Role of Humility

[Guest guest]

While we'd like to continue hearing about the

questions raised about yogis swamis etc, I would like to

bring up another topic for discussion.<br><br>This too

has been triggered by some of our members who has

asked us about Hindu traditions, and customs. When one

is born into a tradition one tends to take things

for granted and practices are often done without

thinking about it. <br><br>One specific tradition (if I

may call it and it is more eastern than just Hindu)

is that of humility and its expressions. Both in the

context of our daily lives and that extending to our

actions/thoughts/feelings as a follower of the spiritual traditions.

<br><br>Once when I was addressing a kids class on humility

here in the US, I asked them what the word means to

them. They replied with disgust .. humiliation. I

realized then, the concept of humilty as we in the east

see it is not common in the rest of the world. It

made sense to me then why often people from the east

are called timid, passive, and are often sent to

assertive training classes. <br><br>Humility as a quality

is valued very highly in our culture. I want to ask

members what does humility mean to you? How does it fit

into your daily lives as an individual and as a

spiritual student? <br><br>Looking for a flood of

responses.. <br><br>Love to you all<br><br>Tat twam

asi<br>UMA

[Guest guest]

Humility is a piece of good conduct (sadachara).

We cultivate humility (read unpretentiousness) in

order to see God in all things. The positive side

effects of humility are discipline, patience and

forbearance. These are qualities sorely lacking in many people

today's world.<br><br>In order to learn humility we need

to follow the example of the mahajanas. Lord

Caitanya instructed humility in order to properly chant

the Holy Name.<br><br>"One should chant the Holy Name

of the Lord while thinking onself t be lower than

the grass. He should be more tolerant than the tree,

take no respet for oneself and give all respect to

others." Caitanya Caritarita 3.20.21 This is the price one

must pay to purchase a consciousness imbued with

devotional sentiment (raganuga bhakti).<br><br>Radhe

Radhe<br><br>>:*)

[Guest guest]

A spiritual giant among the Guadiya Vaishnavas of

the past generation, His Holiness Bhakti Raksaka

Sridhara Maharaja, was also an emblem of humility and

exhibited all the qualities of a saint.<br><br>One time he

remarked that, "Spiritual progress will be measured in a

negative way". It is, indeed, a curious thing - but

practically it is seen that as one advances spiritually

he/she sees him/herself as being greatly fallen and

insignificant. This is not an artificial process. Genuine

humility is the result of sincere and genuine sadhana.

<br><br>Of course, part of that sadhana is to consciously

try to control the mind and senses and to develop

tolerance and forbearance. Peggy has nicely posted the

beautiful verse spoken by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that all

Gaudiya vaishnava are instructed to wear as a garland

around their necks.<br><br>UMA, it is curious that you

experienced such negativity when you spoke of humility to

your class. Are you living in the United States? This

is, more or less, a Christian country and you will

not find a teacher who exemplified humility more than

Jesus. He said that, 'the last shall be first' - sounds

much like the message of our beloved Sridhara

Maharaja's statement. He also taught his followers to turn

the other cheek and to 'do good to those who hate

you'. So, overall, I would have to strongly disagree

with you that humility is looked down upon in western

culture. Maybe in secular humanism, but certainly not in

the realm of western spirituality. <br><br>I have

always found in my personal dealings that being loving

and humble is appreciated by all. When anger flares

and disputes arise humility diffuses it effectively

and allows for healing and productive discussion to

take place in a more timely fashion. For example, many

times in a dispute with my wife (which luckily doesn't

happen very often) I will simply admit my own fault in

whatever the matter is and stop pushing to 'be right'. I

will do this as a practice even if I really feel that

I am right in order to diffuse a potentially

harmful and unproductive situation. It usually ends in us

both talking and the shades of gray in the overall

situation and settling the matter lovingly. Mind you, I

strive to behave in this fashion and when I do it has

always worked out beautifully - unfortunately I miss

many golden opportunities due to my own false ego and

stubborness.<br><br>Your servant,<br>Audarya lila dasa

[Guest guest]

Excellent topic, UMA.<br><br>Since I've been

raised to have deep roots in the American culture, this

is an issue I am dealing with myself. On one hand, I

have the American culture and upbringing telling me

that I must believe in myself, and that if I want

anything to happen in my life I must work hard and

struggle to make it happen for myself. When good things

happen, I am to be congratulated. It was my work and my

sacrifice that has gotten me there. Believe in yourself.

Improve yourself not by introspection, but by going out

into the world and taking what you want from

it.<br><br>I've never felt comfortable with this way of thinking.

<br><br>On the other hand, my spirit has always told me to

appreciate everything and everyone around me and to thank

God for helping me along the way. And so I struggle.

Less so now than ever before, but it still manifests

itself in ways I don't see until after the

fact.<br><br>Example: A friend came to me looking for comfort. She was

going through hard times in her life and needed

support. At the time, I thought it best to support her by

trying to offer suggestions or solutions to some of her

problems. I thought I could help her. I was wrong. My words

were not taken kindly (they were meant as such, of

course) and I have lost a friend because I thought I knew

better for her than she did.<br><br>At the time, I

thought my advice could help my friend feel better and

maybe lighten up her stress. Now, however, I just see

the way I went about it as a manifestation of my ego;

I thought I knew best for her. Had I been humble, I

would have listened and supported her as she needed,

not as I thought was best.<br><br>I regret this

choice now but I have learned a great deal from it. I

don't know best for myself, let alone anyone else. I am

constantly learning from everyone I meet and treat everyone

as I would a teacher - with respect. You never know

who you are going to meet. Besides, there is Divinity

in every being. That alone deserves my

respect.<br><br>Erica

[Guest guest]

about humility my Sadguru Sai Baba used to

say..<br><br>"Slave of slaves I am your debtor, I am satisfied at

your darshan. It is a great favour that I saw your

feet. I am an insect in your excreta. I consider Myself

blessed thereby".<br>-- from chapter 10 of Shri Sai

Satcharitra by Hemadpant<br><br>Om Shri SainathayNamah

[Guest guest]

Audarya. .. I agree with what you say. It is

often more important to be loving and kind and humble

than to be right. And the only thing that gets in our

way is definitely our ego. And yes, when I am able to

do that, it works like a charm too! <br><br>With

regards to my experience .. as I said it was in a

classroom of kids who are not necesarily exposed to the

concept in the way most eastern kids are early in their

lives, the concept having become more cultural than

religious.<br><br>Actually as I attempt to frame my thoughts into words I

find it is hard to describe the sentiment. An example

may (or may not ) may help. In 1998 the winner of

the Nobel prize in physics was a Dr. Abdul Kalaam of

Pakisthan. After he was awarded the medal, the first thing

he did was to travel to meet his elementary school

teacher in Calcutta, India, where he had done his early

schooling. He found his 90 yr old teacher and giving him the

medal said that this medal righfully belonged to him,

because it was he who taught him everything he knew!

<br><br>This is an example of the humility I am speaking of.

It doesn't imply the scientist never learned

anything beyong his elementary school years, or that the

individuality wasn't retained in his works, it simply meant

that Dr. Kalaam was acknowledging the incredible role

this teacher had played in his life. <br><br>In fact

customarily when praised, a "Hindu" nah.. an Indian typically

with folded hands says "Nah mamah"! meaning .. not me

but the Divine within. <br><br>You certainly do a

good job in dealing with differences with your loved

ones. It is in actual applying the principles we talk

of do we come to truely learn them. <br><br>Thanks

for sharing.<br>Tat twam asi<br>UMA