comparison is pure illusion🔗

volume 2

When we see others we see the best things about them and want to be like them. The very nature of the mind is to be unsatisfied, not to be happy, and not to be in the present moment. The mind can exist only in the past or future. It cannot exist in the present because you cannot have thoughts in the present moment. Ask the children to name their special features, the features they love a lot. The other extreme of comparison is we feel very proud that we are the best and start discouraging others.

Everyone is unique and special; no one is inferior to anybody in any way. Discuss the major areas where we normally compare—wealth, name and fame, power and prestige, knowledge and health.

We can group these under four major categories. Money, knowledge and beauty; which includes health and status. Comparison is pure illusion.

Contentment will flower when you understand the negative existence of comparison and jealousy. Borrowed desires happen very subtly in our mind; that is why although they happen continuously, we continue to state that we are not bothered by others

To make them understand borrowed desires, what are the needs and what are the wants of an individual.

• Name some of your special features?
• Which feature of yours do you like a lot?
• What happens when you compare with others?
• How do your friends feel when you discourage them?
• How will you feel when you encourage your friend to achieve something?

• What happens when you always say I am the best and I know everything?
• How do our friends feel when we are too proud?
• Can we have a huge friend circle if we are very egoistic?
• What is the best way to live happily?

We will not compare with others when we are happy with ourselves and satisfied with what we have. It is only when you don't respect your uniqueness that you start comparing yourself with others.