Sadhguru says Jealousy reveals the desires we bury deep within—once uncovered, it can fuel your greatest achievements. The only thing you need is Swadhay — the self-introspection and analysis.
Article | June 8, 2012
Sadhguru: Jealousy is a deeply human emotion, one that can be both destructive and transformative. It is an emotion we all experience at different points in our lives. Whether it arises in personal relationships, career advancement, or academic achievement, jealousy often brings with it a sense of inadequacy, resentment, and helplessness. However, instead of viewing jealousy solely as a negative force, what if you could use it as fuel for your personal and professional journey towards success? This article explores the idea that jealousy when understood and redirected, can become a powerful catalyst for growth, self-improvement, and accomplishment.
The Nature of Jealousy: Understanding the Emotion
Before we can transform jealousy, we need to understand its nature. Jealousy is often confused with envy, but the two emotions are different. Envy is the desire to have something that someone else possesses, while jealousy is a fear of losing something to someone else or a feeling of rivalry. At its core, jealousy stems from a belief that we are lacking or inadequate compared to others. It’s a natural response to the perception that someone else has something—status, success, or love—that we crave for ourselves.
Let jealousy be the mirror that shows you what you truly want, and the fuel that drives you toward it.
Jealousy can trigger a range of feelings, from mild insecurity to intense anger or frustration. These emotions are powerful and can have negative effects on mental health, relationships, and productivity. But it’s crucial to recognize that jealousy is also a reflection of our deepest desires. By acknowledging what we are jealous of, we can uncover what we truly want and identify areas in which we wish to grow.
The Destructive Potential of Jealousy
When left unchecked, jealousy can spiral into toxic behaviours and thoughts that limit our potential. Here are some common ways jealousy can hinder personal growth:
Obsessing Over Others: Jealousy can lead to an unhealthy focus on other people’s achievements or qualities. Instead of working on our own goals, we may spend time and energy fixating on what others have, leading to feelings of resentment.
Comparison Trap: The act of constantly comparing ourselves to others can erode self-esteem and confidence. Jealousy often leads us to see the world through a lens of scarcity, where someone else’s success diminishes our own chances of success.
Self-Sabotage: Jealousy can lead to self-sabotaging behaviours, such as procrastination, negative self-talk, or avoidance. We may convince ourselves that we aren’t capable or deserving of the success others have achieved.
Damaging Relationships: In personal relationships, jealousy can create tension, mistrust, and conflict. It can lead us to distance ourselves from those we admire or even sabotage their success out of envy.
Transform jealousy into a compass, guiding you toward your own unfulfilled dreams.
Shifting Perspectives: Jealousy as a Catalyst for Change
The key to transforming jealousy lies in shifting our perspective. Instead of viewing jealousy as a purely negative emotion, we can recognize it as a signal that points to what we deeply desire. When we become jealous of someone, it is often because they have achieved something we want for ourselves. This realization can be empowering. By embracing jealousy and redirecting it into positive action, we can turn it into fuel on our journey towards success.
Your jealousy is simply the shadow of your ambition—bring it to light and let it push you forward.
#Step 1: Acknowledge Your Jealousy
The first step in converting jealousy into a positive force is to acknowledge it without judgment. It’s important to recognize that jealousy is a natural human emotion and not something to be ashamed of. Suppressing jealousy or pretending it doesn’t exist only allows it to fester and grow stronger. Instead, take a moment to reflect on what exactly you are feeling and why.
Ask yourself:
Who am I jealous of, and what do they have that I want?
Is my jealousy stemming from insecurity or fear of inadequacy?
What does this jealousy tell me about my own desires and ambitions?
By exploring these questions, you can begin to understand the root causes of your jealousy and identify the underlying goals or values it reflects.
Jealousy is a teacher in disguise, revealing the gaps between where you are and where you want to be.
#Step 2: Use Jealousy as a Mirror
Once you’ve acknowledged your jealousy, use it as a mirror to reflect on your own desires and aspirations. Jealousy is often an indication of what you want to achieve or become. For example, if you feel jealous of a colleague who has been promoted, it may be because you aspire to greater career success and recognition. Instead of feeling bitter, recognize that your jealousy reveals your own ambition.
By using jealousy as a mirror, you can shift the focus away from others and back onto yourself. This introspection allows you to gain clarity about your own goals and take ownership of your desires. Rather than resenting others for their achievements, you can use their success as motivation to pursue your own.
#Step 3: Turn Jealousy Into Admiration
A powerful way to transform jealousy is to consciously shift it into admiration. This doesn’t mean pretending you’re not jealous, but rather choosing to focus on the qualities or achievements of the person you’re jealous of in a positive light. Admiration opens the door to learning and growth, while jealousy closes it off with resentment.
Here’s how to make the shift:
Instead of saying, “I wish I had what they have,” say, “I admire how hard they’ve worked to achieve that.”
Reflect on what you can learn from their journey. What skills, habits, or strategies did they use to reach their goals?
Reach out and congratulate the person on their success, or ask for advice if appropriate. By celebrating their achievements, you build a connection rather than a barrier.
When you turn jealousy into admiration, you not only change your emotional state, but you also position yourself as someone open to growth and learning. This mindset attracts positive opportunities and fosters a spirit of collaboration, rather than competition.
#Step 4: Channel Jealousy Into Action
One of the most effective ways to convert jealousy into fuel for your journey towards success is to use it as fuel for action. Jealousy often stems from the fear that we aren’t doing enough to achieve our own goals. Instead of allowing this fear to paralyze you, let it propel you into productive action.
Here’s how to channel jealousy into action:
Set Clear Goals: Use the insight gained from your jealousy to set clear, specific goals for yourself. What do you want to achieve, and how can you get there? Break your goals down into manageable steps.
Take Immediate Action: Start taking small, actionable steps toward your goals. Whether it’s learning a new skill, networking, or dedicating more time to a project, action helps dissipate the power of jealousy by shifting your focus from what others are doing to what you can do.
Develop a Growth Mindset: Embrace the idea that success is not a limited resource. Just because someone else has achieved success doesn’t mean there’s less available for you. Cultivate a growth mindset by focusing on continuous improvement and learning, rather than comparing yourself to others.
Success is not limited—when you let go of jealousy, you open yourself to limitless possibilities.
#Step 5: Cultivate Gratitude and Abundance
Jealousy thrives in a mindset of scarcity, where we believe that there isn’t enough success, love, or recognition to go around. To counter this, practice gratitude and cultivate an abundance mindset. Gratitude helps shift your focus away from what you lack and toward what you already have. This simple but powerful practice can significantly reduce feelings of jealousy and create a more positive outlook on life.
Ways to practice gratitude and abundance:
Keep a Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day, focusing on aspects of your life that bring you joy, fulfilment, and satisfaction.
Celebrate Your Own Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your own achievements, no matter how small they may seem. This builds confidence and reinforces a sense of personal progress.
Visualize Abundance: Imagine a world where there is enough success, love, and happiness for everyone. Visualize yourself achieving your goals in this abundant world, and recognize that someone else’s success does not diminish your own.
#Step 6: Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
The company you keep plays a significant role in how you process and react to emotions like jealousy. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive individuals can help you stay focused on your own growth rather than getting caught up in unhealthy comparisons. Seek out mentors, friends, or colleagues who inspire you and encourage your success. These individuals can offer valuable guidance, motivation, and perspective.
Turn every ounce of jealousy into energy for action, and soon you'll be too busy succeeding to compare yourself to others.
Harnessing Jealousy for Success
Jealousy is often seen as a negative emotion, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding and acknowledging your jealousy, you can turn it into a powerful tool for self-awareness, motivation, and growth. Instead of allowing jealousy to hold you back, use it as fuel on your journey towards success. Through introspection, admiration, action, gratitude, and positive influences, you can transform jealousy into a source of strength that propels you forward. Success, after all, is not about competing with others—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.
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