What Does Non-Judgment Mean?

When we talk about mindfulness, we often encounter the idea of avoiding judgment as far as possible. Thoughts, feelings, and perceptions are meant to be observed without immediately classifying them as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. But this can quickly lead to a misunderstanding: suddenly, non-judgment itself becomes a task we want to accomplish. Perhaps you are sitting in meditation and notice, ‘I’m much more restless today than I was yesterday.’ The next thought follows shortly afterwards: ‘Now I’ve judged again. I’m doing it wrong.’ This creates a contradiction: we judge ourselves for having judged something. Yet mindfulness is about conscious awareness. It is perfectly okay to notice that yesterday went better, and to notice that you have made a judgment. It is about being open to what is. Through mindfulness, we can learn to perceive and accept our experiences more consciously.

Our minds judge constantly. At first, that is neither a mistake nor a sign of insufficient mindfulness. Judgments help us find our way through daily life and make decisions. We decide whether we enjoy a meal, which clothes feel right today, or whether we would rather spend a quiet evening or go out and do something. One sound may seem pleasant to us while another bothers us.

Mindfulness does not ask us to switch off this part of our thinking! What matters is noticing that a judgment is happening.

Sometimes, however, judgments lead us to lose contact with the present moment and close ourselves off from it. Mindfulness, which requires an open attitude towards what is happening, then becomes impossible.

In short: it is about bringing more awareness to this process, which in turn creates greater openness and acceptance.