Life of a Poet Series – RUMI

Lesson 1 – LET GO OF JUDGMENT

BOOM, lets get right to the heart of all that hinders us.

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, judgement is described as “a process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning or comparing; a formal utterance, a divine sentence or a proposition stating something believed or asserted”. I underlined discerning because I believe this is a skill one develops over time through our experiences, for our protection, and should be used as such. What RUMI is talking about is judging and deciding what you think others do or should do needs to stop. You don’t need others approval on how to live your life nor should you care about theirs. What others think of you is NOT your concern.

Rumi states: “Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there; when the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about”.

As an independent, free thinker growing up in a society that demands conformity, this is a hard lesson for me. As I began to be labelled as a rebel, feminist or dare I say conspiracy theorist, I saw a void of separation begin to develop within my family, friends and acquaintances. I however did not bow down and confine myself through others eyes. I began the process of “Shadow work” and looked for ways to still love and care for others while maintaining my own truth & authenticity. Letting go of judgement means finding those fields of green where we can meet others, as we each journey through this life. As we teeter on the future we all want to create, Rumi’s work, created 700 years ago is still relevant today. Now more than any time in history we need to create those precious spaces of compassion, love, tolerance and charity within each of our lives. Letting go of judgement requires us to do some shadow work, which means looking within and asking ourselves, “What is it within me that hinders me from letting go of judgement? and then releasing old discriminations, past negative experiences, feelings of lack of control, self esteem issues or imbedded systemic class beliefs. Whatever you find is yours to release. Then ask yourself, “Can I meet others in a grassy knoll and lie down my barriers to begin the process of opening our hearts to receive more love, joy and peace?

It’s time to shine your light

Namaste Tribe, Jacqueline