Humility
Humility is the attitude of experiencing the world and what it contains with wonder and awe, aware of the relative importance of self and others. The opposites of humility are pride and indifference.
Humility is essential for a meaningful, successful life. It is the chief antidote for indifference, the most fundamental of the wrong views. It is the basis for all good relationships and a healthy view of reality.
Humility is cultivated by taking the time to appreciate that everything and everyone is wonder–full. Everyone and everything makes a difference.
Humility is cultivated by remembering and accurately assessing our relative importance in the scheme of things. This is called the “Wisdom of Equality.”
] Although our relative perspective makes us apparently ‘central’, we are not ultimately and truly the center of the universe.
] Our concept of self, others, objects, and situations depends on multiple causes and conditions.
] All persons and phenomena are interdependent and impermanent.
] We are no more or less important than anything or anyone else.
At the end of each day, mentally assess how you practiced humility. Becoming aware of humility (or its opposites) in your life constitutes a major step forward in spiritual cultivation.
] Did you maintain mindfulness of humility?
] Were you able to apply the principle to your thoughts, words, and actions?
] Did you catch yourself acting out of indifference or pride?
] Did you dedicate all of your and others’ virtuous activities (even the accidental ones) to the welfare of all sentient beings?
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less.
Think more of others!
