Judgment vs. Discernment
Judgment stems from the ego's need to define boundaries, to categorize and label in order to solidify its sense of separate existence. Judgment is the desire to maintain a particular self-image or worldview. When we judge, we are projecting a limited perspective onto reality. This act of separation and evaluation reinforces the illusion of duality, further obscuring the underlying unity.
Discernment, however, is not a product of the reactive, ego-driven mind, but rather a clear, impartial knowing that arises directly from the inherent intelligence of consciousness itself. It is an impersonal function, akin to the way our senses register information without adding emotional weight or subjective interpretation. Discernment sees the situation as it is, without the overlay of personal history or the need to establish superiority and separation. Just as our eyes can distinguish between a tree and a rock without judgment, discernment allows us to see the nature of a situation or action with a similar level of unbiased clarity. Discernment understands the nature of what is unfolding and responds appropriately.
As the illusion of separation is met with understanding, the need to judge and label from a limited, personal perspective gradually diminishes. What arises instead is a natural clarity, an impersonal knowing that transcends dualistic thinking.