Being Humble vs Being Pretentious

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by MariconesUnited

Interesting. What do they mean?

Not sure if they mean anything special, unless my memory is failing me. Usually in Hindu mythology, all Gods have their favorite colors, weapons, dresses etc. It's like a signature.

[Albalida]

Humility can be pretentious. Those who over-apologize and self-flagellate, won't recognize their own possible contributions and get really annoying after a while. Their negativity can really bring people down.

I'd prefer realism and sincerity. Realism means you're humble enough to take in both criticism and praise from others, rather than stubbornly living in your own bubble of denial (whether it's denial of your goodness or denial of your badness). Realism is also recognition of something well done. Sincerity in all that, whether you truly believe you've done something great or truly believe you've done something horrible and must apologize, seems to me the best way to grow. Pretensions are designed to fail, because there's neither realism or sincerity behind it.

[Criseyde]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

Not sure if they mean anything special, unless my memory is failing me. Usually in Hindu mythology, all Gods have their favorite colors, weapons, dresses etc. It's like a signature.

I thought Krishna used his flute to woo the gopis, and the gopis are basically devotion embodied, so the flute is the call of the divine, right?

As to the peacock feather -- perhaps it symbolizes the third eye. I just made that up though. I can't even remember if Vishnu has a third eye -- I know Shiva does. I'm a terrible Hindu.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I thought Krishna used his flute to woo the gopis, and the gopis are basically devotion embodied, so the flute is the call of the divine, right?

As to the peacock feather -- perhaps it symbolizes the third eye. I just made that up though. I can't even remember if Vishnu has a third eye -- I know Shiva does. I'm a terrible Hindu.

Oh yes, of course. Flute is for that. I don't remember the significance of the feather. I am not very good with those basics, need to read them again.

Vishnu does not have a third eye. But he did have 10 avatars, one of them was Krishna.

[Issa]

Most of the discussion here is whether we should be humble or not- the question was- given that a good balance of humility and hubris is beneficial- what is the most effective.

Everyone is different and everyone is surrounded by different people, your question is "what is the best balance for my surroundings" it's not a philosophical question... The answer as some people have noted- it's a hit and miss, they used to be one way, found it ineffective and tried another... There is no way of knowing what is the correct balance for your life- it could be that your boss or partner wont respond well to my balance - in fact, that is most probable

If the question was philosophical- it would have to be worded "why am I humble or how do I become humble... Each religion and philosophy will give there own answer, though from what I can understand, the general concencus is: you know yourself, you know what you are potentially capable of and you are slacking off.. Not only are you not better than those around you, in some ways you are perhaps beneath them as they haven't been given the opportunities you have.