If you have ever noticed a baby closely, you will be filled with awe and endearment with the curiosity the baby displays. Always observing, always learning and always growing. But somewhere down the road as the baby grows up, the baby is now conditioned to judge instead of being curious. 

We have all been down that road. That curiosity which was filled with a creative energy to explore and grow is suddenly replaced with the rigid energy of judgement and label.

When we saw the rainbow of diversity around us, we were conditioned to look at this burst of color with judgement of black or white or pale or brown or yellow. When we saw the richness of different cultures from food to clothing to beliefs, we were raised in ethnocentrism where we were taught to beam with pride about the superiority of our heritage over that of others.

On this path of Yoga where we speak of our journey towards oneness and unity, I’m forced to ask myself, why did I stop being curious? Curiosity has always brought me a sense of delight as a child. Something different meant something new was found. But the moment I invited judgement into the game, it now brought in fears. In yoga, we call them kleshas. Raga or attachment, dwesha or aversion and the powerful of them all, abhinivesha, fear of death. 

I guess in our judgements, we all operate from a place of attachments, resistance and fear. Resistance to change, attachment to our way of living and thinking, fear of not fitting in, fear of not being perfect, fear of not conforming to some norms, fear of being overpowered. 

However, in stillness and awareness when we hold that same moment with curious eyes, this new moment now brims with the fragrance of love. We begin to sense the oneness even in our diversity. The heart that beats in you, beats to the same rhythm in me too. 

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

And as I hold on to the teachings of Yoga and cultivate pratipaksha bhavanam: Maitri or friendliness with all, Karuna or compassion, Mudita or joy in the success of others and Upeksha or letting go  with those whose we do not agree, I begin to see the shift from judgement back again to loving curiosity,

Watching the squirrel outside my window leap with absolute surrender over another branch, enjoying his moment, I’m reminded of his curious and playful nature. As he briefly looks towards me, I can hear him say to me: 

BE CURIOUS NOT JUDGMENTAL.

I dedicate this post to all the victims of Hate Crime.