Self-Judgment and Truth

"Truth has nothing to do with words. Truth can be likened to the bright moon in the sky. Words, in this case, can be likened to a finger. The finger can point to the moon's location. However, the finger is not the moon. To look at the moon, it is necessary to gaze beyond the finger, right?"

 - Zen parable

The Zen parable of truth, the finger pointing at the moon, informs us that although someone points to the moon to show us the truth of its luminosity, the finger pointing is not the moon itself.

The Face of Truth awakens us.

       The Eye of Truth feeds us.  
              The Heart of Truth builds us. 

As practitioners of yoga and mindfulness we rely on teachers to point us in the right direction to develop our potential. When we judge our performance in the studio, our self-critical evaluations get in the way of progress. If we set the judgment aside, stay in the moment regardless of posture, and don't compare with someone next to us, we begin to gain clarity in mind, body, and spirit. 

The body flows, yet the mind needs convincing,
to remain present and discover more about one's self.

We practice so that a greater awareness of self and existence can happen. The practice helps us connect more directly to our personal truth (the finger pointing) in any given moment and once we connect to that truth we begin to act in the spirit of our true nature (the moon).  

Words, teachers, and wisdom can only point. When we point and discuss the different pointers, we miss the experience.  

Discover what's true for you on the yoga mat, when practicing mindfulness, or while sitting on the meditation cushion. Consider what's true for you also when walking your life's path. 

Find truths in the moment. Are you peaceful? Are you present? Ask this question as many times as it takes. Feel brave enough to live it. Feel open enough to share it. 

At times the challenge to see the truth and to commit to living it can feel uncomfortable. The more we search within ourselves, the easier the discovery that living with absolute truth provides freedom and a less stressful life.  

Once we conquer our judgments, we can sharing our wisdom in the outside world.