An open-mind starts with humility

I always feel that a humble person is easy to be around. They do not waste time on bragging about what they have, who they are or where they have been. They play down their achievements and are more attentive to other’s needs.

Whereas, the opposite of this is someone who is proud and conceited. Both things are not attractive traits. It really is difficult, for me, to spend a lot of time with someone who is boasting. They are only interested in selling themselves and have no interest in who you are or what you think or know.

I have always found people with pride to also have the biggest egos – and usually, the biggest mouths to go with it. But a humble person is quiet, respectful and attentive. Which one would you rather be around? Or for that matter, which one would you rather be?

Another trait of a proud and conceited person is that they are not open minded and they are not willing to learn from others, as they think they already know everything. Now this is something we have to guard against as we move along our chosen path. If we start to think we are making great progress and we are already better than the people around us, we are going to run up against obstacles, such as pride.

We have to stay open minded. Just because we know a way to do something, it doesn’t mean another person doesn’t know a better or easier way. We shouldn’t assume we know best. A humble person will continue to learn throughout their lives.

Once we become a proud and egotistical person, it is very hard to subdue these emotions. So it is better not to travel down that road in the first place.

We have to also be mindful of people praising us. They maybe flattering you because of your position or they want something. However, it maybe that you are worthy of praise, but be careful, our ego loves to be praised and it may lead to pride if we are not mindful.

So what are the causes of pride? There are many, but two main causes are; dualistic thinking and an inflated sense of self.

When people think in a dualistic way it can stir up pride, because they start thinking I am good and others are bad; I’m handsome, they are ugly; I’m intelligent and they are stupid. It is this type of thinking that causes us to fixate on ‘I am this,’ ‘I am that.’ We start to emphasis the sense of self, which leads us to get attached to who we think we are. Both of these lead to pride and conceit. In the Nipata Sutra Gautama Buddha stated this:

‘By being alert and attentive, he begins to let go of cravings as they arise. But whatever he begins to accomplish, he should beware of inner pride. He must avoid thinking of himself as better than another, or worse or equal, for that is all comparison and emphasises the self’.

In ‘The Thirty-seven Practices of a Bodhisattva’ it advises us how we should act, even if we are rich or famous:

Even when you are famous, honoured by all

And as rich as the god of wealth himself,

Know that success in the world is ephemeral

And don’t let it go to your head – this is the practice of a bodhisattva.

(Translation by Ken McLeod in his book ‘Reflections on Silver River’. A bodhisattva, as explained in this excellent book, is a person who lives and breathes compassion)

So it is clear that humility is a trait we have to work at, or we could find ourselves getting wrapped up in pride. The pride I am talking about here is our over inflated sense of self. It is not the pride we have for our children, loved ones and so on. This pride stems from love and compassion, whereas, our over inflated sense of self type of pride stems from our ego.

Taken from the forthcoming book ‘Life’s Meandering Path’, which is based on thirty-eight principles originally taught by Gautama Buddha, this intriguing read guides audiences on a journey toward personal responsibility and ease of suffering.