Humility Then vs. Now: A Journey Through Spirituality

If you read John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, or most mystics from that era, you’ll notice something striking: They didn’t just value humility; they actively asked for it.

Julian of Norwich had three spiritual wishes. One of them was to be gravely ill, approaching death’s door, just to see God more clearly. And that actually happened. John of the Cross openly writes about asking God for things to go wrong, for hardships to come his way, to bring him back down to size, to deflate his sense of self-importance.

Now, it’s hard for us to wrap our heads around this today. Some of that’s just the medieval worldview, sure. But this mindset stands in stark contrast to our current perspectives.

Modern Spirituality vs. the Mystics

14th-century English mystic, Julian of Norwich

Consider modern Christianity, or even broader self-help and new age movements. It often revolves around “manifesting abundance,” “thinking positive thoughts,” and “attracting wealth, health, success, and love.” The law of attraction, the secret, vision boards—it's all about: “How do I get what I want?” “How do I make life work for me?”

The mystics, however, were saying: “Actually, God… don’t give me what I want.” “Please strip away everything that builds my ego.” “Make me humble.” This is the complete opposite of the current cultural narrative. When you sit with it, it’s wild. In this modern world, the idea of not getting what we want sounds like failure. But to the mystics, it was the only way to get closer to what truly matters.

Dear Universe… Please Ruin My Life?

You can’t imagine someone today sitting down with a vision board and saying:

“Dear Universe, I am now CEO of a multi-million-dollar company. I have a beautiful wife. Everything is going great. I’m winning in all areas of life. And… that’s a problem.” “Please make my business collapse. Let my wife have an affair with my best friend. Afflict me with a disfiguring illness. #Blessed.”

It’s absurd. But that’s exactly the kind of thing the mystics were willing to ask for. To them, what inflated the ego was dangerous. What brought them low? That was the door to God.

How This Applies to Us

Now, I’m not saying I wish for illness or tragedy in my own life. That’s not something I’m praying for. But here’s the thing: life is going to humble us anyway.

Whether we like it or not, things will go wrong. A business might fail. Someone we love might die. Our appendix might burst. We get sick. We lose something or someone. That’s just how life is set up; it’s not here to please us.

So when these things happen, we can either resist and resent them, or we can recognise them as reminders. As invitations. To step out of the illusion of control and reconnect with something bigger than our personal dramas.

Hildegard of Bingen

You’re Not Special (But You Are Loved)

Here’s the truth I keep coming back to:

My value doesn’t come from being Ewan Nicholson, the separate individual. It comes from my connection to the Divine. To what is eternal. To love. To presence. To stillness.

Whenever I start believing that I’m important on my own terms, how many likes, how many views, how many compliments, I will be humbled. Because this self I’m trying to defend, this identity I’m trying to build up… it’s passing. It will die.

As the Catholic mystic Thomas Merton once said, when someone asked him what heaven would be like: “Whatever it’s like, there won’t be much of you there.”

And that hits. It reminds me: I’m not meant to cling to this small “me.” I’m meant to remember my place in something larger, deeper, and more loving.

The Power of Humility in Modern Life

Humility is often misunderstood in our fast-paced world. Many equate it with weakness or submission. However, true humility is empowering. It allows us to embrace our imperfections and acknowledge our limitations.

In a society that constantly pushes us to achieve more, humility can be a breath of fresh air. It encourages us to let go of the relentless pursuit of status and success. Instead, we can focus on what truly matters: our relationships, our well-being, and our connection to the Divine.

Embracing Vulnerability

Vulnerability is a crucial aspect of humility. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open the door to authentic connections. We become more relatable and approachable. This can lead to deeper relationships and a greater sense of community.

In contrast, when we hide behind our achievements and personas, we create barriers. These barriers isolate us and prevent us from experiencing the richness of human connection. Embracing vulnerability can be a powerful step towards a more fulfilling life.

Finding Peace in Acceptance

Acceptance is another vital component of humility. Life is unpredictable, and we cannot control everything. By accepting this reality, we can find peace amidst chaos.

When we stop fighting against the inevitable challenges, we can focus on what we can control: our reactions and attitudes. This shift in perspective can lead to a more serene and content life.

Final Thoughts

Reading these mystics is refreshing. It helps me snap out of the cultural noise that tells me to keep chasing more.

It reminds me that humility isn’t about shame; it’s about freedom. Freedom from the exhausting job of proving I matter. Freedom to rest in the love that doesn’t change. Freedom to remember that God, love, stillness, whatever you want to call it, is what really counts.

Take care,

Ewan