Do not hate the evil hearted, the jealous and the selfish. It is they who promote your salvation. – Swami Sivananda
Jealousy often disturbs peace of mind. Are you jealous of somebody? Jealousy is a canker sore. It is incorrect to imagine that A has blocked your promotion in office or that B has ruined you by competing in the same business.
Remember, no one can make or mar your life. Your life is shaped by your previous Karma. If you are destined to rise, all the world can not stop it. Each person is governed by their own destiny and thoughts. Each person’s life is independent from the other. Understand this point well. Never again be jealous of others or blame others for your misfortune.
Six Sadhanas for Eradicating Jealousy
There are six ways of eradicating this emotion of jealousy
1. The Raja Yoga Method.
2. The Vedantic Method.
3. The Bhakta Method.
4. The Karma Yoga Method.
5. Method of Vichara of Vivekins.
6. The Theosophist’s Method.
1. The Raja Yoga Method: A Raja Yogi destroys the Vritti by “Yogah Chittavritti-nirodhah.” By repeating this mantra the yogi can destroy all Sankalpas of Jealousy by introspection. Watch carefully and meditate. This Yogi can adopt another method of “Pratipaksha Bhavana” by cultivating the opposite virtues of jealousy and compassion, viz., nobility or magnanimity (Udarata). Rise above Jealousy.
Jealousy is the result of petty mindedness. If nobility is supplanted, jealousy will die of itself. Have a meditation room. Sit on Padma or Siddha or Sukha Asana for half an hour in the morning. Meditate on this virtue, nobility. Think of the advantages in possessing this virtue and the disadvantages you derive from jealousy. Think of those great persons who possess this virtue – magnanimity. Imagine when you move in society that you are in actual possession of this quality. Constantly repeat the watch words “OM Nobility” mentally during the course of the day. Keep the image of this word “Nobility” before the mind’s eye.
Repeat this auto-suggestion “I am becoming better and better every day, in every way.” You will doubtless develop this virtue within some months. Even if you fail, it does not matter much. Never despair. Go on with the above Sadhana (practice) systematically and regularly. Eventually this virtuous quality, nobility will become part and parcel of your nature. Jealousy will vanish altogether.
2. The Vedantic Method: The Vedantin repeats the formulae “I am the All,” “I am in all,” “All is Self.” “There is nothing but my own Self in this whole Universe. I see my own Self everywhere. Who is to be jealous of whom?” the Vedantin says. Jealousy disappears by this Vedantic Sadhana.
3. The Bhakta Method: A Bhakta or devotee sees Narayana, Krishna, everywhere. A Bhakta says: “Sarvam Vishnumayam Jagat” – Everything is Lord Vishnu. By this practice, jealousy dies eventually.
4. The Karma Yoga Method: A Karma Yogin reduces their wants and slowly controls the Indriyas. The Karma Yogin serves all with pure, cosmic love with Sama Bhavana (equal vision) as manifestation of the Lord. Jealousy vanishes completely in the long run by constant service.
5. Method of Vichara of Vivekins: If your brother is in a high prosperous position you are not jealous. If your closest friend is in affluent circumstances you don’t evince jealousy. Similarly when a Vritti of jealousy arises with reference to other persons, identify yourself with that person as your best amiable friend. Immediately the Vritti of jealousy will die. By constant practice of this kind, you can slowly eradicate jealousy.
6. The Theosphist’s Method: All are equal. All are children of the One universal Father Isvara. By constant remembering this personhood idea, you can get rid of jealousy. The Sanskrit term for jealousy is Irshya. Matsarya and Asuya are also synonymous terms. But there is a subtle difference. Jealousy is a particular kind of emotion or Vritti that arises in a Rajasic mind, wherein the victim looks upon with a grudging eye on the prosperity or success or higher virtuous qualities of others. The heart of the Rajasic mind burns when another person is more prosperous or happier than themselves. Hatred and anger are the modifications of jealousy. A person filled with jealousy hates another person if they are in a better position. A person grieves at the sight of another’s success. This person tries their level best to pull the other down to undermine them by various foul means, by back biting, tale bearing or vilification. This person attempts to annihilate the other. The person creates dissensions among their friends.
Jealousy is the very root of all evils. This is a great obstacle to all aspirants. It is very common among the Sadhu class also. This is one of the prominent reasons for their degeneration. Even highly educated cultured persons are affected by this. It is due to their mean mind and impure heart. No one can enjoy an iota of real happiness if a person’s mind is filled with jealousy.
How can there be peace of mind when the heart burns with jealousy? It can only augment the uneasiness of the mind. Every aspirant must be ever on alert. They should not become slaves of name and fame or physical comfort or the appeasement of his palate.
If there is jealousy, this person is far from God. One should rejoice in the welfare of others. He must purify his heart first through utter self dedication for the welfare and good of others. Real renunciation is the most effective way to get rid of jealousy. Discrimination and dispassion are the surest means of eradicating jealousy. Use discernment every moment of your life. Witness between the good in all. Notice the real and unreal. Then alone you can get rid of this deadly curse. Remember well that all are the children of the same God and are reaping the fruits of their own Karmas, either good or bad. There is no use of getting jealous at other’s prosperity. You can also achieve the same status, if you do good actions, if you exert your best and persevere.
All faculties and efficiencies are dormant within you. Everything is there. It is only the exertion and perseverance that can expose your latent faculties. It is verily the vilest quality of a coward, timid and weak to get jealous of others.
Destroy every form of jealousy by introspection, carefully watching the mind, discrimination and meditation. You should have to adopt the method of Pratipaksha Bhavana by cultivating the opposite virtuous qualities of jealousy, viz., nobility and magnanimity. If nobility is supplanted, jealousy will die by itself.