getting over the habit of judging people

It often happens so easily, so rapidly - as long as it takes for my gaze to rest on something or someone and deem it/them good or bad, appealing or unappealing. And it happens so often in our lives that it becomes habitual; it happens without our even realizing it has happened and without even recognizing how it shapes the choices that follow. Judgment happens. However, it seems that when we bring a mindful awareness to the moment at hand we can catch ourselves in the act of judgment, and we can choose not to judge. This releasing, too, can become habitual.

A story told by Theophane the Monk in his book Tales of the Magic Monastery:

I asked an old monk, "How do I get over the habit of judging people?"

He answered, "When I was your age, I was wondering where would be the best place to go to pray. Well, I asked Jesus that question. His answer was, "Why don't you go into the heart of my Father?" So I did. I went into the heart of the Father, and all these years that's where I've prayed. Now I see everyone as my own child. How can I judge anyone?"