12 STEPS TO HUMILITY ACCORDING TO SAINT BENEDICT OF NURSIA

 ST. BENEDICTS TWELVE STEPS TO HUMILITY

(1) Respect God: The first degree of humility, then, is that a person keep the fear of God before his eyes and beware of ever forgetting itAs for self-will, we are forbidden to do our own will by the Scripture, which says to us, Turn away from your own will (Eccles. 18:30), and likewise by the prayer in which we ask God that His will be done in us.

(2) Love not ones own will: The second degree of humility is that a person love not his own will nor take pleasure in satisfying his desires, but model his actions on the saying of the Lord, I have come not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me (John 6:38). It is written also, Self-will has its punishment, but constraint wins a crown.

(3) Submit to ones superior: The third degree of humility is that a person for love of God submit himself to his Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says, He became obedient even unto death.

(4) Be obedient at all times, especially in difficult situations: The fourth degree of humility is that he hold fast to patience with a silent mind when in this obedience he meets with difficulties and contradictions and even any kind of injustice, enduring all without growing weary or running away. For the Scripture says, The one who perseveres to the end, is the one who shall be saved (Matt. 10:22); and again Let your heart take courage, and wait for the Lord (Ps. 6[27]:14)!

(5) Be transparent: The fifth degree of humility is that he hide from his Abbot none of the evil thoughts that enter his heart or the sins committed in secret, but that he humbly confess them. The Scripture urges us to this when it says, Reveal your way to the Lord and hope in Him (Ps. 36:5) and again, Confess to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever (Ps. 105[106]:1).

(6) Be content with lowly and menial jobs: The sixth degree of humility is that a monk be content with the poorest and worst of everything, and that in every occupation assigned him he consider himself a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet, I am brought to nothing and I am without understanding; I have become as a beast of burden before You, and I am always with You (Ps:22-23).

(7) Have a correct, but lowly estimation of self: The seventh degree of humility is that he consider himself lower and of less account than anyone else, and this not only in verbal protestation but also with the most heartfelt inner conviction, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet,  But I am a worm and no man, the scorn of men and the outcast of the people (Ps. 21[22]:7). After being exalted, I have been humbled and covered with confusion (Pa. 87:16). 

(8) Stay within the boundaries of the organization and role: The eighth degree of humility is that a monk do nothing except what is commended by the common Rule of the monastery and the example of the elders.

(9) Control ones tongue: The ninth degree of humility is that a monk restrain his tongue and keep silence, not speaking until he is questioned. For the Scripture shows that in much speaking there is no escape from sin It is good for me that You have humbled me, that I may learn Your commandments (Ps. 118[119]:71,73). (Prov. 10:19) and that the talkative man is not stable on the earth (Ps. 13[14]9:12).

(10) Avoid frivolity: The tenth degree of humility is that he be not ready and quick to laugh, for it is written, The fool lifts up his voice in laughter (Eccles. 21:23).

(11) Speak clearly and plainly: The eleventh degree of humility is that when a monk speaks he do so gently and without laughter, humbly and seriously, in few and sensible words, and that he be not noisy in his speech. It is written, A wise man is known by the fewness of his words (Sextus, Enchiridion, 134 or 145). 

(12) Adopt a humble posture: The twelfth degree of humility is that a monk not only have humility in his heart but also by his very appearance make it always manifest to those who see him. That is to say that whether he is at the Work of God, in the oratory, in the monastery, in the garden, on the road, in the fields or anywhere else, and whether sitting, walking or standing, he should always have his head bowed and his eyes toward the ground.

It is important to note that Benedicts steps start with the heart and ends with a posture that communicates humility. His twelve steps describe a process of personal conversion that leads from interior motive to outward behavior (from axiology to praxis). Benedict makes it clear that leadership conversion starts with having the fear of God. 

ST. BENEDICTS TWELVE STEPS TO HUMILITY AND QUALITATIVE LEADERSHIP

What would Benedicts twelve steps of humility look like if it was written today? 

(a) Revere the simple rules: Humble leaders strive to obey and follow the basic rules of courtesy and the organization. They model good behavior to those around them.

(b) Reject your personal desires: Humble leaders curb their own desires for fame and achievement, ever aware of the possibilities of pride and arrogance.

(c) Obey others: Humble leaders readily follow and obey those placed over them in positions of authority.

(d) Endure affliction: Humble leaders willingly turn the other cheek in situations of conflict and work towards peace and harmony.

(e) Confess your weaknesses: Humble leaders are honest and transparent about their own limitations and weaknesses. They communicate these regularly to those that follow them.

(f) Practice contentment: Humble leaders try to be content in their current positions, jobs and general situation in life.

(g) Learn self reproach: Humble leaders adopt the disciplines of internal reflection and do not seek to place the blame on others.

(h) Obey the common rule: Humble leaders obey all the organizational rules, not just in letter, but also in spirit

(i) Understand that silence is golden: Humble leaders control their speech and adopt plain and clear avenues of communication.

(j) Meditate on humility: Humble leaders consciously seek to cultivate humility and seek to understand what this means in an organizational setting.

(k) Speak simply: Humble leaders talk in a low voice, speak gently, and with kindness to everyone in the organization.

(l) Act humbly in appearance: Humble leaders act humble in appearance as well as in the heart. 

Edited by Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa