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“To be humble does not mean that we are ‘less than,’ but that we are ready to accept the possibility that there is some wisdom that we still do not fully possess,” says Tashi Nyima, the preceptor at Universal Compassion Buddhist Congregation in Dallas, Texas. Be a person who embraces opportunities to practice humility. Author and rabbi Joseph Telushkin suggests asking these types of questions of yourself to bring humility into your life:
- Do I respect people whose opinions differ from mine?
- Do I try to better understand those who disagree with me on important issues?
- Do I have the maturity to change my mind on a strongly held position?
- Do I listen to others with the sense I can learn something from them?
- Do I solicit and actively seek out perspectives different from my own?
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Manage Pride the Buddhist Way," Spirituality & Health
- Do I respect people whose opinions differ from mine?
- Do I try to better understand those who disagree with me on important issues?
- Do I have the maturity to change my mind on a strongly held position?
- Do I listen to others with the sense I can learn something from them?
- Do I solicit and actively seek out perspectives different from my own?
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Manage Pride the Buddhist Way," Spirituality & Health
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There is pride that is positive and emotionally healthy that shows up as self-confidence, healthy self-esteem, and awareness and appreciation of one’s accomplishments and achievements. In an article from Tricycle: The Buddhist Review titled “Hang On To Your Ego,” Thanissaro Bhikkhu writes: “If your ego functions are healthy and well-coordinated, they give you a consistent sense of priorities as to which forms of happiness are more worthwhile than others; a clear sense of where your responsibilities do and don’t lie; a strong sense of your ability to judge right and wrong for yourself; and an honest sense of how to learn from your past mistakes.”
On the other hand, there is pride that is emotionally dysfunctional. That form of pride looks like arrogance, inflated self-esteem, and the feeling that one is superior to and more important than others. . . . It can be challenging to assess whether you’re simply a confident person or someone who is arrogant and whose pride is becoming an issue. The subtle grip of pride entering a person’s life was observed by the Seventh Dalai Lama (1708-1757) who wrote: “What is the wild horse that throws one from the mountain one is ascending? Pride, which thinks oneself superior and dwells on one’s own good qualities.”
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Manage Pride the Buddhist Way," Spirituality & Health
On the other hand, there is pride that is emotionally dysfunctional. That form of pride looks like arrogance, inflated self-esteem, and the feeling that one is superior to and more important than others. . . . It can be challenging to assess whether you’re simply a confident person or someone who is arrogant and whose pride is becoming an issue. The subtle grip of pride entering a person’s life was observed by the Seventh Dalai Lama (1708-1757) who wrote: “What is the wild horse that throws one from the mountain one is ascending? Pride, which thinks oneself superior and dwells on one’s own good qualities.”
-Victor M Parachin, "How to Manage Pride the Buddhist Way," Spirituality & Health