Let it be.

One time on retreat in India and young man came to me and said, "Whenever I close my eyes to meditate, I hear Beatles songs in my head, what shall I do?"

My reply was simple and immediate, "Let it be."

The song is not the problem, it's singing along that brings the difficulties.

In our Vipassana training, awareness means to see the movements of mind without commenting upon them or judging what is observed. The moment we interact with what the mind presents we spin the kammic wheel one more time and so are never completely free.

This is how life is for most people, to believe what the mind tells them and so immediately act upon it, whether physically in the material world or emotionally in the world of mental fantasies.

Judgement of others is natural in beings and has its roots in fear.

However it makes no sense for the teacher to simply say, 'stop judging others,' as judgement is a habitual movement of mind cultivated over many, many years in many situations and comfortably supported by the society we are part of. Better to say, 'be peaceful with what the mind presents, make the space for this old story to show itself but don't act on it. Don't empower it with either indulgence or repression but simply let it be.'

In this way the habit will naturally become weaker and you will allow the habit of judging yourself and others to quietly dissolve.

However, you will observe. You will see now with eyes no longer distorted by prejudice.

This is important to understand. You will observe the way of the world, and the behaviour of beings living in the world. You will not be blind to cruelty or unkindness, or the lack of honesty or integrity in fellow beings, you will just not judge it from your own position of fear. Do you understand?

You will live from love and an open heart and not be deluded by what you meet from the world, whether internally or externally. You will respond to life as you meet it with kindness and a smile and not give away your energy to an old habit that brings no benefit.

Judgement brings no peace in life and because beings will always meet the consequence of the mind states they empower there is never a need for anyone to impose their own personal views, opinions and judgements on the unfolding universe we are a part of.

Therefore the Dhamma teaching is always the same; take care of yourself and live with love and be aware.

 

May all beings be happy.