Humility
Dear Friends,
I have been noticing how my state of mind is impacted by external circumstances.
A meditation is pleasant and easeful (I’m happy), a meditation is unpleasant (not happy)
Stocks go up (happy), stocks go down (not happy)
Someone praises me (happy), someone criticizes me (not happy).
Like a ping pong ball, our state of mind bounces back and forth, depending on events mainly out of our control.
Of course, some of this is natural (I hurt when those around me are having a hard time and it is good to feel love). And some of this has to do with my level of attachment.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna, essentially:
Act without attachment to the outcome.
And act without identifying with the "actor" or ego.
THE “ME” THAT ATTAINS
The “actor,” of course, is our identity, “the story of me.”
In this, the tendency is to HIDE our failures, and BRAG about our successes. This is social media.
There is nothing wrong with sharing positive experiences, of course. The challenge is the identity.
We may have insights via meditation, psychedelics, or have business success, and think, “Look what I attained. Aren’t I cool.”
The problem isn't the experience or insight or attainment, it's the “somebody” who's claiming to have it.
In world where bragging has become something of a religion, and humility is seen as weak, it may help to remember the words of Jesus:
"For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Arrogance and bragging may be popular now … the multi billionaires who control more and more countries in the world who “exalt themselves” have power now … but it may be quite the opposite soon.
Jesus could be right.
What path are we on? Are we on the path of “exalting ourselves” or the path of humility?
Blessings,
SOREN
Roshi Joan Halifax and Sharon Salzberg are our next guests in our monthly meditation series. By Donation.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Friday December 20th @ 11am PST: Fierce Compassion with Roshi Joan Halifax
Monday December 23rd @ 11am PST Community
Friday December 27th @ 11 am PST: The Heart of the Practice with Sharon Salzberg
I’m learning something similar too at the moment ✨🌙
A beautiful post, much needed in today's world. Even as a yoga practitioner, it's hard not to get swept into the ego-driven currents of social media. To keep things in balance, when I feel a little too proud, I tease myself a little to bring my ego down; when I'm feeling "less than" I remind myself of how far I've come.