We often experience feelings of envy, jealousy and even hatred with people who have something more than us. Our friend might have more marks than us in an examination, or someone might be wealthier, famous or better looking than us. Immediately our minds start comparing with them and we end up feeling miserable with whatever we are or have. This video is Gurumaaji’s response to a question from a seeker about jealousy and how to overcome it.
Gurumaaji gives three simple and practical suggestions to overcome jealousy. It is important to overcome negative tendencies not control or suppress it. If we suppress our feelings, they only grow stronger and erupt as hatred. First and foremost, we need to stop comparing ourselves with others. Every human being is unique and special in his or her own way.  So comparison becomes meaningless. Parents often tend to compare one child with other based on their grades in school, looks or abilities. They are unknowingly sowing seeds of jealousy and anger within their own children’s minds, which can even grow into hatred between siblings later in life. Similar is the relationship within a large family or the world itself. Every person in a family has his or her own special place which nobody can take. We always expect others to understand us but never try to understand our own selves. If we realize our own importance in a family and the world, we wouldn’t worry about comparing ourselves with others.
The second way to overcome jealousy is to be aware. We make mistakes only when we are not aware. The moment we open our eyes wide open, there is no chance of falling into a pit accidentally. So if we are aware enough, thoughts of envy, jealousy and hatred will not enter into our minds.
The third beautiful way to overcome jealousy as suggested by Gurumaaji is to become more and more meditative. ‘Dhyan’ fills our being with tremendous joy and we begin enjoying so much within ourselves, that we never feel the need to compare ourselves with others!
Lets begin here and now, putting these simple sutras into practice and freeing our hearts of envy, jealousy and misery.