Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 89

What Is the Benefit of Saying Words of Praise about One Another?

I am sitting in a group, and suddenly the entire group begins speaking about a friend who is not present. Everyone praises his actions, talking about how amazing and serious he is. I am surprised because I never thought of him that way and, in fact, I did not particularly value him. However, when I hear others praising him so highly, a fire ignites within me. I start feeling envious and compare him to myself: “How could this be? Why him? And where am I? Could he already be at a higher degree than me?” This burning envy energizes me.

We should seek conducts that ignite this inner fire, which stir up envy that is beneficial for the goal. It should not be envy that drives us to sabotage a friend’s path so that he does not stand out too much. Such envy only harms us. Without beneficial envy, there is no progress, and envy carries great power that needs to be properly utilized.
From a Talk on the Article “What Does It Mean that the Evil Inclination Ascends and Slanders, in the Work?,” 6/3/2002

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Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 88
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