Photo: Quasic

To call an emotion worthless isn’t exactly accurate. Contrary to what we may think, some good can come out of jealousy, even if it’s just the act of knowing we’re exhibiting the behavior. But jealousy doesn’t serve us well in relationships with either friends or lovers. Comparing yourself to others reduces your own self worth.

Mudita: Unselfish Joy

Taking joy from other people’s fortunes actually brings us happiness. Buddhists call it mudita or unselfish joy. It’s the belief system that jealousy is unbearable because it’s not based on reality, it refutes the truth that we are all connected. Mudita is the ability to be happy for others because we are able to see ourselves in everyone. We have enough compassion to spread that love to all those that surround us and we understand that jealousy in the end, only brings us pain.

Envy starts young on the playground and it’s a difficult emotion to shake. It rises to the top when we feel insecure about ourselves. We take things personally and put ourselves in the center of the universe. It’s really about getting to the root of why we’re feeling insecure.

Here’s how to get to the root of your jealousy