Humility: Learning To Take A Back Seat  

By SADHU VISHWAMURTIDAS  

Some people are compulsive exhibitionists. You can find them almost anywhere; they would do anything to get noticed. At a wedding, they want to be the bride and at a funeral, the corpse.

Julius Caesar, who was an incorrigible egotist, was kidnapped when he was a child. He was held for a ransom of 11,000 gold pieces. Horrified, he exhorted his captors to raise the ransom amount to 2,50,000 gold pieces so as to preserve his prestige!

William Shakespeare said: “Praises are my wages.” Agreed American writer Mark Twain: “I can live an entire week on compliments alone.” More recently, musician Elton John said: “Even if I had only a single finger left, I would play the piano to be loved.”

There are very few people who don’t like being the centre of attraction. They are the ones who are able to derive their nourishment from within. They are the true giants of humanity; the others are insignificant.

It is said that a famous boxer once refused to tie his seat-belt aboard a plane. “Superman doesn’t need a belt,” he resisted. Tying his belt for him, the airhostess replied: “Superman doesn’t need a plane either.”

The truly great are those who know their weaknesses and aren’t afraid to admit them. They accept their limitations and blend with the crowd because they know that when it comes to the basics, everyone’s the same.

Whether rich or poor, American, Afghan or Indian, we all have the same emotions deep within us - to protect the family, educate children, provide for healthcare, to be free to walk the streets in safety, to have time for oneself, to contribute to the good of the world and to leave one’s mark, however small, on history.

And the last is something all human beings do - for better or for worse. Even an ant does not go through this world without affecting its outcome in some way.

From the worldly perspective, humility can be imbibed by realising that the population of the planet is six billion. If there was only one person on earth, he would have all the rights of law, legislation, amendment and ownership.

Today, six billion people share equal rights - that is just one six billionth or 0.000000000166 rights per person! Yet, unable to come to terms with this reality, some people behave as though they are owners of the planet.

They are unable to take a back seat in any subject. They demand to be consulted before any decisions are made. They demand to be glorified and welcomed at every meeting.

To sustain their narcissistic beliefs, some can go to the extent of humiliating others under any banner or guise, whether it be religion, country or justice.

God-consciousness is the permanent cure for egomania. Ego usually translates into 'he-go’ or 'she-go’. With God- consciousness, it transforms into 'I-go’. Explains Lord Swaminarayan: “When one realises the infinite greatness and glory of God, where is there room for self-pride?”

King Canute, who ruled England in the 11th century, one day placed his golden throne on the seashore. He sat on his throne and waited for the tide to come in. Eventually it did and wetted his feet. He repeatedly ordered the tide to go back, but it didn’t. In fact, it returned with even greater force and overturned his throne.

Canute threw off his crown and never wore it again. He declared to the people: “Only by whose nod the heaven, earth and sea obey eternal laws should be called King.”

See: www.swaminarayan.org

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See also: Humility, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)