize how your responses to others shape your reality and even your destiny.
Years ago, when I was studying acting in Los Angeles, my acting coach would always tell us not to judge the characters we played if we wanted to be good actors. She’d say, “The moment you judge your character, you lose your identity and connection with them.” And you know what? The same goes for the people, events, and situations in our lives.
Every time you judge someone because they’re not acting how you want them to, you’re creating this separation between you and them. It’s like you’re locking them up in an imaginary jail inside your mind. But guess what? You’re locking yourself in with them too!
The Apple and the Worm
Picture this: you buy a juicy red apple from your favorite grocery store. You’re all excited for that sweet deliciousness, but then you take a bite and find a little worm crawling inside. What’s your initial reaction? How do you feel? If you judge that worm as harmful or bad, you’re missing the bigger picture – that worm is just doing what worms do, eating the apple.
Same goes for people. They do what they do because, well, that’s just who they are or how they’ve learned to deal with life. Like that little worm, they’re trying their best to survive, be happy, and avoid conflict or pain.
How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.
“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”
Wayne W. Dyer
We live in a coherent and connected universe where everything is intertwined. Every action we take, thought we have, or emotion we feel has a ripple effect. It all matters, and we are all affected. Nothing goes unnoticed. Each action sets a process in motion, leading to accountability.
Whatever others have done to you, be it fueled by fear, anger, pride, guilt, shame, or ignorance, will come back to them. It’s their karma. It’s often called Divine Justice, but remember, it’s not your responsibility. Your responsibility is how you respond to others’ actions. Your response shapes how life responds to you.
Letting Go of Your Judgments
The moment you let go of judging others and drop your expectations, thoughts, and opinions about them, you set them free from the imaginary jail in your mind. And guess what? You set yourself free too!
Now, you can consciously choose to respond from your heart or tap into that more loving, compassionate, or kinder side of yourself. This is where personal karmic responsibility comes into play, a must-have emotional self-mastery skill.
Liberating Yourself From Negative Kama
When someone’s actions or lack thereof stir up emotional discomfort or pain within you, take a deep breath and let yourself feel those emotions completely. Sit with it until it naturally fades away, and you find yourself feeling neutral about the whole situation. This neutral space opens up the opportunity for a perspective shift.
Now, consider this person or situation as a valuable gift from life. There’s a profound lesson to be learned or some inner healing waiting for you. From a place of appreciation and neutrality, ask yourself…
- What would I like to create instead, given what just happened?
- How can I respond in a loving, compassionate, or assertive way?
- What can I learn about myself from this person or situation? What healing are they facilitating in me?
- In what ways am I being called to grow, change, or embrace something different?
- What positive karma do I want to generate instead?
The answers you uncover will liberate you from negative karma and set the other person free.
Final Thoughts
We all pay a karmic price for our actions or receive a karmic reward. That’s just how it goes, no exceptions. In this universe of “what goes around comes around,” remember that how others treat you is their karma and how you react is yours.
Now, let me ask you something…
Is there someone you’ve been keeping locked up in the prison of your mind?
If so, how about offering them your heart and setting them free? Not just for their sake, but so that you, too, can be free.
From my heart to yours,
