A medieval Catholic Saint and a native American Holy Man in supplication
Humility has a negative connotation in the modern world. In our current 'celebrity oriented' consciousness, it is often perceived as a weakness. We often confuse 'greatness' with a hyperinflated sense of 'Self.' We revel in the importance of our individuality and we indulge on the cult of our personality. We all proudly wear our accomplishments as badges of pride for people to admire or fawn over, believing that we are somehow larger than life. Thinly disguised as confidence, we constantly feed our egos to show the whole world how great we are. But at what cost?
If we look closely at the human suffering that surrounds us... If we examine the misery that envelops all of us... If we dig deep into our collective history and analyze the causes of all the wars, famine, killings and destruction we have all suffered, we will find the titanic ego of a so-called great man or woman behind every one of them. We greatly admire the glorious accomplishments of these titans, both good and bad, and we model ourselves after them. We easily dismiss their abuses and excesses as unfortunate byproducts of the progress and civilization they help create, because we covet and envy their successes (e.g. Alexander, Ceasar and Napoleon are still widely exalted as godlike-heros). After all who does not want to be admired and venerated like a god -- immortal and divine?
Our instincts are correct, but our approach is all wrong. Our yearning for immortality and divinity comes from the deepest core of our being. But our mortality and our human limitations drives us to transcend these very limitations in the most bizarre ways. Since we readily identify with our bodies and our 'ego' as 'me' or 'I,' and because it is clearly separated from the 'other' (other creatures and our environment), we mistakenly believe that this 'Self' comprises the extent of our Being. So we strive to be more than what we are, if not through the magnitude of our accomplishments and status, then through the alteration of our consciousness. The instinct that creates empires and dynasties, are the same instincts that drive hard-core junkies into drug use. In the culture of 'I,' it is always the survival of the fittest. It is 'me' against the world and others be damned. If 'I' cannot achieve success righteously, then 'I' will get it by any means necessary. Since the yearning for immortality and divinity are programmed into our Souls, there is no alternative. Both winners and losers suffer from this unquenchable transcendental thirst. Kings die wanting more kingdoms to conquer, and failures find alternatives (e.g. gambling, liquor, drugs), because our sense of 'Self' (ego) is an illusion.
Most Religions and spiritual traditions teach us about the Divine, but they reserved the 'inner teachings' to a chosen few. These initiates were taught about our true nature and our immortality since ancient times. So I have often wondered why these priests and priestesses of sacred knowledge never fully revealed these 'truths' plainly, instead of veiling them in riddles. I guess they were afraid that some people would distort the teachings to serve their own 'selfish' agendas. But I believe in the power and simplicity of these teachings, and I am confident that they cannot be easily distorted to serve 'selfish' ends. Because in order to harness its full power, we have to align ourselves with our highest spiritual potential. I other words, anyone who diligently embodies these 'truths' cannot help but be transformed from their ignorant and selfish ways.
The truths I am speaking of, are simply this: "Our Soul/Mind is immortal and divine." "We are all connected (one) in God." "Our minds are infinite." "True humility and love are the keys that will unlock our communion with God."
Jesus said:
"Whosoever … shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:1, 4).
"For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great" (Luke 9:48).
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3)
The Buddha said:
"Whenever I interact with someone, May I view myself as the lowest amongst all, And, from the very depths of my heart, Respectfully hold others as superior."
Lao-Tzu said:
"ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim."
"Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world."
"Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in."
"Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked."
Self-importance and pride isolates us from the world (and everything beyond). How can we be receptive to the infinite wonders of existence when we are only focused on our 'Selves?' We must remember that we are just a tiny part of a Whole, and should act accordingly. When we behave as an integral part of this universal reality, we might finally attain our 'true nature'-- unbound by time and space. Besides, humility fosters harmony and community, as naturally as 'egotism' promotes competition and conflict. Just remember to be honest with yourself, because false humility will never be good enough.
The truths I am speaking of, are simply this: "Our Soul/Mind is immortal and divine." "We are all connected (one) in God." "Our minds are infinite." "True humility and love are the keys that will unlock our communion with God."
Jesus said:
"Whosoever … shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:1, 4).
"For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great" (Luke 9:48).
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3)
The Buddha said:
"Whenever I interact with someone, May I view myself as the lowest amongst all, And, from the very depths of my heart, Respectfully hold others as superior."
Lao-Tzu said:
"ALL things in Nature work silently. They come into being and possess nothing. They fulfil their functions and make no claim."
"Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world."
"Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in."
"Goodness strives not, and therefore it is not rebuked."
Self-importance and pride isolates us from the world (and everything beyond). How can we be receptive to the infinite wonders of existence when we are only focused on our 'Selves?' We must remember that we are just a tiny part of a Whole, and should act accordingly. When we behave as an integral part of this universal reality, we might finally attain our 'true nature'-- unbound by time and space. Besides, humility fosters harmony and community, as naturally as 'egotism' promotes competition and conflict. Just remember to be honest with yourself, because false humility will never be good enough.
