What Happens When You Stop Judging Yourself? The Gita’s Path to Healing the Heart and Mind
Nidhi | Apr 14, 2025, 15:13 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In "What Happens When You Stop Judging Yourself? The Gita’s Path to Healing the Heart and Mind", the article explores how the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings can help overcome self-judgment and promote self-acceptance. By applying its wisdom, readers can heal emotionally, embrace self-compassion, and cultivate inner peace. This guide offers practical steps for transforming self-doubt into confidence and finding balance in a hectic world.
श्रीभगवानुवाच —
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 5
“Let a man raise himself by his own self; let him not debase himself. For he himself is his friend, and he himself is his enemy.”
Before we ever face the world, we face ourselves. And often, that battle is the harshest. Every self-critical thought, every internalised flaw, every echo of “I’m not enough” is a dagger we wield against our own becoming. But what if we laid down that weapon? What if, instead of judging ourselves, we chose to understand and accept?
The Bhagavad Gita, far from being a distant philosophical text, speaks directly to this modern struggle. Though composed thousands of years ago, its verses gently nudge us toward an inner revolution: the courage to accept ourselves without condition. This isn't about arrogance or indulgence—it’s about truth, awareness, and love.
So, what truly happens when you stop judging yourself? Let’s walk the Gita’s path to find out.
“आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुः आत्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।”
(You are your own friend, you are your own enemy.)
In Chapter 6, Krishna doesn’t point to external enemies. Instead, he reveals that the real battle is within—the mind that judges, condemns, and shames. When you stop judging yourself, you shift your identity from self-oppressor to self-companion.
Self-judgment often comes from a belief that criticism equals growth. But the Gita teaches that growth arises from awareness, not harshness. Imagine tending a plant: Would it grow if you kept yelling at it? Or would it flourish under sunlight, patience, and care?
“समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम्।”
(Seeing the Self in all beings, and all beings in the Self.) – BG 6.29
Judgment is rooted in attachment and identity—“I should be this,” “I’m failing at that.” But the Gita invites us to see ourselves with equanimity, to become a sakshi (witness).
When you stop labeling your emotions as good or bad, or yourself as success or failure, you access a deeper consciousness. You're not the storm, you're the sky watching it. This inner witnessing dissolves judgment and brings clarity.
Krishna urges Arjuna not to act from ego or despair, but from detached awareness. Similarly, we’re called to observe our inner patterns, not punish ourselves for them.
In today’s world, we are constantly measured—by grades, salaries, followers, likes. We internalize these metrics, and our inner judge becomes louder. But the Gita offers a radical alternative:
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।”
(You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits thereof.) – BG 2.47
When you stop judging yourself, you begin to understand that your worth isn't tied to outcomes. You do your work sincerely, but your peace is not bargained with success or failure.
This mindset isn’t about detachment from goals, but freedom from mental bondage. It is the art of acting with intention, but not self-punishing when the results don’t match your ego’s expectations.
“विद्या विनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि… पण्डिता: समदर्शिन:”
(The wise see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant… BG 5.18)
This samadarsana (equal vision) isn’t just about how we see others—it’s how we learn to see ourselves. A wise person doesn’t look at their own imperfections with disdain and their strengths with pride. Instead, they embrace the full spectrum of who they are with compassion.
When you stop judging yourself, your inner dialogue transforms. It becomes softer, kinder, more forgiving. You start speaking to yourself like you would to a friend—not with flattery, but with empathy.
Self-compassion isn’t weakness. According to the Gita, it is clarity of vision—seeing the Self beyond the roles, mistakes, and conditions.
Perfectionism is modern-day self-torture. We delay self-love until we reach a certain weight, get that job, or “fix” our flaws. But the Gita reminds us that peace is not a reward at the end of a perfect life—it is found in balance, in stilling the mind.
“यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥”
(Like a tortoise withdrawing its limbs, the wise withdraw the senses and attain steadiness – BG 2.58)
This withdrawal isn’t escapism—it’s about disengaging from the chaotic voices, including the one inside that constantly critiques. You find peace not by doing more, fixing more, or becoming someone else—but by returning to the Self that was never broken.
Self-judgment often pulls us into drama—overthinking, spiraling, doubting. But the Gita emphasizes dharma, a path of righteous, authentic living.
By letting go of judgment, you begin to act from your inner dharma, not social conditioning or fear. You stop performing and start expressing. Your actions become aligned with purpose, not punishment.
Krishna never told Arjuna to become perfect. He told him to act from his truth. And that’s the same message to us: Acceptance is the foundation of authentic action.
“आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।”
(You are your own friend, you are your own enemy.) – Bhagavad Gita 6.5
When you stop judging yourself, you step into your own power. You stop seeking validation and start embracing the love and compassion that already reside within you. In this space of self-acceptance, you align with your truest self, and from that place, you can live with purpose, joy, and authenticity.
The Gita reminds us that you don’t have to earn self-love—it’s always been there, waiting for you to recognize it. By letting go of judgment, you open yourself to the fullness of your being, and in doing so, discover the most profound love of all: the love you give to yourself.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 5
“Let a man raise himself by his own self; let him not debase himself. For he himself is his friend, and he himself is his enemy.”
Before we ever face the world, we face ourselves. And often, that battle is the harshest. Every self-critical thought, every internalised flaw, every echo of “I’m not enough” is a dagger we wield against our own becoming. But what if we laid down that weapon? What if, instead of judging ourselves, we chose to understand and accept?
The Bhagavad Gita, far from being a distant philosophical text, speaks directly to this modern struggle. Though composed thousands of years ago, its verses gently nudge us toward an inner revolution: the courage to accept ourselves without condition. This isn't about arrogance or indulgence—it’s about truth, awareness, and love.
So, what truly happens when you stop judging yourself? Let’s walk the Gita’s path to find out.
1. You Become Your Own Ally, Not Your Enemy
Self awareness
( Image credit : Pexels )
“आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुः आत्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।”
(You are your own friend, you are your own enemy.)
In Chapter 6, Krishna doesn’t point to external enemies. Instead, he reveals that the real battle is within—the mind that judges, condemns, and shames. When you stop judging yourself, you shift your identity from self-oppressor to self-companion.
Self-judgment often comes from a belief that criticism equals growth. But the Gita teaches that growth arises from awareness, not harshness. Imagine tending a plant: Would it grow if you kept yelling at it? Or would it flourish under sunlight, patience, and care?
2. You Step Into the Power of Witnessing
Peaceful Life
( Image credit : Pexels )
“समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम्।”
(Seeing the Self in all beings, and all beings in the Self.) – BG 6.29
Judgment is rooted in attachment and identity—“I should be this,” “I’m failing at that.” But the Gita invites us to see ourselves with equanimity, to become a sakshi (witness).
When you stop labeling your emotions as good or bad, or yourself as success or failure, you access a deeper consciousness. You're not the storm, you're the sky watching it. This inner witnessing dissolves judgment and brings clarity.
Krishna urges Arjuna not to act from ego or despair, but from detached awareness. Similarly, we’re called to observe our inner patterns, not punish ourselves for them.
3. Your Self-Worth Stops Depending on Performance
Don't be Dependent
( Image credit : Pexels )
In today’s world, we are constantly measured—by grades, salaries, followers, likes. We internalize these metrics, and our inner judge becomes louder. But the Gita offers a radical alternative:
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।”
(You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits thereof.) – BG 2.47
When you stop judging yourself, you begin to understand that your worth isn't tied to outcomes. You do your work sincerely, but your peace is not bargained with success or failure.
This mindset isn’t about detachment from goals, but freedom from mental bondage. It is the art of acting with intention, but not self-punishing when the results don’t match your ego’s expectations.
4. Compassion Becomes Your Inner Language
Journey
( Image credit : Pexels )
“विद्या विनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि… पण्डिता: समदर्शिन:”
(The wise see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant… BG 5.18)
This samadarsana (equal vision) isn’t just about how we see others—it’s how we learn to see ourselves. A wise person doesn’t look at their own imperfections with disdain and their strengths with pride. Instead, they embrace the full spectrum of who they are with compassion.
When you stop judging yourself, your inner dialogue transforms. It becomes softer, kinder, more forgiving. You start speaking to yourself like you would to a friend—not with flattery, but with empathy.
Self-compassion isn’t weakness. According to the Gita, it is clarity of vision—seeing the Self beyond the roles, mistakes, and conditions.
5. You Find Peace in Stillness, Not Perfection
Stillness
( Image credit : Pexels )
Perfectionism is modern-day self-torture. We delay self-love until we reach a certain weight, get that job, or “fix” our flaws. But the Gita reminds us that peace is not a reward at the end of a perfect life—it is found in balance, in stilling the mind.
“यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥”
(Like a tortoise withdrawing its limbs, the wise withdraw the senses and attain steadiness – BG 2.58)
This withdrawal isn’t escapism—it’s about disengaging from the chaotic voices, including the one inside that constantly critiques. You find peace not by doing more, fixing more, or becoming someone else—but by returning to the Self that was never broken.
6. Your Journey Becomes Aligned with Dharma, Not Drama
Follower of Dharma
( Image credit : Pexels )
By letting go of judgment, you begin to act from your inner dharma, not social conditioning or fear. You stop performing and start expressing. Your actions become aligned with purpose, not punishment.
Krishna never told Arjuna to become perfect. He told him to act from his truth. And that’s the same message to us: Acceptance is the foundation of authentic action.
In Closing: From Judgment to Joy
(You are your own friend, you are your own enemy.) – Bhagavad Gita 6.5
When you stop judging yourself, you step into your own power. You stop seeking validation and start embracing the love and compassion that already reside within you. In this space of self-acceptance, you align with your truest self, and from that place, you can live with purpose, joy, and authenticity.
The Gita reminds us that you don’t have to earn self-love—it’s always been there, waiting for you to recognize it. By letting go of judgment, you open yourself to the fullness of your being, and in doing so, discover the most profound love of all: the love you give to yourself.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!