Overcoming Chronic Jealousy and Competitiveness
In the heart of a Midwestern city, where avoiding conflict and confrontation was a cultural norm, an individual found themselves grappling with feelings of jealousy and competition. This struggle led them on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, guided by the teachings of the Baha'i Faith.
The Revelation of Baha'u'llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith, aims to adorn the soul with virtues of humility and self-effacement, reversing the process of competition and replacing it with a focus on spiritual health and personal growth. This philosophy is central to the Baha'i Faith, which encourages viewing differences—notably between religions or individuals—not as competition but as complementary parts of a continuous spiritual journey.
Jealousy, the individual discovered, often arises from assuming one cannot do something another person can do. Analyzing and contextualizing what creates jealousy can help prevent cycles of jealousy. The Baha'i Faith further warns that anger and jealousy can physically harm the body, a reminder of the deep connection between spiritual and physical wellbeing.
The individual's upbringing, as the eldest sister in the house and one who spent little time competing with siblings, played a role in shaping their perspective. They grew up playing collaborative games, not competitive sports, which may have fostered a cooperative mindset from an early age.
The Baha'i Faith sees competition based on ego, aggression, or survival instincts as contrary to the higher human nature, which is altruistic, compassionate, and cooperative. This emphasis on divine attributes nurtures inner peace and wellbeing, replacing divisiveness with unity.
Practical examples within the Baha'i community life emphasize cooperation and shared contribution toward common goals, such as building community centers or organizing events. This fosters internal wellbeing through collective effort rather than individual competition.
In adulthood, the individual realized that America's love for competition influenced their own behavior. They made a conscious effort to avoid comparing themselves to others and limit their social media use, recognizing that comparison often led to competitive thinking. Meditation, too, became a tool for deactivating feelings of jealousy and providing an emotional reset.
Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, described that jealousy and petty bickerings can inhibit spiritual growth and lead to despair and helplessness. Reorienting competitive energy towards internal development goals can make striving for excellence feel good rather than poking holes of insecurity.
In summary, the Baha'i Faith teaches that internal wellbeing flourishes when competition is transcended by spiritual virtues like cooperation, consultation, and unity, thus transforming rivalry into opportunities for growth, harmony, and community building. This approach reduces conflict and promotes a sense of shared purpose and harmony internal to individuals and communities.
The individual's exploration of the Baha'i Faith led them to recognize that competition, rooted in ego and aggression, hampers personal growth and wellbeing, emphasizing instead the value of cooperation and self-development in their lifestyle. The Baha'i teachings encourage rechanneling competitive energy towards self-improvement, fostering relationships built on mutual respect and spiritual interdependence, thereby nurturing their education-and-self-development as well as their personal-growth.
