My cousin was very little - may be two years old. When ever he saw something he would tell his mother - we also should get this.
We never really grow out of this. We see something which our neighbors have, our relatives have. We should have them. It could be as small as a new design in steel spoon or as big as a car.
If we are unable to afford that item, our anger turns towards our spouses for not having enough money. Then it turns towards the owner of the said item.
If the person who has it is below us - then we will be outraged. How dare he/she buy such a thing? Where does he get the money for it?
I hear many of you saying that you are not so mean minded. In fact you believe in charity - you give out stuff to people, to your domestic help (the items which are too old or out of fashion for you). But tell me frankly, do you feel happy when your colleague or your spouse's colleague buys that new car you were dreaming of buying? Do you really feel "happy for them"?
Had taken a break, to light diyas as part of deepavali celebrations. Again my house must have most beautiful diyas, every one must praise them. And others should not have prettier ones.
When out lighting diyas, it flashed to me. Is this feeling jealousy, envy? None of us are devoid of this feeling. Not even the "sarva tyakta" sages - and please I am not referring to Swamis of today. Even the great sage Vishwamitra wanted to be a better than Vasishta and he made Trishanku hang in a space between heaven and earth - called Trishanku swarga.
And this mentality of "me - great " (and only me should be greatest) is being greatly encouraged in consumerist world. You have seen the ad where father buys a bigger TV for his son when he hears Sharma uncle has bought 40 inch TV.
We never really grow out of this. We see something which our neighbors have, our relatives have. We should have them. It could be as small as a new design in steel spoon or as big as a car.
If we are unable to afford that item, our anger turns towards our spouses for not having enough money. Then it turns towards the owner of the said item.
If the person who has it is below us - then we will be outraged. How dare he/she buy such a thing? Where does he get the money for it?
I hear many of you saying that you are not so mean minded. In fact you believe in charity - you give out stuff to people, to your domestic help (the items which are too old or out of fashion for you). But tell me frankly, do you feel happy when your colleague or your spouse's colleague buys that new car you were dreaming of buying? Do you really feel "happy for them"?
Had taken a break, to light diyas as part of deepavali celebrations. Again my house must have most beautiful diyas, every one must praise them. And others should not have prettier ones.
When out lighting diyas, it flashed to me. Is this feeling jealousy, envy? None of us are devoid of this feeling. Not even the "sarva tyakta" sages - and please I am not referring to Swamis of today. Even the great sage Vishwamitra wanted to be a better than Vasishta and he made Trishanku hang in a space between heaven and earth - called Trishanku swarga.
And this mentality of "me - great " (and only me should be greatest) is being greatly encouraged in consumerist world. You have seen the ad where father buys a bigger TV for his son when he hears Sharma uncle has bought 40 inch TV.
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