The Power of Humility

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:So, what’s the deal with humility? I mean, where does it actually show up in the Gospels? Aside from when Jesus was washing the disciples' feet or basically handing himself over to be executed, where's the humility? Most of the time, he was busy teaching about love or healing people, sure, but let's be real—he was throwing threats around too. Since when does pulling off miracles count as being humble, right?
And where exactly did Muhammad show humility?
Where was Buddha being humble?
Sometimes I get this nagging feeling that "humility" is just an expectation placed on followers, especially women. I mean, look at Mary. The Gospels make it clear that while the apostles were busy scattering in every direction to save their own skins, it was the women who stayed by Jesus' side at the cross. You want to call that humility? Or is it something else?

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:Yeah, but honestly, every single religious leader I’ve ever come across—and I mean everyone from the local preacher to those high-priced gurus out in California—doesn't actually promote that sense of Unity. Instead, they just sit there letting people shower them with gold and expensive gifts.

Betty Chavez2 said:That's an internal state, though. You can't exactly spot it from the outside.

...and not everyone is like that. The spiritual teacher Martin was the literal embodiment of everything Christ taught; he lived such a humble, simple life. Even as a kid, he’d always ask himself, "What would Jesus do if he were in my shoes?"

David Vaughn75 said:If you seriously think Jesus was supposed to just play nice with everyone back then and cater to their every little whim, then you’ve got it all wrong. Like, what does humility even mean to you? It’s not about sitting there waiting to be handed stuff—it’s about being the one giving it away.

People need to show some damn humility toward Jesus, not the other way around. He’s the teacher here, not the student.
And at the end of the day, we all need to stay humble before God.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:From what I recall, that’s exactly how Mother Teresa used to put it. And man, she was the definition of humble. Another woman, I guess.

But wait, shouldn't teachers lead by example when it comes to being humble? There's that story about the fig tree that Jesus cursed just because it wasn't in season and He wanted some fruit.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:From what I recall, that’s exactly how Mother Teresa used to put it. And man, she was the definition of humble. Another woman, I guess.

But wait, shouldn't teachers lead by example when it comes to being humble? There's that story about the fig tree that Jesus cursed just because it wasn't in season and He wanted some fruit.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:So, what’s the deal with humility? I mean, where does it actually show up in the Gospels? Aside from when Jesus was washing the disciples' feet or basically handing himself over to be executed, where's the humility? Most of the time, he was busy teaching about love or healing people, sure, but let's be real—he was throwing threats around too. Since when does pulling off miracles count as being humble, right?
And where exactly did Muhammad show humility?
Where was Buddha being humble?
Sometimes I get this nagging feeling that "humility" is just an expectation placed on followers, especially women. I mean, look at Mary. The Gospels make it clear that while the apostles were busy scattering in every direction to save their own skins, it was the women who stayed by Jesus' side at the cross. You want to call that humility? Or is it something else?

Sandra Morgan2 said:Humility—defined as being modest, unobtrusive, and seeing oneself as insignificant compared to others and God—has to come from a deep realization of how reality actually works. Otherwise, it’s just acting. It’s just a programmed behavior.

To me, that insight is captured perfectly by the Sanskrit term *nirmama*. In a loose translation, it means: nothing is mine, I own nothing, nothing belongs to me.

Only someone who truly understands that everything they have—their parents, spouse, children, all their property, everything they’ve built, everything they know, those diplomas hanging on the wall, everything they’ve acquired, including their very body and identity—is a gift, is not truly theirs, is temporary, and will eventually be taken away... only then can they be truly humble.

That realization makes a person non-confrontational and peaceful. They don't feel the need to be at odds with the world, other people, their loved ones, or God. Such a person won't be arrogant, boastful, puffed up, or full of themselves (all traits that are the polar opposite of humility).

But they won't be a pushover who just bends to everyone else either... because beyond seeing that they own nothing, they see that no one else owns anything either.

neonfalcon99 said:Where is that story located??? I haven't heard it, so now I'm curious. Did Jesus really curse a fig tree just because it wasn't bearing fruit when he wanted some?

Sandra Morgan2 said:Humility—defined as being modest, unobtrusive, and seeing oneself as insignificant compared to others and God—has to come from a deep realization of how reality actually works. Otherwise, it’s just acting. It’s just a programmed behavior.

To me, that insight is captured perfectly by the Sanskrit term *nirmama*. In a loose translation, it means: nothing is mine, I own nothing, nothing belongs to me.

Only someone who truly understands that everything they have—their parents, spouse, children, all their property, everything they’ve built, everything they know, those diplomas hanging on the wall, everything they’ve acquired, including their very body and identity—is a gift, is not truly theirs, is temporary, and will eventually be taken away... only then can they be truly humble.

That realization makes a person non-confrontational and peaceful. They don't feel the need to be at odds with the world, other people, their loved ones, or God. Such a person won't be arrogant, boastful, puffed up, or full of themselves (all traits that are the polar opposite of humility).

But they won't be a pushover who just bends to everyone else either... because beyond seeing that they own nothing, they see that no one else owns anything either.

Betty Chavez2 said:Humility should first be an internal state where we submit to God's will—a state where our own will becomes God's will, where there is zero resistance and everything flows naturally within an inner current of bliss where two become one in Unity.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:Yeah, but honestly, every single religious leader I’ve ever come across—and I mean everyone from the local preacher to those high-priced gurus out in California—doesn't actually promote that sense of Unity. Instead, they just sit there letting people shower them with gold and expensive gifts.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:From what I recall, that’s exactly how Mother Teresa used to put it. And man, she was the definition of humble. Another woman, I guess.

But wait, shouldn't teachers lead by example when it comes to being humble? There's that story about the fig tree that Jesus cursed just because it wasn't in season and He wanted some fruit.

Sandra Murphy33 said:We owe our humility to that greater force we can't always wrap our heads around—call it God, the Universe, or simply Life itself—but we certainly don't owe it to other people.
That’s how I see it, at least.

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:So, what’s the deal with humility? I mean, where does it actually show up in the Gospels? Aside from when Jesus was washing the disciples' feet or basically handing himself over to be executed, where's the humility? Most of the time, he was busy teaching about love or healing people, sure, but let's be real—he was throwing threats around too. Since when does pulling off miracles count as being humble, right?
And where exactly did Muhammad show humility?
Where was Buddha being humble?
Sometimes I get this nagging feeling that "humility" is just an expectation placed on followers, especially women. I mean, look at Mary. The Gospels make it clear that while the apostles were busy scattering in every direction to save their own skins, it was the women who stayed by Jesus' side at the cross. You want to call that humility? Or is it something else?

Betty Chavez2 said:A human is just a human, and God is God.

That’s what true humility is all about.

We're just a single drop, and He is the entire ocean... and that's never going to change.

There's this massive, infinite, indescribable love in that realization... honestly, the word "humility" doesn't even cut it anymore... because once you dissolve into that Unity and bliss, there is only Unity.

Within that understanding, there lies a massive, infinite, and truly indescribable love... so much so that even the word "humility" loses its meaning... because once we melt into that Unity and bliss, only Unity remains.

Sandra Morgan2 said:I don't know,

I’m not even sure if those two were actually humble people to begin with....

lonefox19 said:https://www.bitno.net/vjera/pitajte-...sus-proklinje/

Elizabeth Castillo87 said:Look, maybe we're just picking different examples, but I totally get where you're coming from with that definition of humility. Honestly? I feel like I run into genuine humility way more often when I'm dealing with nuns or some local priests rather than those self-proclaimed gurus out there...
But yeah, they're definitely rare finds.

This is hands down the most pathetic and racist take on the story of Jesus and the fig tree I've ever seen.

Sandra Morgan2 said:Humility—defined as being modest, unobtrusive, and seeing oneself as insignificant compared to others and God—has to come from a deep realization of how reality actually works. Otherwise, it’s just acting. It’s just a programmed behavior.

To me, that insight is captured perfectly by the Sanskrit term *nirmama*. In a loose translation, it means: nothing is mine, I own nothing, nothing belongs to me.

Only someone who truly understands that everything they have—their parents, spouse, children, all their property, everything they’ve built, everything they know, those diplomas hanging on the wall, everything they’ve acquired, including their very body and identity—is a gift, is not truly theirs, is temporary, and will eventually be taken away... only then can they be truly humble.

That realization makes a person non-confrontational and peaceful. They don't feel the need to be at odds with the world, other people, their loved ones, or God. Such a person won't be arrogant, boastful, puffed up, or full of themselves (all traits that are the polar opposite of humility).

But they won't be a pushover who just bends to everyone else either... because beyond seeing that they own nothing, they see that no one else owns anything either.