An Open Letter to Humility

During the heated May 11, 2022 Philippine Presidential Election. Some friends accused me as someone who has no humility or has less of it.  This is my response to that claim. 

https://www.conniehertz.com/what-does-humility-mean-to-you/

A humble person will not demand respect and seek humility from anyone. You claim that I don’t have humility because I criticized you as someone with no spiritual vision or insight. I wrote this article to explain the what I believe is error in your assertion. 

 

My conceit is my own burden. I feel its weight more than ever now when you questioned the status of my humility. But although I may lack humility, I do have honesty and directness, which do not inevitably make me arrogant or bereft of it. Even the most spiritually advance people are plain and honest. However, it is irrelevant whether I am humble or not when I call you silly and lacking in spiritual knowledge because of your political views. I'm not a blatantly humble person, and I don't consider myself any more deserving of respect than a street rag. However, the true question at hand is whether you are a fool or not for selecting a political leader who, in my opinion, is the most crooked among the candidates. My humility has got nothing to do with it. My criticism is based on my understanding that a real devotee is an expert and has a spiritual vision; he cannot easily be fooled by anyone, especially by a crooked politician. If you couldn't pick the correct candidate for a political race, how can you pose as someone with spiritual knowledge or vision? You cannot separate your political view from your spirituality or religion. Politics can reveal one's religiosity or spiritual status.

My criticism is motivated by compassion for the people and contempt at once again having a crooked leader. What motivates you to select a candidate who, in my opinion, is the incorrect one? Political favors? Political patronage? Partisanship? Sweet words of a charismatic politician? 

 

Despite my interest in politics, I am apolitical. I am not a believer in the many nonsense political biases and practices. I don't trust politicians and don't belong to any political party. Scripture's command is to "never trust politicians," and according to my Guru, "Partisanship is the greatest enemy of mankind." I am my Guru's follower and not of any politician. We are both students of the same spiritual teacher, so you should be too.

 

"My country/party right or wrong." this aphorism of a partisan fanatic is dangerous and insane. Political identity, racism, partisanship, extremist nationalism, sectarianism, These are some of the many names of the greatest adversary of mankind.

 

I do trust and respect others, but not as I trust and respect those whom I deemed are worthy of my trust and respect. I respect everyone but it doesn't mean that I trust them. Respect and trust are not the same. 

Humility is the mother of all virtue. Humility is a virtue that we must have. It's not something we should expect or demand from other people. You questioned my humility because I criticized you. And instead of criticizing yourself, ask yourself whether what I am saying is wrong or right, you criticized me by questioning my humility. My lack of humility is my problem not yours. We are taught to have humility, and we're never told to demand it from others. Clearly, you are lacking of humility also. Like me, you are not humble or meek. Don't demand nor expect from me that which clearly you yourself don't have.

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