The Claim of Prophethood, and Repentance

I had a friend who, in a small gathering, claimed prophethood. The claim shook me — not out of judgment, but out of concern.

The event became a mirror for me. In that friend’s mirror, I saw something of myself: the spiritual ego. The desire to be seen as special, different, chosen. That desire lives within all of us, in different forms.

From that day, I made a vow to myself: I will never make any special claim. I am not a prophet, not a saint, not a master. I am only an ordinary human being who is trying to know God and to be grateful. Nothing more.

I have many mistakes. Sometimes I grow sharp, sometimes inattentive, sometimes judgmental. But these very mistakes are part of my being human.

I ask forgiveness of all those who may have been hurt, in the past, by my words or actions. This repentance is not a ceremony, but a tone — a tone I shall try, from now on, to live by.

The spiritual ego is the most dangerous ego, for it hides itself in the clothes of God.

O God, protect me from this danger.