Opinion versus Judgement

[Pandara]

Had a question today and although we came to an understanding about it, I would like to post it here to hear different views as well, because I think it can be explored.

When is a statement you make an opinion and when is it a judgement?

Most yogis I know are very careful not to sound judgemental when they say something or when they are asked to comment on an issue.

So how do we know that we are just having an opinion then? Or, worst we may think we have an opinion, but can be viewed as a judgement by the other person.

Would appreciate any views and thoughts on this.

[Mirjana]

Hello Pandara,

it is a good question. I think it all depends on your emotional state. If something upset you or make you angry, that's judgment. And if you have a statement and stay calm and neutral inside than it is an opinion. You can take an action to improve something if your opinion is that it needs an improvement but with a calm attitude. So I would say judgment is an opinion with an emotion.

Friendly greetings

[InnerAthlete]

If I could articulate it better than my teacher, I would.
Since I cannot, a link.

Aadil Palkhivala on Strength of Mind

It addresses Judgement versus Discernement (rather than opinion) but I believe it will stimulate the process appropriately.

For me, judgement is when we take observation and make conclusion. This is "bad" that is "good". My yoga is "good". Your yoga is "bad". Those are judgements.

For us, as teachers, it has to be more than trying not to "sound" judgemental. The state of the word flows from the state of the thought. It is only when we can be in a place of non-judgement that it authentically radiates outward. Nothing wrong with a bit of control as we work on it but it must be looked at honestly and transformed from the inside out.

To me, it does not fluxuate relative to emotional states. I can be angry and not be judgemental. Likewise I can be calm and incredibly judgemental (which might be synonymous with pretention or the white shadow).

[justwannabe]

my opinion on this

opinions are given humbly with humility and from the heart
my opinion, the world may be on a perfect path

judgements are given with the egos sense of superiority
my judgement, the world needs to change paths, to the path I say is better


there is more to it, yes, but that is where I start to discern the two.

just thoughts
seeker

[lavina]

Originally Posted by tubeseeker

opinions are given humbly with humility and from the heart

judgements are given with the egos sense of superiority

seeker

thank you for these few words that clarify a lot for me

[justwannabe]

Originally Posted by lavina

thank you for these few words that clarify a lot for me

the ego will say I deserve this complement

the heart will say if you wish to thank me, please also thank the ones who have taught me this

lavina, you are very welcome my friend
enjoy your journey
seeker

[Hubert]

You are all wrong, in my opinion.

... sometimes we are judgemental, than we add "in my opinion", in order to not appear too harsh, to appear better.

[Covenant914]

Opinion is isolated: Chocolate ice cream (Hondas, jazz, Islam) is the best.
Judgement is interactive: Your choice of vanilla (spouse, religious avocation, car, etc) is wrong (inferior, etc).

[Hubert]

Opinion carries within the possibilty of being wrong, or a personal preference, or a stance of waiting for more input. Opinion carries a ceirtan lack of importance. Opinions accept other opinions, but judgments do not accept other judgements. A judgement has a finality, a choice has been made, and the responsability to act accordingly. Judgments are made when we are sure we are right. Sound judgement, discernment are the same. Without judgement noone could live. Opinions are a luxury, a mundane triviality.

I think, concerning ourselves, we must make all efforts to judge and to act accordingly. Concerning others we might have opinions, but let them be their own judge.

[Pandara]

Dear All,

Thank you to each and evryone who has taken the time to express her/his view/opinion/judgement here. I appreciate the time and the responses, they were indeed very good and has added tremendously to my own discussion on the topic.

With Love and Light.

[spiridoul]

Originally Posted by Pandara

Had a question today and although we came to an understanding about it, I would like to post it here to hear different views as well, because I think it can be explored.

When is a statement you make an opinion and when is it a judgement?

Most yogis I know are very careful not to sound judgemental when they say something or when they are asked to comment on an issue.

So how do we know that we are just having an opinion then? Or, worst we may think we have an opinion, but can be viewed as a judgement by the other person.

Would appreciate any views and thoughts on this.

Opinions are lies; judgements projections...
i like to hear opinions...and judgements...
my view becomes an opinion, and when i get to know you better, a judgement....does it really make a difference...? does it really matter when...

[Bentinho Massaro]

Originally Posted by Pandara

When is a statement you make an opinion and when is it a judgement?

Most yogis I know are very careful not to sound judgemental when they say something or when they are asked to comment on an issue.

So how do we know that we are just having an opinion then? Or, worst we may think we have an opinion, but can be viewed as a judgement by the other person.

Would appreciate any views and thoughts on this.

Wise Pandara,

I would prefer the word discrimination instead of opinion. Not discrimination in the sense of racism, but in the purest sense of the word:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discrimination originates from the Latin word: discrīmināre
Which means to distinguish between.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that each yogi, all of us, are searching for attaining the highest possible sense of discrimination. When we are capable of discriminating between consciousness and matter, or: between Purusha(or brahman) and Prakriti, we attain salvation through the highest form of vairagya (non-attachment) - Yoga Sutras.

An Opinion, is still a point of view from within the mind. It is something the mind believes or thinks about something. It is a position the mind takes on; a mental stand. Opinion and judgement are one and the same in my opinion .

So when we talk about the difference between opinion and judgement, I see none. When we talk about the difference between the ability of discrimination, or: intellect/buddhi and opinion/judgement, I see a clear distinction. I shall share my view below:

I can be brief by saying: opinion/judgement comes from the egoistic mind while discrimination comes from the higher mental body, the intellect; Buddhi. But more profoundly, I would like to state that discrimination comes from experiencing a hightened state of consciousness. The purer you are, that means; the more conscious you are, the clearer your perspective on things is. You start to see things as they are. Hereby you acquire the ability to distinguish true from false, or truth from maya; illusion. Where an opinion makes you distinguish between right and wrong, which is utterly pointless.

Discrimination and opinion may look alike in form, because they both distinguish between things, but if you picture a cross like this: + : Opinion is the horizontal differentiation and discrimination is the vertical discernment; the latter takes you to new depths.

Opinion is superficial: Changing your mental opinion on things only makes you 'grow' laterally. It makes you fool around on the same level you are already on; no real change or transformation takes place. While highering your state of consciousness and through that process enlightening your buddhi (intellect, the higher mental body) and increasing your insight in what is true and what not; makes you grow in depth, into new dimensions, penetrating reality.

So if nothing else, you may remember this about my view if you will:
Opinion/judgement = distinguishing between right and wrong
Discrimination = distinguishing between truth and illusion

The latter (discrimination) is most useful for teachers; they can address what they see clearly to their students and help them progress truly. Opinion will make you judge your students as being right or wrong in their statement, yogic practice or other actions, while discrimination makes you see what is going on behind the scenes in that particular student. It makes you not only see what their mental stand is, but more importantly; why it is their mental stand and from which dimension it comes from; what part of the students being is active in believing that mental opinion.

The higher your discrimination, the more capable you become of piercing through your students being; you can penetrate his very being with your sharp perception. This allows you for true understanding and helping the student. Not by reacting to the content of his words, because content = opinion, but by reacting to the systems that are active behind the scenes; behind the opinions. This causes immediate and true transformation, instead of a continuation of the games played by the ego.

But what the heck, this is all just my opinion, or.. may it be my ability to discriminate? Who knows.

Love,
B.