Arishadvarga,
A term from Indian philosophy and spirituality,
Refers to the six enemies or negative qualities that are considered obstacles on the path of spiritual and ethical development.
These are Kama-desire,
Krodha-anger,
Lobha-greed,
Moha-attachment,
Mada-pride,
And Matsarya-jealousy.
Arishadvarga is often used to highlight the importance of self-discipline,
Self-awareness,
And detachment from these negative qualities in order to achieve spiritual growth and inner peace.
This is the sixth in the series of six meditations where we will understand and navigate each of these enemies.
This meditation will focus on Matsarya,
Which is jealousy.
So welcome to this meditation centered around understanding and transforming the emotion of jealousy known as Matsarya in Indian philosophy.
So find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down and begin by taking a few deep breaths.
And with each breath that you take,
Allow yourself to become more and more present in this moment.
In this meditation,
We will explore the concept of Matsarya,
Which signifies jealousy or envy.
Jealousy can create feelings of inadequacy and disrupt our sense of inner peace.
Through this meditation,
We will explore ways to transform jealousy into compassion.
So close your eyes and turn your attention to your breath.
Inhale deeply,
Letting the breath fill your lungs.
And exhale fully,
Releasing any tensions or distractions.
Focus on the gentle rhythm of your breath,
Allowing it to anchor you in the present moment.
Now imagine yourself in a serene garden filled with diverse and vibrant flowers.
Each flower represents a unique individual with their own qualities and attributes.
Visualize jealousy as a shadow passing over the garden momentarily,
Obscuring its beauty.
Now contemplate the times when jealousy has arisen within you and reflect on the underlying causes,
Often rooted in feelings of insecurity,
Comparison,
Or fear of scarcity.
Recognize that jealousy arises from a limited perspective and a disconnect from your own inherent worth.
Shift your focus now to your heart center and with each breath imagine a gentle light radiating from your heart.
This light symbolizes self-compassion.
And simply allow this light to envelope you,
Reminding you of your unique strengths,
Reminding you of your unique qualities.
Embrace yourself with kindness and acceptance.
Now visualize someone you have felt jealousy towards.
And as you breathe,
Imagine sending them thoughts of goodwill and happiness.
Envision their successes and joys,
Feeling genuine happiness for them.
Recognize that their happiness does not diminish your own.
And now imagine a mirror before you,
Reflecting the faces of people from all walks of life.
As you breathe,
Visualize the shared experiences,
The shared hopes,
And the shared challenges that unite us as human beings.
Embrace a sense of connection and empathy that dissolves the barriers of jealousy.
And now visualize jealousy as a dark cloud within your heart.
With each inhale,
Imagine a gentle breeze blowing through,
Dispersing the cloud.
And as the cloud dissolves,
It transforms into a white light of compassion that radiates from your heart.
And as this meditation concludes,
Take a moment to appreciate insights you've gained about Matsarya and the potential for transformation through compassion.
Remember that by cultivating compassion,
You can overcome jealousy and foster a more harmonious relationship with yourself and others.
So gently bring your focus back to your breath.
And when you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes and carry the essence of this meditation into your interactions and experiences.
By transforming jealousy into compassion,
You can contribute to a more empathetic and interconnected world.
Namaste.
