The Power of Non-Judgmental Awareness

“If you continue to do what you have always done, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you continue to think what you have always thought, you will continue to think it is fate.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti (philosopher)

This quote highlights the notion that if we keep repeating the same actions and thought patterns, we will continue to experience the same results in our lives. It suggests that we often attribute these repeated outcomes to “fate” or external circumstances, rather than recognizing our own role in creating them through our habitual behaviors and ways of thinking.

It also encourages us to break free from our comfort zones, challenge our existing beliefs, and take new actions in order to create different results and experiences in our lives. It emphasizes the power we have to shape our own reality through our choices and mindset, rather than being passive recipients of fate.

So, let’s dive into the power of non-judgmental awareness that is crucial to our ability to break free from the habits and thoughts that perpetuate our belief in a destined fate.

As we desire to grow, evolve, and become a better, stronger and more vibrant version of ourselves, we naturally embark on the (re)Parenting journey. Cultivating awareness is essential for recognizing the areas where we need to change and grow.

If you are not aware of what is coming from within you, you will continue to see the problems of lack as outside of you and not being created from within, handcuffing you and making you a victim to a world you believe you cannot control.

So, what exactly is non-judgmental awareness? It’s the ability to observe our current beliefs, habits, programs, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions without attaching any judgment to them. It’s about seeing things as they are, not as we think they should be. Non-judgmental awareness allows us to step back and witness our inner world with a sense of detachment, as if we were an objective observer.

When we approach our inner world with judgment, we create resistance and shame, which can actually keep us stuck in the very patterns we’re trying to change.

Judgment breeds self-criticism, which often leads to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. These negative emotions can be paralyzing, preventing us from taking the necessary steps to grow and evolve.

But when we bring a sense of curiosity and compassion to our self-observation, we open the door to transformation. Curiosity allows us to explore our thoughts and emotions with a sense of openness and wonder, rather than condemnation. Compassion enables us to extend kindness and understanding to ourselves, even when we encounter aspects of ourselves that we may not like or understand.

Think of it like this – if you want to help a child learn and grow, would constantly criticizing and judging them be the best course of action? Of course not! You would want to approach them with patience, understanding, encouragement, and acceptance of their authentic self. You would create a safe space for them to explore, make mistakes, and discover their own unique path.

The same applies to our inner child – the part of us that’s still learning and evolving. Our inner child needs our love, support, and acceptance, not our judgment and criticism. By embracing our inner child with non-judgmental awareness, we create the optimal conditions for growth and transformation.

HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE NON-JUDGMENTAL AWARENESS?

Here are a few tips:

Practice mindfulness: Take time each day to simply observe your thoughts and emotions without trying to change them. Just notice what comes up with a sense of curiosity. You can do this through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a few mindful breaths throughout the day.
Question your judgments: When you catch yourself judging a thought or behavior, ask yourself, "Is this really true? Is this serving my growth?" Often, our judgments are based on past conditioning or limiting beliefs. By questioning them, we can start to loosen their grip and make space for new perspectives.
Embrace self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you'd extend to a loved one. When you notice self-critical thoughts, counter them with words of compassion and encouragement. Remember, you're doing the best you can with the tools you have, and that's all anyone can ask of you.

As we develop this non-judgmental awareness, we start to gain clarity on the beliefs and patterns that are no longer serving us.

We begin to see how our thoughts and emotions shape our reality, and how we have the power to choose differently. With this clarity, we can consciously choose to rewire these patterns, replacing them with empowering beliefs and behaviors that align with our highest self.

So, I invite you to start practicing non-judgmental observation this week. Notice your inner dialogue, your reactions, your habits. Approach it all with curiosity and compassion. And trust that this awareness is planting the seeds for profound transformation.

Here are a few journaling prompts to get you started:

What are some areas of my life where I tend to be the most self-critical? How can I bring more compassion to these areas?
What are some beliefs or patterns that I've become aware of that no longer serve me? What might be a more empowering belief or behavior to replace them with?
How can I make non-judgmental self-observation a daily practice? What time of day or activity could I pair it with to make it a habit?

Changing habits of behavior takes time and repetition. Use these affirmations below on a consistent basis to assist you in building the new neural pathways needed to make this type of awareness, second nature.

Three Affirmations to support you in this practice:

Remember, (re)Parenting is a journey, and awareness is the compass that guides us. Trust the process, and be gentle with yourself along the way. As you continue to observe yourself with non-judgmental awareness, you’ll start to uncover the deep wisdom and potential that’s always been within you. You’ll begin to see yourself through the eyes of love, and from that place, anything is possible.

Here’s to seeing ourselves through the eyes of love,