How to Free Yourself from Ego’s Control
Judgment vs. Discernment
The Subtle Difference We Often Miss
Many of us go through life using the words judgment and discernment interchangeably.
But in reality, these two states of mind come from very different places.
Judgment is rooted in ego and the past.
Discernment is rooted in presence and awareness.
Recognizing this difference can transform the way you see yourself, others, and your experiences.
Judgment: When Ego Controls the Mind
Judgment arises when ego takes control of the mind.
It filters everything through what is already known, drawing from past experiences, fears, and conditioning.
It labels, categorizes, and reacts, often reinforcing patterns of resentment, comparison, and limitation.
It thrives on attachment to identity, roles, and past wounds.
Judgment is not about truth. It is about control.
The ego-driven mind does not seek clarity. It seeks confirmation of what it already believes.
This is why people get stuck in cycles of resentment, disillusionment, and pain; judgment clings to old narratives instead of allowing new understanding.
The Role of Unhealed Trauma
When past wounds remain unobserved, they shape how you see the world.
If someone betrayed your trust, judgment might say:
“People are not trustworthy.”
“I must always protect myself.”
This belief is based on the past, not the present.
Discernment would allow you to see things as they are now, rather than through the lens of past pain.
Discernment: The Power of Presence
Discernment happens when you step into the observer state. This is the higher self that is free from attachment.
The observer does not react emotionally. It perceives.
The observer does not grasp at the past. It remains open.
✔ Discernment creates space for truth.
✔ Where judgment is rigid, discernment is fluid.
✔ Where judgment creates walls, discernment builds understanding.
Discernment is a practice, not an automatic response. It requires presence, the ability to witness a situation without immediately reacting from past wounds or the ego’s need to control.
Why Presence Matters
Presence is the only way to step out of judgment and into discernment.
✔ When you are truly present, ego has no power.
✔ When you are present, you observe instead of react.
✔ The more present you are, the more you begin to see clearly, and from clarity comes compassion.
Ego Distorts, The Observer Sees
This is why healing happens through presence and awareness.
The longer trauma goes unobserved, the more the ego takes control.
But as soon as you step into presence, awareness, and discernment, you reclaim your true nature… the observer.
This is why mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are not just "practices."They are tools to return to the observer within.
The ego reacts to fear.
The observer sees truth.
The mind is not the enemy… ego is.
The moment judgment arises, ask yourself: Who is speaking? Ego or the observer?
Resentment, Judgment, and the Illusion of Control
One of the clearest signs of ego’s control is resentment.
If you understood what resentment really was, you would never hold onto it.
Resentment is the ego refusing to let go of the past.
It creates an illusion of control, "If I stay angry, I stay protected."
But in reality, resentment binds you to suffering.
True freedom comes from discernment.
When you see resentment for what it is, you can finally release it.
And when you release it, you step into freedom.
Shifting From Judgment to Discernment
This shift requires daily practice:
Pause Before Reacting – Ask, "Am I seeing this clearly or through the lens of the past?"
Observe Your Inner Voice – Is it labeling, blaming, or assuming? That’s judgment.
Step Into Presence – Breathe. Center yourself. See what is, not what was.
Ask Yourself: What Is True Right Now? – Discernment only happens in the now.
Practice Compassion – The more you discern, the more you recognize everyone is carrying their own wounds.
When you shift from judgment to discernment, you step out of old patterns and into clarity, freedom, and compassion.
And that is the path to fulfillment.
Final Reflection
Are you living from ego and judgment, or are you stepping into presence and discernment?
Each moment gives you a choice.
One keeps you stuck.
The other sets you free.
Which will you choose?
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