It is difficult to fill a cup that is already full.

-Pit (performed by CCH Pounder) in
Avatar (2009).

Neytiri’s mother in James Cameron’s Avatar, Mo’at, is the Tsahik (Just, shaman or spiritual teacher) of the Omaticaya clan (the Na’vi). In the quote above upon meeting him in avatar form, she notes, as do others in the clan, the arrogant and arrogant pride in Sam Worthington’s character, Jake Sully. And this is essential.

Human pride of conquest and Na’vi humility are divergently central to the plot of Avatar.

So it’s fascinating how this movie turns the viewer against their own kind, the human race, by virtue of the fact that arrogant, ignorant pride is disgusting everywhere. We simply cannot bear to see someone whose cup overflows in selfish conquest; the know-it-all’s inability to learn; the arrogance of my-way-or-the-highway.

Normally we would expect to see the phrase ‘the cup overflows’ slandered in the opposite gender, that of the spiritual phenomenon of being filled internally, although of external origin, that is, not of ourselves, but of God: the inspiration of the Spirit.

the plot of Avatar It effectively remedies Jake Sully’s character problems as he shows that his cup has room to be filled with the traditions, skills, and practices of the Na’vi. Learning is central.

And so it is a key principle of spiritually humble living: that ability to learn. Jake’s interest in the Na’vi was at the heart of it. He has an unprecedented heart. It’s enough to ensure your ‘madness [of spiritual pride] could be cured.

And the fact that a large majority would like to deny is this:

We naturally gravitate towards the spiritual when our positive emotions[1] they are typed. And we are creatures of emotion. This can definitely be said because our whole world senses emotions, looks at the things we adore. Everyone loves something/s.

The Na’vi (according to indigenous tradition) are incredibly spiritual and share a connection that is difficult to describe. The sehalo ties they establish with Pandora’s creatures and environment prove this connection, a connection that implies interdependence that is, the rejection of the overflowing cup due to sinful pride.

It is interdependence that defines our unity, our teamwork; our collective contributions to the whole, which is greater than than the sum of its individual parts.

The spiritual principle of Avatar It is one of the basic principles of life. To the uninitiated it presents a pride-humility continuum, a daunting paradox.

When our cup overflows, a vast world of difference is created, because at one end of the scale we can be hated; in the other, admired, separated and honored. One extreme, pride; the other, humility. At one extreme, there is nothing to learn, we know everything. On the other hand, something can be learned everywhere, in every situation.
Who couldn’t just admire this last, most humble person, the apprentice?

The character trait of humility – to learn, to aspire, to achieve, to honor – is inherent in indigenous peoples around the world and is admired by all because of the code of life it represents.

© 2009 SJ Wickham.

[1] By ‘positive emotions’ I mean those devoid of selfishness.