Maria Gonzalez Blog
Mindful Leadership

What Does “Different” Look Like When We Are Awake?

As we start to make living in a state of Mindfulness a priority, we begin to notice how judgmental we are and have always been.  This can feel uncomfortable.  In fact, we find it hard to believe that we judge everything!  Nothing is left unscathed and we can have the tendency to see anything or anyone that is different and unique, as less worthy.  And of course, the more we judge ourselves for judging everything and everyone, the more frustrated we become, thinking we will never be able to just abide in the present moment and accept what is.

But that, of course, is not true.  The most effective strategy is to be gentle with ourselves, to show some compassion for ourselves and our efforts.  And, as we lessen the grip of judgment on ourselves, we see that we naturally judge others less.

Then it gets really interesting.  If we keep up with our efforts, we will soon notice that not only have our negative judgments about others lessened, but that we begin to see others as beautiful.  Everything and everyone begins to have a beautiful, clear quality.  There is a feeling of acceptance.  Acceptance is not necessarily agreement.  It is merely that state that says we can agree to disagree and still respect one another.

And, as we continue along this path, in time, we can awaken; and soon, we no longer see differences.  In fact, everyone and everything appears to have the “same” beautiful quality.  We begin to realize that we are all “One”.  We know that at the deepest level we are all the same, we are beautiful and special.  And at the same time, we see that we are all flawed, and it doesn’t matter.  We become accepting of what we and others are.  We may even have a sense that we know everyone we encounter.  There is a familiarity because at the deepest level, we recognize that we have all come from the same place and go back to the same place. (more about this in future Blogs…)

The Dalai Lama in this short video talks about how at the deepest level, under it all, we are all the same, no matter what race, colour, creed, position, etc.

http://www.lionsroar.com/watch-the-dalai-lama-break-down-the-illusion-behind-prejudice/?utm_source=Shambhala+Sun+Community&utm_campaign=6fe3fbb811-SF_Weekly_April_30_20154_29_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1988ee44b2-6fe3fbb811-20965397