How do I control anger greed attachment to dreams selfishness , jealousy of some else sucess
Answer
In Jain Dharma, anger, greed, attachment, selfishness, and jealousy are connected with inner passions called kashayas. The main way to control them is through:
- Awareness – notice the feeling before acting on it.
- Samayik – practice calmness and equanimity.
- Pratikraman – reflect on mistakes and ask forgiveness.
- Aparigraha – reduce possessiveness and excessive desires.
- Maitri Bhavana – cultivate friendship and goodwill toward all.
Explanation
Jain Dharma teaches that the soul’s true nature is peaceful, pure, and full of knowledge. Anger, greed, attachment, pride, deceit, jealousy, and selfishness cover this purity and bind karma.
You can begin with simple daily practices:
- When anger comes: pause, stay silent for a few moments, and avoid speaking harshly. Remember: anger first burns the person who carries it.
- When greed comes: ask yourself, “How much do I really need?” Practice contentment and charity according to your capacity.
- When attachment to dreams or desires becomes strong: remember that worldly achievements are temporary. Work sincerely, but do not let success or failure control your peace.
- When selfishness appears: do one small selfless act daily without expecting praise.
- When jealousy of someone’s success arises: practice Pramod Bhavana — feel joy for the virtues and success of others. Their success does not reduce your own spiritual worth.
Spiritual Understanding
Jainism does not say that you must suppress emotions by force. Instead, it teaches you to understand them, weaken them, and purify them through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
A helpful reflection is:
- “This anger is not my true self.”
- “This greed will not give lasting happiness.”
- “This jealousy binds me; goodwill frees me.”
- “My real progress is purification of my soul.”
Daily practice of the four bhavanas is very useful:
- Maitri – friendship toward all living beings.
- Pramod – appreciation of good qualities in others.
- Karuna – compassion toward those who suffer.
- Madhyastha – calm neutrality toward those who behave wrongly.
Takeaway
Do not hate yourself for having these emotions. Observe them, repent when needed, ask forgiveness, and keep practicing. In Jain Dharma, victory over anger, greed, attachment, selfishness, and jealousy comes slowly through awareness, restraint, humility, and inner purification.