Do Not Judge
— Tell me, Teacher, the Great Teachers said that one should not judge others? Is it really that important and why? — asked the student.
The Teacher did not answer the question, but instead gave the student a balloon, at the bottom of which lay a piece of dirt, and asked him to stand before him and inflate it. The student began to blow up the balloon.
— What do you see? — asked the Teacher.
— You and the balloon.
— Keep blowing, — the Teacher requested.
The student blew three times. The balloon became larger.
— What do you see now?
— I can hardly see you, I mainly see the balloon, the dirt is spreading along the walls, — replied the student.
— Inflate the balloon more.
After the balloon became even larger, the Teacher asked again:
— What do you see now?
— A dirty balloon and nothing else.
— Blow harder, — said the Teacher, stepping back further.
This time the student obeyed and continued to blow diligently. The balloon could stretch no more and... Bang! The balloon burst, splattering dirt everywhere. The student was left speechless, standing there, looking at himself, covered in dirt.
— This is what happens when you focus on the shortcomings, weaknesses, and sins of others. Due to judgment, you stop seeing the person and only see your condemning unkind thoughts and feelings, which can burst at any moment and dirty not only yourself but also those around you, if you do not stop "inflating" your impure notions of others, — said the Teacher and left the student alone with his thoughts.