Discernment

Spiritual Practice

"Discernment is knowing what something is,

as it truly exists at this moment."

"Your discipline here needs to be in learning to discern the way—

discerning the lessons that have to be learned,

discerning the relationships that you come in contact with, and

discerning your own motivations as you proceed."

"To be able to discern friend from foe in the universe,

you must know the difference between your strength and your weakness, for

your foe will speak to your weakness, and

your friend will speak to your strength."

Discerning the essence of things

"Though your senses will perceive the form of things, your heart will experience the essence of things, and this is how things will become known. Once they are known, you will realize how you are to participate with them. Thus, all your faculties of mind will be utilized for one great purpose, for Knowledge will utilize all your faculties and the faculties of the world for the redemption of the world, which is the redemption of Knowledge within the world."

"The essence of discernment is stillness. If you can be still with another, without trying to make them good or bad, or divine or evil, then you can begin to experience him or her very directly."

Excerpts from the New Message on Discernment

"Discernment, then, becomes not a matter of judgment and criticism but a means for recognition. Instead of good or bad, it becomes yes or no. You know what to follow and what not to follow. You know who to be with and who not to be with—all without judgment and condemnation. How simple this is and how direct and natural. How life confirming this is for you who can receive it."

"Discernment is not asking the right questions or having the right checklist. It is the ability to know. It is the ability to experience another, not critically but directly. It is the ability to restrain yourself until the moment of action is called for, however long that may be. If you are without illusions about yourself, then you will be without illusions about others. Discernment, then, is the product of a great development."

"Discernment in relationships is very important, particularly for young people, because it is here that people give their lives away for pleasure, for charm, for wealth, for advantage. It is here that people commit themselves to relationships, to circumstances and to careers that will never hold the possibility of revealing to them what they are really here to do and what they really can do."

References

Further Study

Greater Community Spirituality, chapter 7: How Is Wisdom Achieved in Life?