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There have been many stories written about enlightenment and this is one that I love.  It is a “Zen” story.

The  Novitiate wanted to learn everything and asked the Master what he could do and the Master replied, “Chop wood and carry water.”   The Novitiate  had lessons every day, prayed and meditated, studied, read, and did his chores.  Months went by and the young man asked the Zen Master, “I have studied, prayed and mediated, and done my chores, now what more can you teach me, what more can I do?”  The Master replied, Chop wood and carry water.”

I have heard that story before and it has a powerful message.  When we search for enlightenment, we tend to think of some spiritual place where we experience nirvana or find some magical technique to live our lives and bypass the things we consider mundane.  In reality, it is those mundane things that bring us true joy when we do them through the energy of the heart, which is with love.

I have experienced this many times in my work with adults and children.  I once went on a weekend retreat with some 9th grade students and I was assigned to a cabin with 8 very tough inner city girls.  We were also scheduled to hold sessions during the days and evenings with the students for their emotional development, etc.

I had a significant break though with a powerful gang leader by waking up in the middle of the night with my flash light and escorting her to the bathroom.  Unlike the city, this very dark wooded area really frightened her.  After all of our training and plans etc., this one “mundane” action made the difference.  I chopped wood and carried water and both of our lives were altered.

This is the last part of our series called “Why Make Judgments”  We have been observing people to find adjectives that would describe what we saw and how we felt.

I found in observing people, that it was harder to have those instinctively warm and lovable feelings when seeing them.  It was also hard for me to attach adjectives to them, although I am certainly guilty of making judgments about people I know.

When the teachers were given the task to create a list of adjectives while observing pictures of teens just “hanging out”, here are some of the ones they stated:  Discipline, Adventurous, Muscular, Proud, Unique, Inappropriate, Disrespectful, Intriguing, Threatening, Mysterious, Youthful, Strong, Artificial, Cultural, Disturbing, Fun, Harmonious.

The adjectives that were applied to the human beings, rather than to items found in nature or to animals, had a significantly different quality.  We somehow see each other, as well as ourselves, through a very different lens.

What would our world look like if, when we were with each other, we had the same instinctive feelings that we have with plants and animals?   We could see each other and ourselves as unique and wonderful beings just the way we are.

It would be a wonderful experiment to simply watch our own viewing as we experience others.   Are we making judgments?   Are we making comparisons?  Let us consider looking at each other through the lens of our hearts.  We can then find that instinctual capacity to love.

Finding more of the beauty within each other and ourselves is an ongoing  process and a challenging one, but it is within this process that we will finally bring our world to the peaceful place that we all desire.

Why do we make judgments within our own human species?  Are we so different from the rest of nature?  This is the mystery left for us to solve.

This past week we were looking at animals and what adjectives they brought to our minds as well as how they made us feel.  I found myself looking at many different animals: dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, deer, etc.  The adjectives that came to my mind were:  Beautiful, Flowing, Majestic, Playful, Cute, Lively, Friendly, etc.

I again found that I couldn’t compare them, one to another.  They were simply unique and special just as they were.  Each one was lovable and fun to be around.  I had feelings of warmth as I watched them.  I must admit, however, I didn’t see any ferocious animals that were growling at me.

When the same  group of preschool teachers did this exercise, during a workshop, these were some of the adjectives that they stated:  Inquisitive, Fun, Active, Friendly, Lovable, Loyal, Relaxed, Trusting, Strong, Adorable, Obedient, Joyful, Intriguing, etc.

What did your list of adjectives look like?  Were you able to make comparisons when observing two animals at once?  Was one better looking than the other or did you also find it impossible to compare their different aspects.  Did they all seemed beautiful and express a certain energy that was unique to each one?

For the next week, let’s observe the people that we see.  During the workshop, I had the teachers look at pictures of teens in various scenes.   Take a few moments and observe people closely, especially the teenage population.   Think of any adjectives that could be used to describe them.  Some of us, if we wish, can make a list of these adjectives for future reflection as we go on to the next part.

I would love any comments that you would like to share as you are doing this exercise or any other comments on why we make judgments.