What is humility?

To be humble is simply to be honest.

The nature of the false ego (ahaṅkāra) is to think:
I am the controller, I am the proprietor, I am the enjoyer.
With this misconception, we’re looking for happiness but actually, this misconception is the very cause of suffering.

Whoever we are, whatever we have, or whatever we can do – there are always forces infinitely greater than our own.

Whether one lives simply or whether we are millionaires or billionaires or heads of state, whether educated or uneducated, powerful or ordinary – situations come to us that are beyond our control.

Srila Prabhupada taught that whatever we have is entrusted to us by God. Nothing is ours.

“I am the strength of the strong, the intelligence of the intelligent, the ability in all beings.”

Our ability to think, to speak, to breathe – even our relationships with our loved ones – are all gifts from a higher power.

To recognize this is to be honest.

To live by it is humility.

True humility is not theoretical, it is expressed in how we live. There are those who may hold great wealth or influence, yet remain deeply humble because they genuinely understand:

“Whatever I have has been given by God, to be used for the good of others.”

Even when serving others, they do not take credit. They see clearly:

• The resources came from God.
• The ability came from God.
• Even the compassion came from God.

So, all I can do is be grateful and humble.

The danger of false pride

The great Queen Kunti offered a prayer. She explains that the very things people aspire for – wealth, knowledge, beauty, fame – can become disqualifications for spiritual life.

Why?

Because they often lead to pride. People look for happiness in these things. But in the material world, when we have them, the tendency is to become arrogant. To think that ‘I have more than others.’ We become envious of those who have more, and condescending toward those who have less.

In that state, we cannot sincerely call out God’s names with feeling.

We cannot truly take shelter of grace.

And yet, the same scriptures describe great kings and queens – possessing immense wealth and power – who were more humble than grass. So the issue is not what we have. It is how we see it.

When we are grateful for the gifts of God, we are naturally humble. When we have gratitude, we’re happy with what we have and we’re happy with who we are.

Without this humility, we’re always expecting something else.

– His Holiness Radhanath Swami