Because of the powerful strength found in the deep softness of humility, it is often misunderstood. We may think of humility as being self-negating. But what actually needs to be negated is the false sense of self, so that the true self can emerge from the shadows and shine. The idea of humility as a sheepish, apologetic state is just a shadow of the ego. As the sneaky ego seeks to conceal itself, you can catch it lurking behind any feeling of “greater than” or “less than.”
As you grow and evolve, you are learning to find balance between your temporal and eternal nature, between the mundane and the cosmic. You are an infinite, radiant being, like a shining star, not limited to your ego’s perception. In the Grace Mindset of humility, you let go of that which no longer serves you. You face the death of who you think yourself to be, so that you can find freedom in your true nature. Humility is the key elixir in this death and rebirth process. You let go of the ideas that fight the moment and deny your true being.
We all cast shadows on the Earth. The more you stand in pride, judgment, and illusions of grandeur, the deeper your shadow. When you are willing to kneel in gratitude, bow in reverence, let go in wonder, the depth of your shadow decreases. The death you experience is the death of the temporal, the death of “me,” “mine,” and “I.”
You are a perfect being within a perfect cosmos, with imperfect tendencies you are learning to refine and release. In humility, you can get on with your life, just as you are.
Whether you feel pride or self-loathing, they are two sides of the same coin. Your ego could convince you on one hand that “I can do this, I can do it better, I can do it faster, I can do it all,” and on the other hand, “I can’t do anything.” Both are impossibilities lenses. Humility is key to changing the lens.
Life is an ongoing opportunity to face the results of our previous actions. You can resist, dislike, judge, and feel ashamed of what you see as a reflection of who you are, or you can choose to move in a new direction, out of the dead end and into the flow. The ability to see clearly that you have been acting out of pride or self-loathing requires humility, because it asks you to soften to what is, to find a middle place that is neither mired in a painful tendency nor steeped in avoidance. This humility holds within it both the gentleness to meet the moment and the alignment to an energy greater than the self, one that is in service to your evolution. So rather than fighting or avoiding self-loathing or pride, humility teaches you to see things as they are. You accept life in all its colors. In doing so, you return to your radiant star-like nature, and shine.
Sometimes you may find yourself stuck doing the same things over and over. You could be trapped in your routines, seeing all your problematic actions, knowing all the reasons you shouldn’t be continuing these behaviors. Yet you still don’t change. In this case, humility is your medicine. It is the clarity that admits, “I am here, because I am here.” No judgment, no narration. It simply is as it is. Be honest with yourself, in a relaxed and humble way, about why you are stuck and what value you are getting out of staying there. The sobering truth is that if you felt there was no value in what you are doing, you would not do it. Maybe you are waiting for someone to rescue you, because you are attached to feeling incapable. Maybe you are afraid that if you change, you will no longer be accepted by people you care about. Whatever the reason may be, have the compassion to understand your own ignorance. This compassionate understanding fuels transformation, supported by humility and surrender.
Parvati is an award-winning musician (“I Am Light”, “Electro Yog”, “Yoga In The Nightclub”), yogini (YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine), author (“The Grace Mindset”, “Aonani of Avalon”, “The Three Supreme Secrets for Lasting Happiness”) and founder of the not-for-profit Parvati.org. All her work is dedicated to protecting all life on Earth by establishing the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS). More info: parvati.tv; parvati.org.