Mekikha (ܡܟܝܟܐ)

These are the words I taught concerning Humility, for Humility is the soil in which all virtue grows. Without it, love becomes pride, wisdom becomes arrogance, respect becomes contempt, and honesty becomes cruelty. But with Humility, all things are made gentle, and the Way is made clear.

I say to you: the proud exalt themselves and fall, but the humble bow low and are lifted up.

“Teacher, what is Humility? Is it to despise oneself, or to be always lowly?”

Humility is not self-hatred, nor is it weakness of spirit. It is the right seeing of the self - not greater than others, not less than others, but one among many, each bearing the Breath of Truth.

Humility is knowing your gifts without boasting, and your faults without despair. It is walking in strength without trampling, and in weakness without shame.

Humility is not the bending of the back alone, but the bending of the heart to serve. It is not the silence of fear, but the quietness of one who listens.

There once was a feast where the seats were many. A man came in and sat at the highest place, saying, “I am worthy.” But when the master of the house arrived, he said, “This seat is for another,” and the man was sent down in shame.

Another man came and sat at the lowest place, and the master said, “Friend, come higher.” And he was honored before all.

So it is with Humility: it seeks not the highest seat, yet is raised in due time.

Why walk in Humility? Because pride blinds the eye, but Humility opens it. Pride closes the ear, but Humility listens. Pride hardens the heart, but Humility makes it tender.

Without Humility, there is no learning, for the proud think they know all. Without Humility, there is no peace, for the proud seek always to rule. Without Humility, there is no love, for the proud see only themselves.

Why Humility? Because all are dust, and all return to dust. The king and the beggar share the same end; the wise and the fool lie side by side in the earth. But the deeds of the humble endure, for they are built in kindness, not in boasting.

There once was a tree that grew tall above the forest. It looked down on the others and said, “I am greater.” But when the storm came, it caught the full wind and fell, breaking in two. The smaller trees bent low and rose again when the storm had passed.

So it is with Humility: the proud fall with a crash, but the humble endure.

“Teacher, how shall we live in Humility?”

Walk with awareness of your place in the circle of life. Do not say, “I alone matter,” for you are one among many. Do not say, “I am nothing,” for the Breath of Truth is in you. Say instead, “I am part, and I am needed.”

Serve when you have strength; accept help when you are weak. Give honor to others for their gifts; accept honor for your own without boasting.

In speech, be humble: listen more than you speak, and when you speak, let it be with care. In work, be humble: share the labor, and take joy in the success of others as in your own. In prayer, be humble: speak as a child to a parent, not as a master to a servant.

There once was a farmer who tilled the soil. His neighbor said, “Why do you stoop to the earth each day? You are bowed low.” But the farmer answered, “Because I bow low, the earth gives me bread.”

So it is with Humility: by stooping to serve, you are raised up in life.

I once saw a stream in the hills. It flowed low, between stones and valleys, and all creatures came to drink. Another stream rushed high and proud, flooding fields and drowning seed. The high stream perished in the sun, but the low stream endured.

So it is with Humility: the lowly path gives life, the lofty path destroys.

When shall you practice Humility? At all times, but most of all when pride tempts.

Practice Humility when praised, lest pride take root. Practice Humility when wronged, lest anger consume you. Practice Humility when teaching, lest you forget to learn. Practice Humility when leading, lest you forget to serve.

“Teacher, what if others despise me when I am humble?”

To be despised for Humility is no loss, for the proud despise what they cannot understand. But in due time, Humility is honored, while pride is brought low.

There once was a candle in a great hall. Many lamps burned high, but they sputtered and went out. The small candle burned steadily, giving light through the night.

So it is with Humility: it may seem small, but it endures when the mighty fail.

Walk in Humility, for it is the soil in which all virtue grows.

This is what Humility is: the right seeing of the self.

This is why Humility matters: it opens the heart to learning and love.

This is how Humility is lived: in service, in listening, in gentleness.

This is when Humility is practiced: always, but most of all when pride calls.

Walk in Humility, and you will walk in Truth.