Humility is becoming a scarce commodity in today's cold, calculating, and proud society. It is now becoming a forgotten virtue, which often makes me wonder "Why?" In my view, Humility can be manifested in two forms: one being the Internal form of honesty, truth and integrity, i.e. being honest about who we are, and accepting our strenths and weaknesses truthfully; while the second form being the External one, which is associated with how we treat others with respect and dignity. Both Internal and External forms are interdependent, and simply cannot exist independenttly. If that's the case, it can explain why Humility is in short supply.....it's one's lack of honesty and self-respect that germinates her/his lack of respect towards others. Accepting one's own follies with utmost honesty is surely the first step towards humility and getting closer to Supreme Power.

More Quotes by Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate

Sharing a strange experience from my student years at Manchester, England, during late 1970's. I had just arrived in England from India, and was searching for an accommodation, basically a room to rent. I always used to call the English landlords by phnoe first, to ensure that a room was available, and then visit those addresses, located miles away, by taking the bus or a train. Upon my arrival, I was always told that either there was no room at all or that the room was just rented. After a dozen or so such frustrating experiences, it became clear to me that the room was always available - but those English landlords and landladies were reluctant to rent it to someone like me, an Indian or a non-white person. Interestingly, the room was always available to my voice on the phone, because my voice could not reveal either my skin color, or my race, or my national origin. The mystery was thus dispelled, and yet that realization was surely a rude awakening to the true color of English society. It was my first encounter with prejudice and discrimination, and the most shocking moment that shatters one's innocence completely - especially after coming from a noble culture and the best upbringing that takes pride in Equality. I shall always remain thankful to England for the best education that I received during my M.S. and Ph.D., as much as for such exposure to the dark side of the real world. Years later, after coming to America, I realized that America is a whole new wonderful world that welcomes all, and treats everyone with respect and dignity they deserve. God Bless America!