Humility as a Spiritual Practice

Humility as a Spiritual Practice

PRACTICE

52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice

By Deborah Williams

The purpose of the 52 Principles is to develop a partnership, a connection with God. Connecting with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The intent of the 52 Principles is God-realization through daily practice. Practice the principles with frequency and find God-consciousness through your own efforts. This week’s spiritual principle is Humility.

Humility is derived from the root word humus; plants and leaves that decay and used as fertilizer.  Like humus, humility is worth cultivating and is potentially profitable when developed. Humility is measured by how we connect with God and others through our behavior. A humble spirit is willing and able to serve God and others. When we humble ourselves, God can mold us into what He wants us to be when we are willing and able to listen and follow His direction.  “And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble’ (1 Peter 5:5). Humility is freedom from pride and arrogance and the suppression of the ego.

We cannot see the truth when the ego is the primary driver. The ego is without compassion, haughty, judgmental; insisting on being right. Being right is over-rated when we alienate others. The ego's only goal is to protect the false self.  The ego flaunts cleverness, seeks competition for external power and prestige. The ego looks to others for validation and self-worth. Your true self is behind the image. Ego is “Easing God Out” with no recognition of God’s grace, power, or mercy.  We can do nothing without the grace of God. Surrender the ego and allow God to drive your thoughts. Challenge ideas that do not contribute to a true relationship with your Higher Power, Creator, God.  We are charged to practice the fruit of the Spirit, the work which His presence within us accomplishes is love, joy, peace, patience, an even temper, tolerance, kindness, goodness, compassion, faithfulness, gentleness, humility, self-control, and self-restraint. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

True humility is a foundation to serve others. False humility is a self-righteous attitude of “I am better than you, but I will help you and take credit.” True humility is helping others without expectation of payment or reward.  We may be able to fool others, but God sees the heart. Humility and kindness are inter-related; you cannot be unkind and humble. God favors humility; true humility and service are connected. Jesus demonstrated the “how to” of humility on countless occasions; as a humble servant, washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:12); listening and embracing children (Matthew 19:4); to riding on a donkey (Matthew 21:5); and His relentless service to everyone who received Him.

 Humility Practices

 LISTENING: Start with family by listening and valuing what children are saying. A child’s opinion is equal when we are aware of who they are in Spirit. Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children (Matthew 19:14).

 COMPASSION: Be willing to become all things to all people.  Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life, but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-centered life. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be about it! (1 Corinthians 9:19:23).

NONJUDGMENTAL: Surrender the need to judge others by practicing non-judgment. This process will allow you to become aware of your “right-ness” – the activity of the ego.  Begin your day with the statement “Today I will judge nothing that occurs” and remind yourself throughout the day not to judge. This is an exercise in awareness and taming the ego.

 
Self -Assessment

What are your lessons in humility?

What humbles you?
Do you judge others by what you see or what “they say”?
Does your right-ness discount other’s opinions?
Are you the center, or do others exist?
Are you aware and do you care how you affect others?
Who do you value and why?

We are all on the same level; a base level of human-ness regardless of gender, race, sex, and socio-economic status. Practice humility and live in the ideal. Living humility is when you can stop and enjoy where you are.

 
How do you practice humility? Develop your own spiritual practice.

 Peace and Many Blessings