Copyright © 2022 Lee Spirit
Being out in nature is a perfect way to dissolve the egoic mind for practicing humility. In nature, we clear our heads of the endless thoughts swirling around up there! The egoic mind makes up stories that we tend to believe. Such things as worries about future events, or rumination over past events. It may become all consuming, and the silly thing is, it’s only an illusion that our minds create!
When our minds are filled with these stories, we are focused on ourselves much of the time. We tell ourselves how wonderful or how horrible we are, and we believe the things we say about ourselves! As you’ve probably heard before, “we are not our thoughts, we are the conscious awareness behind the thoughts, or the observer of our thoughts”. So we want to get to a calm, neutral space in our minds where we let go of thought, and tap into who we really are. Conscious awareness! It is in this space that we can practice humility, dissolving our egos.
Tricks the Ego Plays On Us
“It’s All About Me”
Other than the ego making up stories that we believe, the ego is sneaky with other tricks too! The ego thinks, “It’s all about me!”, and “I know everything!” Practicing humility shifts our focus to others so that it’s not “all about me”. It also creates a willingness to learn, and not always be right about everything.
“I’m the Best”
Related to a feeling of needing to be right all the time is thinking you’re the greatest gift to all men or women! If you act like it, people will notice that you are a bit arrogant. Recognize it within yourself if you think you’re the smartest, the best, the top employee, or make the most money. It only temporarily makes you feel good about yourself! Humility will know that the Ego is just inflated because deep down, you feel inferior or insecure. When you realize you’re just afraid, or insecure about something, the ego automatically dissolves.
“Pay Attention To Me”
Similarly, the Ego wants more and more attention. Do you seek attention from outside sources like social media? Do you constantly post things as the ego’s way of saying, “Look at me! Look at what I did!” That’s not to say posting a lot on social media is a bad thing. I do it often, with the intent of sharing beauty and inspiring others.
However, I, too, fall into the trap of wanting to be noticed, cared about, and paid attention to. This sort of external validation makes you feel good only for a short while. What really matters is who you are when no one else is watching. What’s important is who you are when there is no one there to “get” something from. That is the truth of your being.
You Are Too This, Too That, or Not Enough
The ego also likes to judge and criticize others as a way of inflating our own sense of worth. Humility asks us to notice when we criticize and judge others because that will tell us what areas we feel insufficient in underneath the surface of our inflated ego. Humility shows us there’s a lot we have to learn. Ego prevents us from learning anything because we think we’re always right, best looking, most educated, and so on. This leaves no room for improvement.
Click Here To Shift the Ego By Stopping Your Overthinking and Finding Your Neutral Mind
Focus on Practicing Humility
Humility is the opposite of ego. Being humble and practising humility, as Jay Shetty describes in his book, “Think Like a Monk”, is releasing the thoughts that our ego creates. It is being modest about our achievements. He learned from the monks that to practice humility, we must remember two things, and forget two things. This really made me stop and think, so I feel it’s worthwhile to share it wth you too:
The two things to remember are:
1. Remember the good that others have done unto you.
2. Remember the bad that you have done unto others.
The two things to forget are:
1. Forget the good that you have done unto others.
2. Forget the bad that others have done unto you.
When you reflect on this, you will realize that humility means not thinking too greatly of yourself and all the good you have done. Do you really need to show off that you donated blood, gave to a charity, or helped out at the Food Bank? You may be telling people to encourage them to do the same, with the intent of inspiring others. That’s okay! But it may also be your ego saying “Look at the good I did for others!” Just be mindful of which it is for you…
Practising humility means letting go of the bad that others have done to you. You forgive, release, and let go. What’s important is remembering what good people have done for you. Be grateful to those people, and keep in mind that you are not perfect. You have not always treated others in a good way. Remember that! Practicing humility is like keeping a balanced mind and heart. It’s understanding that everyone is special…And no one is special.
Steps To Practicing Humility
Volunteer Without Bragging
Sometimes doing volunteer work at a Food Bank can keep us humble. If you have a lot of money and food on the table, try assisting those who don’t and see how it makes you feel less egotistical. Forget about the things you’ve accomplished in your life, and forget your status, while focusing on your own mistakes, or mistreatment of others. Think more about how you can help others in need, without having to brag about it.
Be Aware
Simply being aware of your ego will dissipate its power over you. Awareness is key. Becoming the observer of your incessant thoughts will keep them at bay, and keep you in a more positive state. The ego loves negativity, so the more you are conscious of your thoughts, the less power your negative thoughts have over you. Choose positive responses instead of negative reactions. Also, rather than seeing yourself as a failure, realize how far you’ve come, and accept this as a positive.
Don’t Be Fake
Sometimes being overly positive, or having a fake positivity can lead to being more egotistical. However, you can have confidence without letting your ego get out of hand. When you think you know everything, remember that you are ruled by ego. When you understand that everyone and everything is your teacher, you are practicing humility.
How To Practice Humility in Nature
Observe the Changes in Nature
Nature is a beautiful teacher. The sun still shines through the clouds, and the wind blows gentle and harsh breezes; The waves and river ebb and flow, and the lake freezes and melts; Notice that in East Sooke in my photo above, the evening waves are calm, while at other times, the waves are crashing against the rocks; Leaves change colour, fall off, and die; The sun rises and sets, and the moon goes through phases.
If we observe these changes in nature, we can better accept the changes, and can handle the big and little deaths that occur in our own lives. We can withstand the elements, the ups and downs, and know that all things will balance and stabilize again.
Mother Nature Keeps Us Humble
At this time, some big hurricanes are happening in Eastern Canada and over much of Florida. It keeps us humble to think of the power of Mother Nature. She is healing and destructive, and then healing again, just like we go through a birth, death, and rebirth. When our egos take hold and we think we can control everything, Mother Nature will show us otherwise.
I hope you will take this lesson in humility and carry it into your days. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and being willing to learn is a good start to shutting your ego down. A shift from ego to humility isn’t always easy, but with practice, you will learn to be modest about your achievements, and shift your focus from self to others.
Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. She helps those who suffer from anxiety & negative thinking to become healthier in mind-body-spirit. Her own personal journey has led her to the study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Get mindfulness, meditation, and personal development tips in her Free Natural Mind Healing Report.