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All of us have our own blind spots. The problem is that we are blind to them. We should treat others’ blind spots as we want them to treat ours.
Absolutely. I see much power come with the humility that seems to follow an awareness of our personal limitations. As we first become aware of some of our own blind spots we may wish others (maybe even church leaders) could recognize some of theirs as well. It’s easy to point to an ideal of equal humility across the brotherhood of man, but as we mature in charity I think we can also come to terms with reality – and develop that next level of charity and humility needed to cultivate true peace. Because I’m blind to my blind spots, I can’t really start to accept that I have them unless others tell me. But it doesn’t feel good when others point them out to me, usually, and I usually don’t get thanked by others if I point them out to them. I guess it depends on the relationship with the person and if I can provide loving feedback to others, or if I don’t have enough of a relationship with them and it is better for me to keep my mouth shut and just realize I’ve got my own blindspots to worry about.
Charity is the key…I can’t help judging others, but charity can help me let it go before I verbalize it, or help me convey the feedback constructively with love.
Old-Timer wrote:All of us have our own blind spots. The problem is that we are blind to them.
We should treat others’ blind spots as we want them to treat ours.
Beautifully said, Ray!
When you think about it, we make judgments about others every few seconds of our lives. We have to! It is what life teaches us for survival. If I am walking down a street and a “shady” looking character (shady based on our experience…) has a gun in his hand and looks like he’s raging (also a “look” that we have learned to recognize), you bet your sweet biffy I’m going to make a judgment and avoid him…maybe quite quickly!
The teaching “judge not that you be not judged” seems to me a great metaphor for the fact that we all are less than perfect, and for us to judge another’s “problems” is really projecting our own weaknesses (issues) when we outwardly judge them. One thing I’ve learned in my life is that whenever a person is over-critical of another, it’s because they have that trait themselves (in various manifestations), and their “anger” is simply their way of expressing their disgust of that self-trait (usually subconsciously) on another so they don’t have to fess up to their own imperfections.
I think that’s what Ray said…in a few more words. Actually, I like the way Ray said it better….
I think the admonition to “not judge lest you be judged” refers to making judgments about someone’s state of salvation, or more specifically in making judgments that someone is not worthy of our love and compassion. We just don’t know all the circumstances. We only know that we must forgive in order to receive forgiveness. We must give mercy in order to receive mercy. This is a very broad and important concept of enlightenment. Obviously we have to make day-to-day practical judgments in our relationships with those we come in contact with.
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