S
Letting humility blossom.
By Andres Aguila
“Through my humility, I become an open channel to be used by the Most High for purposes beyond my limited perspective.” The Revolution Manual Volume 1
What is a weed? I suppose a weed is anything that grows in a place where it is unwanted. Each gardener or farmer has his or her own perspective on what is considered to be a weed. Here in our gardens in Costa Rica, I often pull out weeds in the form of baby mango, papaya, or even avocado trees, in addition to hundreds of other species of plants. In the U.S. many people consider beautiful edible plants with cute yellow flowers, called dandelions, weeds.
In the garden of the soul, each person has the opportunity to decide what to cultivate and what to uproot. Though the choice is given to each of us, many do not take responsibility to actively tend their garden. Just as a neglected flower or vegetable plot will ultimately become filled with strong and persistent “weeds,” so will the soul of a human if not actively cultivated. The Genesis story of creation states that humans were created and placed in a garden, and that after the choice of disobedience, the labor of tending the garden became more difficult. I believe this story parallels the story of our own hearts.
For many years I did not even realize my heart was a garden, and certainly had not a clue that tending needed to be done. The weeds of arrogance and insecurity grew stronger and stronger, along with many offshoots of greed, lust, rage and a plethora of other bitter fruits. While these bitter plants engulfed my soul garden, my judgments of others multiplied into a border hedge, which kept true intimacy with others impossible. Though at one point, I did bow my knee in humble admission of my need for God and for the Messiah, the same hedge of arrogance and judgment hindered intimacy with my creator as well.
It seems that much of modern society is somewhat, or completely, unaware of the need to cultivate to the soul garden. Still others are, perhaps, aware of the need, but are unaware of how to do so. I have found that the first step in the process is humility. I must admit my need for God. I must admit my need for the melting of the ego into oneness with God. When I decided to embark upon the journey of humility, I realized it would be difficult, and yet I chose, and continue to choose that path. I continually find that the fruits are well worth the labor.
Modern society seems to be built upon the opposite principle, which is pride. There is even a popular slogan in the U.S…”American Pride.” Although I do believe that it is good to do our work to the best of our ability, however, I believe it is wasteful to build any self-acceptance or self-worth upon our own accomplishments or status.
The fad of titles has swept society like a title wave, and people appear very impressed. I am not impressed. Doctor, judge, professor, senator, etc. Many people appear to want those names in front of their own names in order to gain respect or admiration from others. I also find it funny how common it has become to place letters after a name on a business card or email tag. “Bob Pinkowitz FRD, CPA, PHD, LDUR…” Whatever those mean. I remember meeting a guy years ago at a business that told me he was the “Controller” of the business. I kept from laughing out loud, but walked away quite amused. (OK, I’ve got to be careful here not to judge.) I have certainly had to deal with issues of control in my own life, and continue to expose them as they come up. Though I believe that there is a tremendous amount of ego attached to the titles, I do also realize that there are business-marketing reasons for them, and I do not suppose to exalt myself above anyone using titles for their own reasons. I am just seeking balance here.
Yahshua* stated quite clearly to those who choose to follow him, “Do not ever let anyone call you ‘rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on Earth as ‘father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘master’, for there is only one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” If we modernize the language a little bit, we could say that the terms “rabbi, father, and master” could be translated to include: “pastor, reverend, apostle, deacon, bishop, cardinal, or pope”…and yet…a vast majority of Christians use such terms to describe the leaders of their organizations. This seems so weird to me… really weird.
In twenty years of being a follower of Christ, I have only met one head pastor of an “organized church” who told his congregation to just use his first name and to not call him “Pastor.” Is he the only one who read those words in the Bible? Incidentally, he was also the most humble “organized” pastor I ever met. He said often stated that he wouldn’t call me “Artist,” so why should I call him “Pastor.” He said that he knows he is a pastor and does not need people to call him that to affirm his responsibility to shepherd and to serve people.
I believe that there is a very unhealthy structure in the organized church. The church has been divided into the “professionals” and the “lay people.” “Lay people…?” That term is hilarious. Some types of denominations actually use that term. Ironically enough, none of the first 12 disciples that hung out with Yahshua in the flesh were “professional” religious folks. They were just regular “sinners” or “laymen.” A big part of Yahshua’s ministry (service) here on Earth was to break down the religious walls of pride and arrogance that held many people in bondage and control by the “professionals.” So, of course, the religious and political leaders decided to make the new religion called “Christianity…” and control people in the name of Christ. Whoops.
Now, I am not saying that all that has been done in the name of Christ is bad or wrong, or that everything in the organized church is evil. I am saying that the path of following Christ has gotten confused and twisted and has become way too professional. There are many spots and wrinkles that must be washed and ironed out. I am saying that it is time we humble ourselves, consider letting go of our titles, our professional spiritual résumés, and our silly egoistic “demands” for respect by others so that the true power and love of Christ may consume us.
Again, each of us must choose what we will believe, what and who we will follow, and to what degree we will follow. I choose to go all the way with my faith, which means exposing every tiny detail of the ego. For me it means there is no room to hold onto arrogance or defensiveness…neither defensiveness for my own actions, nor the actions of the organized church. So, I now officially apologize to anyone and everyone who has been hurt, judged, or condemned due to arrogance of Christians or Christianity. Please forgive me. Please forgive Christians. That was not and is not the message of the Christ. Christ is pure love.
We have a lot of work to do in our soul gardens in order to see true positive change on this beautiful planet. Rather than whining or complaining about the work – or ignoring the work all together – we can choose to enjoy and embrace the opportunity to learn and experience this incredible farming journey.
If you are interested in reading more about what Yahshua thought about and said to the religious hypocrites, read chapter 23 of Mathew in the Bible…He really lays into them, calling out their inconsistencies and hypocrisy.
I am thinking about making some business cards to hand out to people, to help keep me humble and which describe me…
Andres Aguila
Peasant Farmer
DIGS, IN, POOP
*Yahshua is the original Hebrew name of the Messiah, now commonly referred to in English as Jesus.
Who are you? What is your purpose?
What are you going to do about it?
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Andres and his wife, Zahrah facilitate internships, empowerment counseling, and natural healing on a beautiful organic farm in Costa Rica. For more information about Awakening Soul; the vision of living in community; and for free downloads of Awakening Soul music, books, and other articles, visit:
www.Awakening-Soul.org also find us on facebook or email - 1AwakeningSoul@gmail.com_
About Us
The teaching philosophy at Awakening Soul is that we are all students. Staff members enjoy daily opportunities to learn from interns and children, as well as to share in the teaching process. At Awakening Soul, everyone is an intern and the lines between “student” and “teacher” are in many areas, purposely indistinct. 
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