This question has come up a lot while trying to endeavor on a spiritual path— “How do I feel humble, yet maintain my self-esteem?”  This understanding is especially pertinent in a day and age where “self-love” is so widely taught, yet there seems to be more and more people who feel so “entitled”! And at the same time, there are many people who try to take advantage of one another. How do we apply real humility and a healthy sense of self-esteem to our daily lives?

 The most simple answer is: We have value (self-esteem) because we are spirit souls part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, but our natural position (humility) is to be servant of the Supreme.

 First, we must look at the word “self” in “self-esteem”. Most people identify the “self” as his or her “material body”, rather than the “eternal soul” inside the body. When we identify the self as these material bodies and minds,  we can get too hung up on the material body, and thoughts and emotions that go along with it. Having true self-esteem is knowing the true value of you, the soul. This is not to say we don’t take care of our body, let others walk all over us, or can’t communicate our feelings.

 However, people can take “self-esteem” to a whole new level, because they are identifying the “self” as the “body”. People become overly sensitive and easily “offended” because they are identifying too much with his or her mind and body. When we identify as the soul, we can have that deep sense of value, but it is in the right perspective. We don’t act as if we are the Supreme Soul and deserve all the respect in the world. We know our true position is that as a servant. We understand that we need to maintain the body and mind, for the soul purpose of being able to offer service to God.

 Real humility is knowing that as spirit soul, your position is “ loving servant to the Supreme Being.” There is a misconception that humility means to walk around all meek, and tip toe around people. A good example in the Bible of how surrendered souls to God do not always act meek, is when Jesus gets angry and turns over the tables of the merchants. Some people may see this behavior as “not spiritual”, but it is really Jesus doing his “service” for his Father and teaching the merchants a lesson. Sometimes a strong behavior is necessary to get a point across. Jesus remains humble carrying out his Father’s wishes, because he knows he is a servant of God and his actions are that of service. Humility is true surrender to the Supreme and knowing “ I am loving servant.” Service can actually give us a great sense of spiritual strength.

 The more we become “God Conscious” and not “Body Conscious”, these concepts will fall naturally into place. Everything becomes more harmonious when we work together and respect one another as spirit souls, loving servants of the Supreme Lord.

In Western science there are many observations made, and from those observations certain categories are formed (ex: categorization of the animal kingdom). The “yoga science”, or yoga philosophy system, also makes many observations and categorizations— one being the three different modes of material nature. These modes, or qualities (gunas), are broken down into three main categories: Goodness (sattvam), Passion (rajah), and Ignorance (tamah). Even certain foods and activities can be included into one of these categories.

Material nature consists of the three modes- goodness, passion, and ignorance. When the living entity comes in contact with nature, he becomes conditioned by these modes. (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Ch. 14:5)

 Below is a Brief Summary of Each Mode:

 Mode of Ignorance: A good example of the mode of ignorance is a dark, dimly lit bar. Drinking alcohol, and intoxicants are all in the mode of ignorance, because they cover our consciousness, just as darkness covers light. It is the opposite of becoming aware. The root word of ignorance is “Ignore”. We ignore the harm and consequences of our actions. “Ignorance is bliss” is an accurate way to describe this mode! Mushrooms, garlic, onions, intoxicants and eating meat are all in the mode of ignorance.

Mode of Passion: The city is a good example of a place in the mode of passion. Having lots of desires, and hankering for material enjoyment is in the mode of passion. Hankering for honor, a beautiful wife, a house, and children are all in this mode. Being super attached to the fruits of our work is also in this mode. Works done in the mode of passion bring about a lot of distress.  Spicy foods are in the mode of passion.

 Mode of Goodness:  People in the mode of goodness have attained some advancement in material knowledge and are not so affected by material miseries. However, they are still attached to “material happiness.”A good example of the mode of goodness is somewhere rural, out in nature. Activities can include sewing, reading (depends on the book!), surfing, cleaning, and “maintenance”. Eating a plant-based diet is in the mode of goodness. This mode is the ideal platform to begin spiritual practices.

 You, the soul, has nothing to do with the modes of material nature, just as much as you have nothing to do with your temporary material body; however, because you are wearing a material body ATM, you fall under the spell of the three material modes of nature. We are always transitioning from one mode to the next. For example, you may live out on a beautiful farm, in a rural area. If you are not utilizing your time to engage in spiritual activities and uplifting your consciousness, then you may get board. You end up inviting a few friends over, and you have a drinking party! Thus, you fall back into the mode of ignorance. Or you could get board and long to live in a city where there is more mode of passion. You move to the city, and you start to feel the affects of distress, and you wish to move back to the rural area where it is more peaceful. As you can see, you keep cycling from one mode to the next. However, if we engage in spiritual activities starting from the platform of the mode of goodness, we can eventual transcend the three modes through the process of spiritual purification and attain pure goodness or  what is called the vasudev state.