Someone explained the essence of humility to me many decades ago as simply being truthful, especially in matters of self-identification. Being truthful about oneself is recognizing your divine nature while acknowledging your human condition, neither a narcissist nor a sycophant. This is a hard row to hoe but essential as Truth is the goal of any journey.
Although I understand the above intellectually, putting it into practice has always been difficult for me to acknowledge my human frailties and failures. As time goes on, the urge to seek the Truth compels me to look into the mirror of reality, let down my guard, and accept who I am with a truer sense of humility.
Just the other day an opportunity arose when I had a clear opportunity to practice Humility. A friend wanted to talk about something that interested her, and I was able to squelch the impulse to add what ( little) I knew about it, but just quietly listened. I found myself encoraging her to go on, because I was not only learning a great deal I did not know on the topic,, but was getting to know more about my friend. If I had let pride have its way, I would never had heard any of it, which not only added much to my understanding of the subject, but deepened and enhanced my appreciation of this fine person!! An instant reward!
Someone explained the essence of humility to me many decades ago as simply being truthful, especially in matters of self-identification. Being truthful about oneself is recognizing your divine nature while acknowledging your human condition, neither a narcissist nor a sycophant. This is a hard row to hoe but essential as Truth is the goal of any journey.
Although I understand the above intellectually, putting it into practice has always been difficult for me to acknowledge my human frailties and failures. As time goes on, the urge to seek the Truth compels me to look into the mirror of reality, let down my guard, and accept who I am with a truer sense of humility.
Just the other day an opportunity arose when I had a clear opportunity to practice Humility. A friend wanted to talk about something that interested her, and I was able to squelch the impulse to add what ( little) I knew about it, but just quietly listened. I found myself encoraging her to go on, because I was not only learning a great deal I did not know on the topic,, but was getting to know more about my friend. If I had let pride have its way, I would never had heard any of it, which not only added much to my understanding of the subject, but deepened and enhanced my appreciation of this fine person!! An instant reward!