Hi steemers.
Envy, a topic which could hardly be more appropriate nowadays. A topic which the steem community has to deal with since day one and in the future. Turbulent times.
The christian-occidental tradition talks about 7 main vices which are erroneously called „The 7 Deadly sins“ in traditional language. There’s a big difference between vices and sins though.
A vice is a permanent bad habit which is primary seated in your ether body. Vis-á-vis is the virtue, as the positive opposite, also located in your ether body. If you indulge in a vice, you don’t just fall into an instant temptation, like into a sin but one incurs a deeper guilt which itself harms the social community, long-lasting. Vices are the root whereof the sins arise.
Sins are single current wrongdoings or misdeeds and work in your astral body if you fall into the temporary temptation. The lasting and periodic occurring vices work in your ether body.
A performed sin retroacts on the sinner. You burden yourself with karma which itself demands compensation at some point. Minor sins can be atoned during ones present life, bigger lapses or wrongdoings need more incarnations to be payed off.
And yet again we have the magic number 7.
Maybe you can remember its origin, you can find the relevant post here.
Hieronymous Bosch (1450-1516) made a beautiful painting around 1500 entitled ‚The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four last Things‘ which is currently located in the ‚Museo del Prado‘, Madrid.
He painted the 7 sins (which are actually vices, unfortunately the common language is sin) plus the 4 last things which are: Death, Judgement Day, Heaven and Hell.
There’s an astonishing similar piece of art to be found in Buddhism. It’s called ‚bhavacakra‘ (bhava = continuity of becoming, cakra = wheel) represents the ‚samsara‘, the cyclic existence / reincarnation. This painting is believed to be created by Buddha himself.
The word itself contains ‚cakra / chakra‘, and yes: We have 7 different chakras.
Back to the vices.
The 7 main vices are:
- Superbia: arrogance (pride)
- Avaritia: greed (avarice)
- Invidia: envy (jealousy)
- Ira : wrath (anger)
- Luxuria :lust (unchastity)
- Gula : gluttony (voracity)
- Acedia: inertia of the heart / spirit (laziness)
Our item on the agenda today:
Invidia
Envy (jealousy)
Jakob Matham (1571-1631), dutch copper engraver
Envy, also known as jealousy, is a really bad habit. The emotional ill will, to begrudge others luck. To be jealous if someone is in a better position. Without even questioning how others came into this position or why oneself is not in this position. Just on principle.
Envy is a very bad quality similar to extreme egoism. Envy can cause health issues like a disturbed blood circulation to a complete suspension. And let’s be honest, we all felt envy in our lives. It doesn’t feel good.
You get upset, blood pressure is rising, you start to rant. For some its obviously the purpose in life.
Up to them. Really.
They eagerly hunt for others mistakes or failures. Like a little child ‚He has something I don’t have, and I want that.‘ But if we all would behave like adults it’ll be boring.
To feel envy, or to be jealous, is an indication for insecurity and dependence. These people always need to have someone around to help them, to guide them. They are not able to do it themselves. A huge moral weakness.
Giotto di Bondone (1267 – 1337), italian painter
And it can be so easy. It’s in your hands. Get rid of it!
You don’t need money to get rid of it. You don’t need time to get rid of it. Just let it go away.
One should accept the merits of others, one should be happy about the achievements of others, their progress whatever that may be. And that EXCLUDES envy.
If you feel happy for others, if you are able to congratulate them for their success, UNPREDJUDICED, if you allow others to be better than you (and it will happen, if you want or not) you’ll find at least some inner peace.
Be happy if someone drives a better car than you. Be happy for someone who has a bigger house.
Why not?
Envy is a vice. Not a sin. It has much more impact on your mind, your body and your environment than one may assume.
Some will never learn though.
All the best. For steemit as well.
Thank you for your attention.