"Chasing in Humility" by MSIH first year blogger Aerin Philip



“The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of truth” – Mahatma Gandhi


My second year mentor who never fails to embody humility

Humility: a virtue in particular that strikes me with the most ephemeral feelings, repeatedly inspiring me to think deeper, reach higher, and retain a positive outlook. It gives me hope. It’s a trait that I believe is not encouraged enough in today’s society. It has the power to bring people of various differences together in harmony, yet only asks one to continually remember their role in context of the grander community (and world). It comprises of a constant reminder of one’s coexistence with the many strangers they pass by throughout the seconds of their life. New meanings are brought about by these connections through humility. In this light, one’s nature continuously fuels the energy to understand all courses of life, those especially that are far different than your own.

I speak of humility because there is a specific association between humility and the beauty I find in living in Israel. One evening I watched the sun fade away from Shabbat in Yafo, Tel Aviv, where I listened to the nightlife beats emerge alongside the ringing melodies of St. Peter’s church bells and the imam’s call to prayer. I remember feeling bewilderment by the coexistence of these vastly different institutions – a coexistence which is fundamental in my understanding of humility. Though I am not Muslim or Jewish, I am amazed by people in Israel who value the importance of recognizing that they are unworthy of the graces they have been gifted in life. I have met people in this country who give thanks for their daily meals, for the arrival of a sun’s reception of a new day, or even for their good health in the previous day [all prayers/greetings that leave me speechless]. This gratitude is not solely encapsulated around their own personal lives:  I have even been personally bestowed with
Photo captured in Yafo, Tel Aviv that night
 blessings for my own successful education despite the limited friendship I may have with them during their short visit to the hospital campus, where I study.This is the heart of why I see beauty in religion – what reinforces my faith in the goodness that can lie deep underneath religious values. Religion provides an avenue for reminding one of your coexistence and encourages your softened heart to find gratitude in others. Truthfully, there is no longer room for your experience, talent, or confidence to ever be perfect because you are never worthy of the community around you.

I am not extremely well versed in every religion, but I believe this hidden message is subliminally central to every faith. My understanding of Orthodox Christianity (my background) draws heavily from the way repeated reaffirmation of humility displays love for people you may not know intimately. I think religion has many flaws – it always will, along with all manifestations of human culture – and is often criticized by misunderstood outsiders and insiders. There are many details that can be fixed, but I also hope we can choose to celebrate the small positive messages that are reticent, and remain, in all faiths. 
Humility is exceptionally powerful when you are introduced to new skills
I had the joy of having His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV, the highest figure in Buddhism, speak at my commencement ceremony at Tulane. This was a pivotal moment for me, as it marked the beginning of my professional career and identity in the world. He spoke of the importance of service toward others, and how a peaceful world is built from the compassion we share in our daily interactions with neighbors, both non-believers and believers of faith. He remarked about the importance of humility: “to pay some attention [to] your inner values. Then the brilliance of your brain and warm-heartedness come together. Your education, your knowledge then becomes constructive.”  As I set my eyes on this global mission when I graduated (I was shortly going to begin Peace Corps immediately after), I took these lessons this world leader was inscribing to us graduates genuinely and thoroughly in my heart. I recognized that in the world of development, I will be immersed in religions, beliefs, practices, traditions, and lifestyles different from the basic understanding I have of the world. This ability to remain humble – to pay attention to your inner values – will augment a comfortable environment for those I am working with, ensuring that I uphold the ‘two-way streets nature’ necessary for positive mentorship. 

To include new people in my scope of the world will require that I harness humility carefully between being an attribute and a flaw, because humility does indeed leave you exposed for challenging occurrences. His Holiness recommends remembering that “there could be more complicated difficulties. [That I] should not – due to small incidents – demoralize”. I should strive continuously for remembering that there is beauty hidden deep with all different walks of life, even to those people who bring a challenging perspective – this is the essence of humility.


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