Reflection Prompts: Working with Judgmental Thoughts

Answer all or one of the prompts below. See where your mind and heart will take you if you let yourself write without a filter. Try to keep your hands moving the whole time. It doesn't matter if you miss spell words or create a sentence that doesn't make sense. Give yourself permission to find your breath, find freedom and awakening in your reflection.

1. What type of judgmental thoughts do I most commonly have? Do I tend to judge self, others or circumstances more? What patterns do you notice are present?

2. When judgmental thoughts are present, what do they feel like in the mind and body?

3. What’s the impact of having judgmental thoughts? How do they affect your relationships? (even to self).

4. In what ways has the inner judge supported me?

5. What would it be like if I didn’t engage with as many judgmental thoughts? What other types of thoughts could I choose? (Get as detailed as you can here).

6. Can you bring to mind a past experience where the judgmental mind was present? How would you like to respond differently in the future? Why is that type of response important to you?

Reflection Prompts: Joy

Explore one or all of these journal prompts. Allow your journaling practice to be judgment free. Let go of any ideas of how this practice “should” look and give yourself permission to free write. Keep you pen to paper moving and let your inner wisdom come through. If it feels helpful, set a timer for 15 minutes and notice how much you can process, explore and learn in that short of time.

1. When was the last time I felt joyful? Describe in as much detail as you can.

2. What does joy typically feel like in my body?

3. If I created a “joy list”—taking note of people, places, experiences, food, sensations, moments that bring me joy, what would be on it?

4. What helps me tap into the emotions, feelings and sensations of joy?