Overcoming Jealousy and Competitiveness: A New Perspective
In the fast-paced world we live in, competition and jealousy can often cloud our judgement and hinder our personal growth. According to the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, these feelings can be overcome by shifting our focus from self-centered desires to spiritual service.
Jealousy, in particular, can be a result of feeling that we lack certain abilities or capabilities. It consumes us with insecurity and concern about not having what we believe we should have. The Baha'i writings suggest that this emotion not only affects our mental state but also has physical repercussions, with jealousy being compared to a fire that burns the liver.
The Baha'i Faith, under the guidance of central figures like Abdu'l-Baha, views competition and jealousy as arising from selfish desires to outdo others or gain material advantage. Instead, they encourage transforming such feelings by focusing on spiritual growth, service to others, and understanding the divine wisdom behind life’s tests and challenges.
Difficulties and tests, such as those that might provoke jealousy or competitiveness, are seen as opportunities for growth and refinement. Abdu’l-Baha likens them to gold purified by fire or trees made stronger by cutting branches. Instead of competing selfishly, the Baha'i teachings emphasize cooperation, independent thought, and respect for others.
The Baha'i perspective on prayer also plays a significant role in this transformation. Simply asking for material gain, which may be tied to jealousy or competition, is not always aligned with divine wisdom. True progress occurs when prayers and actions align with spiritual service.
As we navigate our lives, it's essential to remember that we all have different capacities. It's unproductive to decide how capable we are of certain things. The author Adib Taherzadeh wrote that Baha'u'llah's Revelation aims to reverse the competitive process and adorn the human soul with virtues of humility and selflessness.
In our modern lives, social media presents an unfair advantage as it only shows a curated portion of a broader story. This can lead to a focus on the self that comes with competition, trapping us in a cloud of jealousy. Getting out of our heads and finding opportunities to support others or focus on building community can redirect our attention from ourselves and allow us to let go of being competitive or jealous.
Finding ways to incorporate meditation into our day can disarm jealousy and hit the emotional reset button. Listening to one person speak ill of another can lead to an infinite circle of gossip and negativity, according to Abdu'l-Baha. Instead, we should strive to become better, more generous people each day, focusing on our spiritual health rather than comparing ourselves to others.
The last valuable tool for dismantling cycles of competitiveness or jealousy is to reorient competitive energy towards internal development goals. When one tries to focus on what their spiritual health needs and how they can become a better, more generous person than they were the day before, striving for excellence can make them feel good instead of creating holes of insecurity.
In summary, the Baha'i Faith teaches that competition and jealousy can be overcome by shifting focus from self-centered desires to spiritual service, trusting in God’s just and merciful wisdom, and viewing tests as means for personal and collective advancement. By following these teachings, we can lead more fulfilling lives, free from the burdens of jealousy and competition.
Our modern lifestyle, often influenced by social media, can perpetuate a cloud of jealousy by showcasing only curated aspects of others' lives. However, by focusing on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, we can redirect our attention from ourselves and foster a lifestyle that values spiritual health over material competition.
Relationships, particularly those built on cooperation, independent thought, and respect for others, can contribute significantly to overcoming feelings of jealousy and competition. As the Baha'i Faith suggests, engaging in spiritual service and supporting others can help us find peace and unity, paving the way for a more harmonious existence.
