How do you define being non-judgemental?

New Zealand
May 21, 2008 4:52am CST
Had a discussion with a friend the other day about judgement/non-judgement. How we strive to be non-judgemental and really it's easier said then done. How do you define being non-judgemental and how do you practice this?
1 response
• Southend-On-Sea, England
21 May 08
Interesting subject. It is very difficult to be non-judgmental, but I personally feel there are some things we have to be judgmental on, like for instance if we see someone behaving really badly towards and hurting someone else. I try though on things which are harmless, to be as non-judgmental as I can - it isn't easy at first, but what I do is sit and question what someone else may be doing, and ask myself.... "is this really harmful or bad?". If I decide that it isn't, then I live and let live. Another thing which helps me is to remember the not so good things I've done myself, and think that who am I to judge the actions of another if I can't always do the right thing.
• New Zealand
21 May 08
Yes it is difficult to be non-judgemental aye and as you said sometimes we need to be, goes back to our survival instinct doesn't it. I have found that if I am in a situation where I would normally be judgemental to look at in a factual way, what are the facts about this situation...it takes the emotional response away (aahhh)and I can look at something more objective .
• Southend-On-Sea, England
21 May 08
Thanks for replying :-) Yes good answer. I suppose it's about getting a balance between logic and emotion. Have a good day! :-)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I totally agree that we have to be judgemental on certain topics. I think the spirit of being non-judgemental is basically to see that everyone can think differently and that what is true for you may not be true for someone else. But that does not stop us from stating our opinions, and even enforcing them if we think there is a strong moral issue at state. Check out this article on whether we should be non-judgemental: http://spiritualinquiry.com/articles/should-we-be-non-judgemental/