Mid-morning.
You are waiting for Jill then you and Carol are off for the morning and lunch.
- Amorella
1002
hours. We spent part of the morning straightening up the house. This is mostly
putting things up and/or away so it is easier for her to clean. The day is
cloudy and supposed to be warm -- 79 or 80 degrees. We'll sit in the car and
read somewhere and we have a few errands to run, usual things. My page reads
are down to ten or so; much more regular. I need to work on chapter 18. I just
skimmed it so fast I forget what I read.
1134 hours. Carol is in Hallmark
buying three sympathy cards, then to Kroger's for cookies to go with the Cokes
picked up from McD's short time ago.
Note. You rearranged the sentence to show
you picked up at McD's before Carol stopped at Hallmark. It was not
clear and you debated decided it was dishonest to have it unclear when you knew
better. - Amorella
1138
hours. That was not important to mention.
It was not that important to change it. -
Amorella
1140
hours. How can you say that when it would have been dishonest?
Your obsessing on your honesty when there is
no need. I'll let you know when you are being deceptive, even self-deceptive. -
Amorella
1142
hours. That's like the fox guarding the hen house.
I am not you from my perspective orndorff. I
never have been. It would be dishonest of me to suggest that I am. - Amorella
1144
hours. Maybe it is I that needs counseling.
You tried that twice. What good did it do? -
Amorella
1148
hours. You have a point. -- Maybe I should label this blog "For Entertainment
Purposes Only".
Would that be honest? - Amorella
1151
hours. No. If I were to write "For Orndorff's Educational Purposes Only"
that would be a good disclaimer.
You could title the blog The Education of
R. H. Orndorff. - Amorella
Afternoon. You stopped at Subway for a
footlong 9-Grain Honey Oat bun, ham, turkey and pepperjack cheese with most of
the condiments and are sitting under the shade of sycamore at your favorite, Rah
Park, along the Little Miami enjoying the setting. Carol is beginning a new
published (2016) novel The Last Mile by David Baldacci. - Amorella
1330
hours. I was going to start chapter eighteen last night but went to bed instead.
The blog is titled properly as it is: ??. Can you believe this? I cannot
remember the title of the blog. Something 'mind'. Entertainment of Mind isn't
right either. Where do the words go?
You used to ask where the words come from. -
Amorella
1341
hours. This is like defining light and dark until both have lost their meaning.
Where do words come from? Where do words go?
Understanding your
meaning here -- words come from consciousness and return to, in your case, a
transposed memory. You still have 'Entertainment of Mind' in memory as the
title because to you it sounds about right, that is the 'reality of the title'
sounds more right than the actual title, whatever that is. - Amorella
1346
hours. Amorella, you are very good at summing up what's what at the moment. Amazing.
. . 'Interpretation in Mind' comes in a flash and goes away. One day all the
words will go away and I'll sit like an old tree waiting to become a stump.
Who's going to cut you down? - Amorella
1351
hours. The relentless earthly weather.
Carol just asked, "Do you want to
go?"
You
replied, "Whenever you finish the chapter. Whenever [you want]." -
Amorella
1356
hours. 'Elements of the Mind' sounds good for the title. I could just look it
up but I'm hoping it comes to me. Got it -- 'Encounters in Mind'. (1358)
1359
hours. I think my memory is transported [not transposed] Amorella. Sometimes
it's here and other times it's there. Can you believe it took me 28 minutes to
think of the title of a blog of have been constantly working on since August 2009?
Jeez Louise.
1405
hours. I was thinking of Elements of
Style by Strunk and White. That's where the 'Element of the Mind' came from.
You are home. First thing you both did was
go down and see the dogwood which bloomed its white flowers today. Carol is out
working on trimming foliage around the house and you are in the living room
with Jadah who is at the fully open but screened window. From where you sit all
the trees are out. Normally, this would be at the end of the first week in May.
- Amorella
1445
hours. I have a new Harpers and Popular Science to read. Maybe I need a nap.
Post. - Amorella
You speak for yourself, boy. It's your blog, your notes. It's not
science and it's not religion either, it's your humanity, nothing more, nothing
less. Post.
2144 hours. At least I'm human, fully human. For everybody, me included, being human can appear a blessing and a curse. - rho
The wisdom is to find a way to rise above both appearances. Post. Amorella
2151 hours. That is an interesting statement, Amorella, and it deserves thought at least in a fiction. I am remember something I thought the other day -- to be fully human is to put the virtue humility first. How do the marsupial humanoids appear to do this? How does Ship appear to do this?
** **
All of Human lives in this Earth, all human who are pride only can be defeated by only one human who are Humility in this earth but in the world Humility is seen as weakness and pride is seen as powerless.
Term
Mythology
** **
Post. - Amorella
You tried to nap but read this May's Popular
Science instead. Jadah napped curled on the bed and still is. Carol has finished
working on her email for the day. - Amorella
1710
hours. PS was an okay but about big machines, not my cup of tea. While reading
I had half a ?? This is not good. I forgot another word - a Jewish 'large muffin-like
unleavened bread with a hole in the middle'. Anyway, I put peanut butter on the
half and had a small bar of chocolate too. No need for either one and now my
stomach's uncomfortable and full. Who's going to want supper? Carol said she's
going to have fruit, fat free cottage cheese and crackers for supper now. I
told her I'd eat later. I don't like losing words. Growing old is consciousness
reminding you that you are no longer fifty or even sixty. Consciousness begins
to let things go partly because your younger, working life is no longer needed.
I last taught full time in 2003. Teachers working today say it is nothing like
it used to be. I partially believe them except for student-teacher interaction.
That was the fun part, that and the literature itself, always the fun part. I
know from those who still teach high school that the interaction still exists
with some of them at least. Maybe it was always this way.
1733
hours. I am wondering what consciousness really encompasses. It has to have
elements of past, present and future probabilities noted even unconsciously. It
gives us a sense of 'being in two places at once -- inside ourselves and
outside ourselves (our shared environment) at once. We react to both
consciously and unconsciously. We do not fully have free will only a semblance
of it. We control what we can, or rather, we are trained to control what we can
of both environments (spiritual -
physical) at once. My definition of spiritual here is the trinity, if you will,
of the human spirit -- the heartansoulanmind. That is the way it is this blog
which is my world of heartansoulanmind -- the rest (the books) are fiction of
course.
2144 hours. At least I'm human, fully human. For everybody, me included, being human can appear a blessing and a curse. - rho
The wisdom is to find a way to rise above both appearances. Post. Amorella
2151 hours. That is an interesting statement, Amorella, and it deserves thought at least in a fiction. I am remember something I thought the other day -- to be fully human is to put the virtue humility first. How do the marsupial humanoids appear to do this? How does Ship appear to do this?
** **
Article on Humility from Wikipedia:
Humility is the quality of being humble.
In a religious context this can mean a recognition of self in relation to God or deities, acceptance of one's
defects, and submission to divine grace as
a member of a religion. Outside
of a religious context, humility is defined as the self-restraint from excessive vanity, and can possess
moral and/or ethical dimensions.
Humility,
in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and philosophical
traditions, often in contrast to narcissism, hubris and other forms of pride.
All of Human lives in this Earth, all human who are pride only can be defeated by only one human who are Humility in this earth but in the world Humility is seen as weakness and pride is seen as powerless.
Term
The term
"humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which may be translated as "humble", but also
as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives in
turns from humus (earth).
Because the
concept of humility addresses intrinsic self-worth,
relationships and socialization as well as perspective, it is emphasized in
religious practice, moral teaching and ethical study where the notion is often
made more precise.
Mythology
Aidos, in
Greek mythology, was the daimona (goddess) of shyness, shame and
humility. She was the quality
that restrained human beings from wrong.
Religious views of
humility
Abrahamic
Judaism
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks states that in Judaism humility is an
appreciation of oneself, one's talents, skills, and virtues. It is not meekness
or self-deprecating thought, but the effacing of oneself to something higher.
Humility is not to think lowly of oneself, but to appreciate the self, one has
received. In recognition of the mysteries and complexities of life, one becomes
humbled to the awesomeness one is and what one can achieve. Rabbi Pini Dunner discusses
that humility is to place others first; it is to appreciate others' worth as
important. In recognizing our worth as people, Rabbi Dunner shows that looking
into the zillions of stars in the sky, and in the length and history of time,
you and I are insignificant, like dust. Rabbi Dunner states that Moses wrote in
the Torah, "And Moses was exceedingly humble, more than any man on the
face of the earth." How is it possible to be humble and write you are the
most humble? The conclusion is that Moses knew he was humble. It is not in
denial of your talents and gifts but to recognize them and live up to your
worth and something greater. It is in the service to others that is the
greatest form of humility.
As illustrated in the person of Moses, who leads the nation of
Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and to the “Promised Land”, humility is a sign
of Godly strength and purpose, not weakness. Of this great leader, the Bible
states, “For Moses was a man exceeding meek above all men that dwelt upon
earth" (Numbers 12:3). Moses is venerated by Jewish and Christian
adherents alike.
Amongst the benefits of humility described in the Old Testament,
that is shared by many faiths, are honor, wisdom, prosperity, the protection of
the Lord and peace. In addition, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble" (Proverbs 3:34)
Christianity
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in
humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but
each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one
another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being
made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:3-8, NIV
New Testament exhortations to humility are found in many places,
for example "Blessed are the meek" (Matthew 5), "He who exalts
himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew
23:12), as well as (Philippians 2:1-17) and throughout the Book of James. Also
in Jesus Christ's behavior in general and submission to unjust torture and
execution in particular, are held up as examples of righteous humility:
"Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened
not: but delivered himself to him that judged him justly." 1 Peter 2:23.
C.S.
Lewis writes, in Mere Christianity, that pride is the "anti-God" state,
the position in which the ego and the self are directly opposed to God:
"Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites
in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride
leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind." In
contrast, Lewis states that, in Christian moral teaching, the opposite of pride
is humility and, in his famous phrase, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself,
but thinking of yourself less." [this quote is not by C.S. Lewis, it is
wrongly quoted by Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life.]
St. Augustine stresses the importance of humility in the study
of the Bible, with the exemplars of a barbarian Christian slave, the apostle
Paul, and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 (De
Doctrina Christiana, proem. 4-7 [hereafter DDC]).
Both learner and teacher need to be humble, because they learn
and teach what ultimately belongs to God (DDC, prooem. 7-8; 1 Cor. 4:7).
Humility is a basic disposition of the interpreter of the Bible. The confidence
of the exegete and preacher arises from the conviction that his or her mind
depends on God absolutely (DDC, 1.1.1).
Augustine argues that the
interpreter of the Bible should proceed with humility, because only a humble
person can grasp the truth of Scripture (DDC, 2.41.62).
Humility is said to be a fit recipient of grace; according to
the words of St. James, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble" (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6)
"True humility" is distinctly different from
"false humility" which consists of deprecating one's own sanctity,
gifts, talents, and accomplishments for the sake of receiving praise or
adulation from others, as personified by the fictional character Uriah Heep
created by Charles Dickens. In this context legitimate humility comprises the
following behaviors and attitudes:
Submitting to God and legitimate authority
Recognizing virtues and talents that others possess,
particularly those that surpass one's own, and giving due honor and, when
required, obedience
Recognizing the limits of one's talents, ability, or authority;
and, not reaching for what is beyond one's grasp
The vices opposed to humility are:
•
Pride (by reason or defect).
•
•
Too great obsequiousness or abjection of oneself; this would be
considered an excess of humility, and could easily be derogatory to one's
office or holy character; or it might serve only to pamper pride in others, by
unworthy flattery, which would occasion their sins of tyranny, arbitrariness,
and arrogance. The virtue of humility may not be practiced in any external way
that would occasion vices in others.
•
Catholicism
Catholic texts view humility as annexed to the cardinal virtue
of temperance. It is viewed as a potential part of temperance because
temperance includes all those virtues that restrain or express the inordinate
movements of our desires or appetites.
Humility is defined as, "A quality by which a person
considering his own defects has a humble opinion of himself and willingly
submits himself to God and to others for God's sake." St. Bernard defines
it as, "A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases
himself. Jesus Christ is the ultimate definition of Humility."
Humility was a virtue extolled by Saint Francis of Assisi, and
this form of Franciscan piety led to the artistic development of the Madonna of humility first used by them
for contemplation. The Virgin of humility sits on the ground, or upon a low
cushion, unlike the Enthroned Madonna representations. This style of painting
spread quickly through Italy and by 1375 examples began to appear in Spain,
France and Germany and it became the most popular among the styles of the early
Trecento artistic period.
St. Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century philosopher and theologian in
the Scholastic tradition, defines humility similarly as "the virtue of humility"
that "consists in keeping oneself within one's own bounds, not reaching
out to things above one, but submitting to one's superior" (Summa Contra
Gent., bk. IV, ch. lv, tr. Joseph Rickaby).
Islam
In the Qur'an, various Arabic words conveying the meaning of
"humility" are used. The very term "Islam" can be interpreted as "surrender (to
God), humility”, from the triconsonantal root S-L-M; other words used are tawadu
and khoshou:
Before thee We sent (messengers) to many nations, and We
afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn
humility. When the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn
humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their
(sinful) acts seem alluring to them.
— Quran, [6:42–43]
Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves
in their prayers.
— Quran, [23:1–2]
Eastern
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion of self-examination. The natural aim of
the Buddhist life is the state of enlightenment, gradually cultivated through
meditation and other spiritual practices. Humility, in this context, is a
characteristic that is both an essential part of the spiritual practice, and a
result of it. As a quality to be developed, it is deeply connected with the
practice of Four Abodes (Brahmavihara): love-kindness, compassion, empathetic
joy and equanimity. As a result of the practice, this cultivated humility is
expanded by the wisdom acquired by the experience of ultimate emptiness
(Shunyata) and non-self (Anatta). Humility, compassion, and wisdom are
intrinsic parts of the state of enlightenment. On the other hand, not being
humble is an obstacle on the path of enlightenment which needs to be overcome.
In the Tipitaka (the Buddhist scriptures), criticizing others
and praising oneself is considered a vice; but criticizing oneself and
praising others is considered a virtue. Attachment to the self, apart
from being a vice in itself, also leads to other evil states, that create
suffering.
In the Tipitaka, in the widely known "Mangala Sutta", humility (Pali:
nivato, literally: 'without air') is mentioned as one of the
thirty-eight blessings in life. In the Pali tradition, examples of humility
that are often raised are the monk Sariputta Thera, a leading disciple of the
Buddha, and Hatthaka, a leading lay disciple. In later Pali texts and
Commentaries, Sariputta Thera is depicted as a forgiving person, who is quick
to apologize and accepting of criticism. In the suttas (discourses of the Buddha) Hatthaka is praised by the Buddha
when he was unwilling to let other people know his good qualities.
In Buddhist practice, humility is practiced in a variety of
ways. For example, Japanese Soto Zen monks bow and chant in honor of their
robes before they don them. This serves to remind them of the connection of the
monk's robes with enlightenment. Buddhist monks in all traditions are dependent
on the generosity of laypeople, through who they receive their necessities.
This in itself is a practice of humility.
Hinduism
In Sanskrit literature of Hinduism, the virtue of humility is
explained with many terms, some of which use the root word, neti
(sometimes spelled nati, nti, Sanskrit: नति). Related words include veniti
(विनति), samniti (संनति, humility towards), and the concept amanitvam,
listed as the first virtue in the Bhagwad Gita. Amanitvam is a fusion
word for pridelessness and the virtue of humility. Other related concepts are namrata
(नम्रता), which means modest
and humble behavior.
Different scholars have varying interpretations for the concept
of amanitvam, humility, as virtue in the Bhagwad Gita. For example,
Prabhupada explains humility to mean one should not be anxious to have the
satisfaction of being honored by others. The material conception of life makes
us very eager to receive honor from others, but from the point of view of a man
in perfect knowledge—who knows that he is not this body—anything, honor or
dishonor, pertaining to this body is useless. Jopson explains amanitvam,
humility, as lack of arrogance and pride, and one of twenty six virtues in a
human being that if perfected, leads one to a divine state of living and the
ultimate truth.
Eknath Easwaran writes that the Gita's subject is "the war
within, the struggle for self-mastery that every human being must wage if he or
she is to emerge from life victorious", and "The language of battle
is often found in the scriptures, for it conveys the strenuous, long, drawn-out
campaign we must wage to free ourselves from the tyranny of the ego, the cause
of all our suffering and sorrow". To get in touch with your true self,
whether you call that God, Brahman, etc., one has to let go of the ego.
The Sanskrit word Ahamkara literally translates into
The-sound-of-I, or quite simply the sense of the self or ego.
Gandhi interprets the concept of humility in Hinduism
much more broadly, where humility is an essential virtue that must exist in a
person for other virtues to emerge. To Gandhi, Truth can be cultivated, as well
as Love, but Humility cannot be cultivated, Humility has to be one of the
starting points. He claims, "Humility cannot be an observance by itself.
For it does not lend itself to being practiced. It is however an indispensable
test of ahimsa (non-violence)." Humility must not be confused with mere
manners; a man may prostrate himself before another, but if his heart is full
of bitterness for the other, it is not humility. Sincere humility is how one
feels inside, a state of mind. A humble person is not himself conscious of his
humility, claims Gandhi.
Vivekananda, one of the scholars of Hinduism in the 19th
century, argues that concept of humility does not mean "crawling on all
four and calling oneself a sinner." In Vivekananda's Hinduism, each human
being is the Universal, recognizing and feeling oneness with everyone and
everything else in the universe, without inferiority or superiority or any
other bias, is the mark of humility. To Radhakrishnan, humility in Hinduism is
the non-judgmental state of mind when we are best able to learn, contemplate
and understand everyone and everything else.
Sikhism
•
Make contentment your ear-rings, humility your begging bowl, and
meditation the ashes you apply to your body.
•
Listening and believing with love and humility in your mind.
•
In the realm of humility, the Word is Beauty.
•
Modesty, humility and intuitive understanding are my
mother-in-law and father-in-law.
•
Sayings of Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak, First Guru Of Sikhism
Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru was the prophet of humility.
Neecha Andar Neech Jaat Neechi Hu At Neech Nanak Tin Kai Sang
Saath Vadian Sio Kia Rees.
Translated it means Nanak is the companion of the lowest of the
low and of the condemned lot. He has nothing in common with the high born.
—Sri Guru Granth Sahib, 15,
Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj said about Guru Nanak that Garibi,
Nimrata, Humility is the Divine Flavour, the most wonderful fragrance of the
Lotus Feet of Lord Guru Nanak. There is no place for Ego (referred to in
Sikhism as Haumain) in the sphere of Divine Love, in the sphere of true Prema
Bhagti. That is why in the House of Guru Nanak one finds Garibi, Nimrata,
Humility reigning supreme. Guru Nanak was an Incarnation of Divine Love and a
Prophet of True Humility.
According to Sikhism all people, equally, have to bow before God
so there ought to be no hierarchies among or between people. According to Nanak
the supreme purpose of human life is to reconnect with Akal (The Timeless One),
however, egotism is the biggest barrier in doing this. Using the guru's
teaching remembrance of nam (the
divine Word) leads to the end of egotism. The immediate fruit of humility is
intuitive peace and pleasure. With humility they continue to meditate on the
Lord, the treasure of excellence. The God-conscious being is steeped in
humility. One whose heart is mercifully blessed with abiding humility. Sikhism
treats humility as a begging bowl before the god.
Sikhs extend this belief in equality, and thus humility, towards
all faith: "all religious traditions are equally valid and capable of
enlightening their followers". In addition to sharing with others Guru
Nanak inspired people to earn an honest living without exploitation and also
the need for remembrance of the divine name (God). Guru Nanak described living
an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness,
fidelity, self-control and purity" as being higher than a purely
contemplative life.
Baba Nand Singh Ji
Baba Nand Singh Sahib is renowned as the most humble Sikh Saint
in the history of Sikhism. Once the disciples of Baba Harnam Singh Ji, the spiritual
preceptor of Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj asked him how much power He had
transmitted to Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj to which He replied
"Rikhi Nand Singh holds in His hand Infinite Divine Powers.
By just opening His fist He can create as many such-like universes as He likes
and by closing the same fist can withdraw all those universes unto Himself. But the whole
beauty is that being the supreme Repository of all the Infinite Divine Powers,
He claims to be nothing and is so humble."
— Baba Harnam Singh Ji Maharaj
Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj was humbler than the humblest in
spirit and He outshines everyone at the pinnacle of all spiritual glory.
Sri Guru Arjan Sahib says in Sukhmani Sahib:
"Brahm Giani Sab Shresht Ka Karta
Brahm Giani Sad Jiwe Nahin Marta ... Brahm Giani Ka Sagal Akar
Brahm Giani Aap Nirankar.
"Translated it means: A true Brahm Giani is the creator
of the whole universe. Brahm Giani lives through eternity; He never dies.Brahm
Giani pervades the whole manifest creation. Brahm Giani is Himself the formless
Universal Lord.
— Sri Guru Granth Sahib, 273,
He who is the Highest is the Lowest. Highest in the Lowest is
the Real Highest.
— Baba Narinder Singh Ji
Meher Baba
The spiritual teacher Meher Baba held that humility is one of
the foundations of devotional life: "Upon the altar of humility we must
offer our prayers to God."[ Baba also described the power of humility to
overcome hostility: "True humility is strength, not weakness. It disarms
antagonism and ultimately conquers it." Finally, Baba emphasized the
importance of being humble when serving others: "One of the most
difficult things to learn is to render service without bossing, without making
a fuss about it and without any consciousness of high and low. In the world of
spirituality, humility counts at least as much as utility."
Taoism
Here are my three treasures.
Guard and keep them!
The first is pity; the second, frugality; the third, refusal to
be "foremost of all things under heaven".
For only he that pities is truly able to be brave;
Only he that is frugal is able to be profuse.
Only he that refuses to be foremost of all things
Is truly able to become chief of all Ministers.
At present your bravery is not based on pity, nor your profusion
on frugality, nor your vanguard on your rear; and this is death.
(translation of the Tao Te Ching) by Arthur Waley 1958:225
Humility, in Taoism, is defined as a refusal to assert authority
or a refusal to be first in anything and that the act of daring, in itself, is
a refusal of wisdom and a rush to enjoin circumstances before you are ready.
Along with compassion and frugality, humility
is one the three treasures (virtues) in the possession of those who follow the
Tao.
The treasure of humility, in Chinese is a six-character phrase
instead of a single word: Bugan wei tianxia xian 不敢為天下先 "not dare to be
first/ahead in the world". Ellen Chen notes that The third treasure,
daring not be at the world's front, is the Taoist way to avoid premature death.
To be at the world's front is to expose oneself, to render oneself vulnerable
to the world's destructive forces, while to remain behind and to be humble is
to allow oneself time to fully ripen and bear fruit. This is a treasure whose
secret spring is the fear of losing one's life before one's time. This fear of
death, out of a love for life, is indeed the key to Taoist wisdom. (1989:209)
Furthermore, also according to the Tao Te Ching (77.4) a wise.4) person acts without claiming the results as his; he
achieves his merit and does not rest (arrogantly) in it: – he does not wish to
display his superiority.
Pagan
Wicca
In the numerous traditions of initiatory Wicca, called in the
U.S.A. British Traditional Wicca, four paired & balanced qualities
are recommended in liturgical texts as having come from the Wiccan Goddess:
"…let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion,
honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you."
— Doreen Valiente, The Charge of the Goddess, prose
version
In the matter of humility, this deific instruction appropriately
pairs being honorable with being humble. Characteristically, this Wiccan
"virtue" is balanced by its partner virtue.
Philosophical views of
humility
Kant's view of humility has been defined as "that
meta-attitude that constitutes the moral agent's proper perspective on himself
as a dependent and corrupt but capable and dignified rational agent". Kant's
notion of humility relies on the centrality of truth and rational thought
leading to proper perspective and can therefore be seen as emergent.
Mahatma Gandhi is attributed as suggesting that attempting to
sustain truth without humility is doomed to become an "arrogant
caricature" of truth.
Criticism
While many religions and philosophers view humility as a virtue,
some have been critical of it, seeing it as opposed to individualism.
Nietzche views humility as a strategy used by the weak to avoid
being destroyed by the strong. In Twilight
of the Idols he writes: "When stepped on, a worm doubles up. That is
clever. In that way he lessens the probability of being stepped on again. In
the language of morality: humility." He believed that his idealized
Ubermensch would be more apt to roam around unfettered by pretensions of
humility, proud of his stature and power, but not reveling idly in it, and
certainly not displaying hubris. But, if so, this would mean the pretension
aspect of this kind of humility is more akin to obsequiousness and to other
kinds of pretentious humility.
Humility and
leadership
Recent research suggests that humility is a
quality of certain types of leaders. For example, Jim Collins and his
colleagues found that a certain type of leader, whom they term "level
5", possesses humility and fierce resolve. Humility is being studied as a
trait that can enhance leadership effectiveness. The research suggests that
humility is multi-dimensional and includes self-understanding and awareness,
openness, and perspective taking.
Selected and edited from Wikipedia
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Post. - Amorella
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