EDITORIAL : THE DAILY MIRROR, SRILANKA

The power of gentleness and humility

Living in a harsh and competitive world, the virtues of gentleness and humility may seem obsolete if not nonsensical to us. But what we need to discover, is the power that lies buried within these virtues. To some it’s revealed in lesser degrees, to others in greater. All we need to do is to make that decision to look at it impartially. Not being averse to it would open a pathway to self fulfillment and freedom. Though gentleness and humility are great virtues very few want to nurture them. Living in this self-centered world, we may not even want to be educated in these virtues. We may not like them or agree with them, especially when we talk of the dignity of the human person who suffers humiliation. Yet, only people who have suffered humiliation, value and appreciate dignity more. For, dignity is born out of humility. This is the power or energy we seek, that lies buried within; for the dignity of all peoples. Such become the strong and courageous, who could afford to be gentle and humble. The morally weak, often resort to pride and aggressiveness. Mahatma Gandhi became a great leader for India and an icon, for non-violent social action for the world, through humility and sometimes humiliation. He was thrown out of a train in South Africa, during the apartheid era. That and other humiliating experiences prepared him to lead India against the British colonialists and through the power of non violence, he toppled the most powerful empire the world has ever known. South Africa’s legendary Nelson Mandela received empowerment through his humiliating experiences, having been in prison for more than 20 years. He eschewed violence and opted for peaceful methods to bring about the emancipation of his oppressed people. Corrie-Ten-Boon was humiliated by having to walk naked pass German soldiers during the Nazi era. She was transformed through experiences in the concentration camp, to begin a reconciliation movement, between the Jews and Germans after the world war. Worldly values are just the opposite they propagate pride and aggressiveness. Pride prevents us from social involvement. Even if we do get involved, it could be for the wrong reasons. It could be done to boost our own egos, thus negating the good. Then again, pride hides behind our non- involvement or silence in the face of injustice, lest we be ridiculed or humiliated. All of us are a far cry from humility. Pride is destroying us without our knowledge. Look at our pride for wanting only the most popular schools for our children and not the least bothered about our neighbours or of desiring to upgrade lesser known ones. Then again, look at our pride of wanting the most competitive and vulgar display of extravagant wedding celebrations. Those who resort to such extravagance will  not survive long. Happiness deserts them and despair becomes their reward.  For does not pride go before a fall? History shows every empire or kingdom was built by strong men, upon strong ones, who reflected aggressiveness, but none has lasted. Is it not leaders who reflected gentleness, like the Lord Buddha or the Lord Jesus, who have their teachings and adherents lasting for a all time? Our nation, to be vibrant and strong, should propagate or glorify not the aggressiveness of armed might, but gentleness.