Constructive And Destructive Comparison

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People ask me, "Swamiji, unless we compare, how will we know where we stand?"

You see: There are two kinds of comparison: constructive comparison and destructive comparison.

In constructive comparison, you see what others have and get an idea or some information about the things that you are not aware of. You increase your practical knowledge by seeing the things around you. You get an idea of how better things can be done.

In fact, this cannot even be called as comparison; it can be called as gaining knowledge or improving your practical awareness. Also, you don't feel any jealousy or undesirable feelings when you see others having it. This is the most important thing about this.

The real comparison we are talking about is destructive comparison wherein, you see what others have and are unable to accept the fact that they have it. You are not able to bear to see them enjoying it, be it beauty, money, knowledge or status. It is then that you start wanting to possess that yourself and get into the cycle of borrowed desires. This is what leads to jealousy.

In the whole world, someone is sure to be better than you at whatever you do. 99.99% chances are that you're not the world's best engineer, the fastest runner or the most talented painter. Does that mean that you enjoy these things any less? Only when you think that you might be enjoying lesser than someone else, you start enjoying less! The moment the thought that 'someone else might be enjoying more than you' comes in, your whole flavor changes. You become uneasy and jealous.

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