Peer pressure – the stick of Jealousy
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There is a beautiful verse in the ancient scriptures that says the power of maya *, the energy which runs the universe, uses jealousy as a tool to make you do whatever it wants you to do.
In India, there are people who do circus shows with monkeys in the street. They will have a small stick. Once they pick up the stick, the monkey will do whatever they say. If they just gesture to the monkey, it won't listen. Even though it knows that the man can pick up the stick at any time, unless he picks up the stick, the monkey won't listen. If he picks up the stick and tells the monkey to walk straight, it will walk straight. If the man tells the monkey to jump three times, it will jump three times.
The man will use the stick like the ringmaster uses it in the circus. In the same way, the power of maya * uses peer pressure and jealousy as a stick to make you do whatever it wants. Understand, peer pressure is just a big ego game. Actually, it is not at all necessary for you to grow. There is enough food, shelter, medical care and clothing in the world to satisfy all of our basic needs. There is no need to compete!