Sanskrit word that means "non-injury in thought, word and deed."
A few days ago I walked into a store that no "good" Mormon would go into. I made a purchase that no "good" Mormon would on a day that (you got it) no "good" Mormon would shop. I was dressed up in my "Molly" clothes and, yes, that was definitely me. I refuse to made excuses or explain myself because, quite frankly, it's nobody's business what I was up to.
There were three people in the establishment. The young woman behind the counter, a man that I assumed to be a chain smoking alcoholic meth addict and a middle aged woman with a birth defect that left her with one badly deformed short stub of a left arm. All three were having friendly conversation and seemingly enjoying each other's company. Quite an unlikely group, in my opinion.
I told the clerk what I was after and she quickly went to retrieve said item. The man looked at me and said, "well, you are definitely a woman sent on a mission." I looked at him questioningly and probably asked him what the heck he meant. He then said that I didn't look like the type that would require the item that I was requesting. He was right.
He then informed me that he had been clean and sober for over 30 years. (There went my initial "judgment"). I was impressed and told him so with a hearty congratulations. The other two were smiling and nodding their approval at my seeming "acceptance" of them.
I write this story more for myself than for others. I want to remember this when I feel like I am the victim of judgment. I want to remember this when I look down my snooty nose at someone else and judge unfairly. Judgment is injury - whether it is in thought, word or deed.
I have spent a lot of energy lately feeling a lot of sorry for myself because of the way certain people have judged me and my family. I feel ostracized and it hurts. This day was a good lesson for me. I was dishing out exactly what I was receiving ... hurtful judgment.
Ahimsa. Non violence to all beings.
