Judgment means a frozen state of mind. The mind always strives to judge, because being in the process of development is dangerous and uncomfortable. Be very, very courageous and don't stop growing. Don't stop, live in the moment, just be in the flow of life.
This story happened during the time of Lao Tzu in China, and Lao loved it very much.
There lived an old man in the village, very poor, but even the kings were jealous of him because he had a beautiful white horse. The kings offered him an unprecedented price for the horse, but the old man always said:
- This horse is not a horse for me. He's a personality. How can I sell my personality, sell my friend?
The old man was poor, but did not sell his horse.
One day he discovered that the horse was not in the stall. The whole village gathered and the people said:
- You old fool! We knew that one day the horse would not be there. It would be better to sell it. What a misfortune!
- Don't go too far by saying that. Just say that the horse is not there,” the old man answered them. - This is a fact, the rest is judgment. Whatever it is, misfortune or blessing, I don’t know, because it is only a fragment. Who knows what will follow?
People laughed at the old man. They always knew he was a little crazy. But after 15 days, one night, the horse returned. He wasn't stolen, he just ran free. And that was not all. He brought with him a dozen horses. Again the people gathered and said:
- The old man is right. This is not misfortune. It is clear now that this was a blessing.
- You're going too far again. Just say that the horse is back. Who knows if this is a blessing or not? - the old man answered calmly. - This is just a fragment. You read one word in the expression. How can you judge an entire book?
This time people didn’t say much, but inside themselves they decided that he was wrong: twelve beautiful horses!
The old man had an only son who began to ride these horses. Just a week later, he fell off his horse and broke both legs. People gathered again and judged again:
- You proved your point again! This is a misfortune. Your only son lost his legs, and at your old age he is your only support. Now you are even poorer than you were.
-You are obsessed with judgment. Don't go that far. Just say that your son broke his legs. Nobody knows whether this is a misfortune or a blessing. Life comes in pieces, and we are not given more.
It so happened that a few weeks later the country entered the war, and all the young men joined the army. Only the old man's son remained, because he was crippled. The whole village was screaming and crying because it was a decisive battle and they knew that most of the young people would not return. They came to the old man and said:
“You were right, old man, it’s obvious now that it was a blessing.” Well, your son is crippled, but he is with you. Our sons are gone forever.
The old man said again:
- You continue to judge. Nobody knows this! Just say that your sons are fit for the army, but my son is not. Only God, the Absolute, knows whether it is a misfortune or a blessing.
As long as you judge, you do not grow, you do not develop. Judgment means a frozen state of mind. And the mind always requires judgment, because being in the process of development is always risky and uncomfortable. In reality, the journey never ends. One part ends, but another begins, one door closes, another opens. You reach the top, but another, higher one appears. Life is an endless journey!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru