How do I deal with constant self-judgment during mindfulness meditation?

[Aaron.J]

I signed up for a mindfulness based stress reduction course through my local community center. The guided meditations are helpful, but I'm struggling with the 'non-judgmental awareness' part. My mind is constantly judging everything, including itself for judging! Is this just part of the process?

[EthanM]

You're not alone here. That tug to judge thoughts is normal, especially when you’re new to mindfulness. non-judgmental awareness is not about erasing thoughts; it's noticing them and then gently returning attention to the breath or whatever you’re focusing on. It’s a skill you get with time, not a light switch.

[MarkRJ]

It does feel like a paradox at first. The more you try not to judge, the more you notice that judgment itself is just another thought. Treat all of it as data and don’t expect a clean mental state right away.

[Nathan_J]

Quick practice you can try. Sit for a minute, breathe, and label what you notice thinking judging feeling. Then let it go and return to the breath. This is a practical example of non-judgmental awareness in action.

[Ella.H]

I found that the moment you stop fighting the judgment and acknowledge it, the grip loosens a bit. It helps to set a simple intention like be curious rather than be perfect.

[Scott_H]

Some days you’ll feel more resistant, that’s normal. The goal isn’t to ban thoughts but to reduce reactivity so you can choose how to respond.

[EllaCM]

Which part of the practice has felt the most slippery for you the judging or staying with the focus?