Curbing Jealousy

TK MISHRA

Unlike critical appreciation, emotional heartburn is aggravated by a critical inner voice that forms negative self-talk. It perpetuates destructive thoughts and feelings, driving us to compare, evaluate and judge ourselves (and often others) with great scrutiny. It is an emotional state that produces pain / uncomfortable feelings that stem from comparisons that make one feel lower in status than another. This often results in feelings of resentment, which may culminate in hatred and intolerance. All of this could subconsciously affect our general behaviour negatively. This is why learning how to deal with heartburn is important.

If one decides to remain unaffected by material gains, name-fame and power-position of the other, and decides only to be affected by the other’s wisdom, good intentions and noble cause, one will develop positive outlook and temperament of appreciation. Also, spiritually aligned people possess a temperament of appreciation for the good acts of all beings. Faith is a power that wishes all well, helps us remedy defilements like envy, hatred, anger and heartburn. Then, we begin to think of human welfare rather than get entangled in narrow ends. The ‘give and take’ trait is part of the law of nature, applicable to all species. This is why, perhaps, every species derives joy out of giving. We need to realise that good temperament is an outcome of good life goals.

Source: Economic Times, 30/07/2018