Try Being Humble, Really Humble
Table of contents for The Practice of Having an Open Mind
The psychology of humility is very very interesting to me. C.S. Lewis wrote about it at length in his Screwtape Letters (1942). It is a fictional set of letters between a senior uncle and junior nephew demon. The uncle teaches the demon how to be better at screwing up peoples’ lives. One thing he coaches him to attack on is the area of humility and it is too funny how the advice rings true to an often-self-important fellow like me.
On prayers, Chapter 3:
“It is, no doubt, impossible to prevent his praying for his mother, but we have means of rendering the prayers innocuous. Make sure they are always very ’spiritual’, that he is always concerned with the state of her soul and never with her rheumatism.”
The guy praying for his mother thinks he is praying for her, but he is really being selfish. This can translate into non-spiritual psychology when we think we are being humble but really just becoming self-martyrs. Lewis’ book is short but full of wise insight into humility, spiritual and psychological. I recommend reading it.
People everywhere these days are consumed with themselves. I am no exception. We are always worried about how we will feel next. I have found that when we are truly humble, we complain less. We also are liked more by others. Just like in the quote above, if we think more about meeting other peoples’ needs instead of finger pointing, blaming, and dwelling on how they have wronged us, we will be happier people and better at what we do. At the very least you are guaranteed an open mind. Try thinking of others tomorrow before yourself. Heck, start today. Imagine yourself in discount home theater seating and the show is you starring in the Oscar winning show called “Your Life.”
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An Educator's Life
wrote,
Try Being Humble, Really Humble
Link | July 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely
wrote,
Try Being Humble, Really Humble
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
timethief
wrote,
Your point is a good one. Without doubt we could all use a large does of humility. And meeting needs is superior to finger pointing. However, I found your choice of C.S. Lewis to be immediately off-putting. He’s always used by Evangelical Christians who emphasize the fact that he was an atheist who became a convert. And I have an extensive bible school and divinity school education in exegesis and hermeneutics.
I have gone the exact opposite direction and am far better off for having done so. My reward for cutting off the Evangelical Christan fetters is an open mind, healthy self esteem and the ability to meditate.
For two decades now I have been taking great delight in living a life that’s not burdened with the fear and guilt based religious propaganda I was brainwashed with. I no longer pray. Instead I reach stillpoint and experience pure consciousness.
I hope you won’t take my honest response as an insult. It’s certainly not meant to be. Your are a fine writer and I’m simply sharing with you what comes straight from my heart.
Best wishes, TT
timethiefs last blog post..How to Become a Better Blogger 4: Essentials
Link | July 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Damien Riley
wrote,
That’s a great comment. Sometimes I live in a bubble. I knew CS was sort of a loaded example, but that book is to me such a great example of the psychology of selfishness we humans sometimes fall into.
However we find stillness in our 80 years or so is irrelevant, it’s just that we ought to look for it. It sounds like you have. Good for you. Try to see all good points as separated from their connotation, as is the case with CS Lewis.
And thanks for saying I am a good writer! You are very kind.
Link | July 25th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
timethief
wrote,
Ahhh … here I am again. I think I protested too much so I came back to say if you’d like to remove my C.S. Lewis rant I’ll write another comment and leave my emotional baggage out of it. lol … too late :) Obviously I could use a large draft of humility. You are a fine writer and you make me think — damn you. Best wishes Damien. :)
timethiefs last blog post..How to Become a Better Blogger 4: Essentials
Link | July 26th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Damien Riley
wrote,
Open Mindedness exhibited here in this comment folks ;) Thanks Time Thief.
Link | July 26th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Calm, Cool, and Collected at Work
wrote,
[...] Calm, Cool, and Collected to Get Ahead? If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe via -or- It’s probably overly judgmental of me to note but: don’t you think there are too many frantic, fake people in the workplace? I run across people every day it seems who have a face for you and probably go home revealing another. Why can’t people be themselves? In my career I have learned that being frantic and putting a happy face only gets you so far. Why not try being quieter and more of a listener? If you blog for a side or full career as I do, an example might be reading blogs of friends you have been neglecting. Your “grandiose” product will wait. ;) Success at work can come through humility. [...]
Link | August 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm