Beyond Judgment

by Nancy Miller

Reality can “turn on a dime.” Change can occur in the field of human events through shifts in conscious awareness en masse, and then, as like-minded groups coalesce around more reasonable ideas, a chain reaction of causality - multiple layers of synchronized activity - can promote new outcomes and better global relationships. Hopefully we are on the cusp of such a change now. Most of us are counting on it.

But, contrary to the idea that the spread of individual enlightenment is behind such sudden forward movements of civilization, I’m convinced that this massive shift of awareness is more like a colony of ants responding collectively to threat - and in no way is related to individual ego transcendence. It is more of a “We’re all in this together!” group awareness, which allows a sudden breaking through of rational innovation, rather than being a product of true enlightenment at the individual level. And, while we can support it with our intentions, it will not necessarily provide personal breakthroughs of transcendence.

I am not arguing that positive internal change has NOT occurred in multitudes of people or that our increasing connectedness has not allowed the present synergy to occur. But, the visionary ideas that surface after times of turmoil, because the masses are now feeling vulnerable and are therefore open to new leadership, has little to do with the daunting task of internal transformation of consciousness. Paradigm shifts simply occur based on a confluence of events in time, while the individual struggle with ego limitations appears to have little to do with the specific time in which we live. However, it has everything to do with the place.

It seems, in fact, that changing the whole world is more easily achieved than changing our mind about our place in it. For that, the image of a wizard wielding a magic wand is more apt, but the idea of a final judgment can also provide a powerful and maybe necessary symbol. Not as mere psychological metaphor, i.e. an end to judging others (projecting our fears and defects) or judging Self to be deficient, but rather as a literal state of existence in which one has finally moved beyond the judgment of others altogether.

I offer this “skipping to the end,” only as food for thought. As an opportunity to think past the tedious daily transcendence - of self-observation and witnessing the internal emotions and external effects of the ego, in order to consider for a moment or two, the personal goal of ascension to purpose. And also in the hope it may provide a proverbial “twig to hold on to” during this eventful time, as others naturally grab on to any steady hand, attempting to not be swept downstream in the tumultuous tide of change.

Consider then for a moment, what would this state of awareness and physical experience consist of - to permanently exist beyond the potential of being judged? It would be highly individual of course, but we have to face the fact that such a reality cannot enter our experience until we are certain to recognize it, if and when it appears. That is the odd nature of perception and cognition, so a little contemplation is always required.

And, our individual interests, passions and gifts —being so infinitely varied— also requires a very personal level of discernment that necessarily excludes others opinions. What we love is highly unique and abstract, and yet we live in a very real world that will appear limited from our ego’s perspective. So, while we can support each other on the journey back to being, when we are acquiring a sense of confidence in our abilities and natural gifts, each of us must make the final passage from this world to the next, entirely alone. It is our own personal cross (roads), and gathering the courage to “become all that we are capable of becoming” is a bit like “walking the plank” until that last step, when the universe supports us.

What is that way of life? Beyond the “Last Judgment ” —of disapproval or approval of others— that is our rightful place, through which we are finally able to make a real contribution. What is that abstract experience we long for? The “truth that will set us free.” And, what is the physical construct of reality —our Kingdom of Heaven— that will demonstrate/manifest our personal ascension to being?

Whatever that experience may be —that will allow us to finally surrender the ego fear of autonomy and old attachment to solace, once we have crossed the psychological threshold there is no turning back. We won’t even be tempted to turn back and risk being confined forever as that pillar of salt, because we are certain of who and what we are. We have moved psychologically beyond judgment and any need for a positive response from the world of others. And, now, we can literally “save the world” through simply being wholly authentic.

Reunion with the divine, through which reality conforms to being, eternally exists as a potential in every moment and in every dimension of our life experience. Epiphanies are possible at any time on the journey, and we can be certain that although we are physical bodies in a physical construct, that this reality is both malleable and yet could not have happened without a purpose. Crossing the final threshold beyond the judgment of others, we will experience this ultimate purpose through simply being all that we are. And nothing more.