Imagine for a moment that there are only three places you can be on earth: a courtroom, a classroom, or a playground.
The courtroom is where you go when you believe your’e guilty, someone else is guilty, or perhaps God is guilty for creating the mess we’re in.
Most of us spend an awful amount of time in court.
It’s quite an epiphany to realize that there is no judge outside your ego, that you are always being tried by a jury of your fears, and that it is up to you to dismiss your case and pronounce yourself innocent.
Let’s get more conscious of courtroom consciousness.
Come on in. The door is open.
The prosecuting attorney is busy making sure there is plenty of evidence for your guilt, or, when that gets tiring, someone else’s.
Our defense attorney is also there, arguing for your innocence.
The Spiritual Dr. Seuss, in his performance of How the Guilt Stole Christmas, says it like this:
And on and on these attorneys they fight
All night and all day, all day and all night
Both trying to be heard and trying to be right
And when they cross-examine, battle and spar
They both have no clue of the true you you are
Note that the dress code in the courtroom is quite formal and the seats are uncomfortable.
There is no laughter, no spontaneity, no Birkenstocks…just Order in the Court!
Not fun.
Let’s let court be adjourned for now. You can always come back.
Instead, let’s visit the classroom. School is in session.
The classroom is where we go to work on ourselves, pass or fail tests, and pursue higher education, maybe even aspiring for our masters.
Bring on A Course in Miracles, The Twelve Steps, and many other disciplines and practices.
Note that in the classroom we alone give ourselves grades. Our grading system can be so degrading, especially when you decree that you haven’t made the grade!
Are you a good, dedicated student of spirituality?
Good for you!
Study, study, study!
Perhaps it is time for a study break.
Outside the classroom awaits a playground.
Perhaps it is time to visit.
The playground is where we not only enjoy life, but also learn our earth lessons lightheartedly, and at lightening speed.
Like how little children learn languages.
No effort at all.
Joy is their classroom.
Why not you and I?
I feel a book brewing in me about all this. Maybe I’ll call it:
Growing Down
The Next Step After Adulting
How to go from Courtroom to Playground
1.Become honest about where you are at.
2. Forgive yourself.
3. Laugh.
Nothing more, nothing less.
We are naturally playful. It’s our true nature.
So where are you right now?
If you are judging yourself for not being in the playground, you are in the courtroom.
If you are taking notes and making a serious effort to be more playful, you are in the classroom.
Keep up the good work, aspiring Jedi!
If you are aware you are in courtroom consciousness and have a belly laugh at yourself, congratulations!
You’ve just entered the playground.
PS. If you would like my support in exiting the courtroom and resting your case, find out about my coaching/healing practice at Scott At Your Service, which is on my new website still under construction, but that page looks mighty fine!
PPS. If you loved this article, you’ll adore seeing the Spiritual Dr. Seuss perform How the Guilt Stole Christmas.