Envy is a horrible feeling. We often feel a deep uneasiness when we are met with the good fortune of another. ‘She is singing so beautifully, why is my face starting to frown?’ It is quite an inconceivable sensation, and it comes from our original envy of Krishna. This ghastly affliction is exactly what led to our fall down from Vaikuntha, and is keeping us trapped in this duḥkhālayam, place of miseries. If you’re tired of the shaky breath, stiff face/limbs and general uncomfortable energy, keep reading.
Shrila Prabhupada says: one who is not free from the contamination of envy cannot advance in Krishna consciousness. So here are 5 tips for curbing envy, with supporting quotes from our dear spiritual master.
Give praise to the devotees
“spiritual quality means to praise good quality. "Oh, you are so nice, you have got so good quality." That is spiritual.”
But this is not to say that we can give praise to any old person.
“They are all ass, camels, dogs, like that and they are praising each other. "Oh, you have discovered this. Oh, how nice you are. (laughter) How nice you are." But we understand the praiser and the praised, both are dogs and cats.”
Specifically the devotees of the lord must be praised.
“The Lord declares very emphatically that worship of His devotee is more valuable than the worship of the Lord Himself.”
Focus on your sadhana.
There is no space for envy when you are fully absorbed in the service of Krishna. “Śrī Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given us an authorized program for this purpose, centered around the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. This chanting has so much power that it immediately attaches one to Krishna. That is the beginning of sadhana-bhakti. Somehow or other, one has to fix his mind on Krishna.
Decrease material desires…
“One who is not Krishna conscious is subjected to material desires while contemplating the objects of the senses. The senses require real engagements, and if they are not engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, they will certainly seek engagement in the service of materialism.”
“Material desires, when unsatiated, generate anger, and thus the mind, eyes and chest become agitated. Therefore, one must practice to control them.”
Transcend the material body
“the process of hearing and chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord washes away the dirty things accumulated in the core of the heart. As soon as one is freed from all the dirt of material contamination, as Mahārāja Yayāti was, one's original position as an associate of the Lord is revealed. This is called svarūpa-siddhi, or personal perfection.”
Vaikuntha means no anxiety. This means that when one transcends the material body, there is no more fear, hankering, lamentation, anger and NO MORE ENVY!
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