The sign of the
Friend of God is that he has these three qualities:
a generosity like that of the ocean,
a compassion like that of the sun,
and a humility like that of the earth. -Bayazid in 'Attar, "Tadhkirat"
'
A humility like that of
the earth.
What is humility? Modesty,
a lack of arrogance, being unassuming are standard definitions.
Perhaps it is something more.
What would it mean to
have a humility like that of the earth?
The Earth - the foundation
of our existence - we cannot escape it but for fleeting
moments. It's our physical anchor and tether, the stability
we construct our homes upon. Most of us don't think
much about the earth as we go about our daily lives.
It's just there, as expected.
The earth is steady, yet
changing and malleable. Hot at the core. Wherever we
are on the planet we rely upon the earth to have certain
durable qualities. It acts and reacts and performs according
to certain principles which cannot be altered. Gravity,
for instance.
There may be floods or
fires or even earthquakes, yet after upheaval stability
inevitably returns.Waters
recede. Ashes fertilize new growth. Dust settles. The
earth's reactions are always a 'long-term view' of today's
traumas.
We walk upon the surface
of the earth. The earth allows us to shove it around
and build things and dig and shovel and bridge and dam...
up to a point, as long as we're not violating those
principles. When we overstep our bounds we are eventually
corrected.
Humility should not be
construed as self-effacement or being walked on or walked
over. The earth is anything but self-effacing - but
it takes the passive route to appreciation. It does
not seek recognition, yet the earth broadcasts its glory
for anyone who looks to see.
If the Friend of God has
humility like that of the earth, his or her stability
feels firm and welcoming to all; principles are the
basis for actions and reactions; passion stirs in his
or her core; insults and affronts are not immediate
cause for action; and natural beauty awaits all who
seek.
Humility like that of the earth. A
sign of the Friend of God.
