The Dokkodo: Miyamoto Musashi’s 21 rules to live by - part 7.

Never be jealous.

Miyamoto Musashi… and his horse.

The Dokkodo is a set of 21 rules for life written by the legendary samurai and philosopher Miyamoto Musashi in the days before his death in 1645. The seventh rule in this series is: “never be jealous”, and this article will explore what this means and how we can apply it to our lives (if you want to read this series from the beginning, click here for part one).

What does it mean to never be jealous?
To never be jealous means to avoid feelings of envy, resent, or bitterness towards those who have something that we want, like, or admire. It means to resist the urge to compare ourselves with others, to feel inferior or superior to them, or to wish them ill. Never being jealous means to refrain from being influenced or disturbed by our jealousy, which can cloud our judgment, perception, and action.

Not being jealous does not in any way mean that we should ignore or deny our feelings of envy, which are natural and human. It does not mean to live a life of apathy, complacency, or indifference, nor that we should suppress or repress our desires, aspirations, or ambitions.

Not being jealous does mean that we should acknowledge and understand our feelings of envy as they are, without being obsessed with them, controlled by them, or identified with them. It means to evaluate and regulate our feelings of envy with wisdom, awareness, reason, and moderation. It also means that we should express and communicate our feelings of envy with honesty, respect, and compassion.

Why is it important to never be jealous?
Never being jealous is important for several reasons. Firstly, it is the key to our happiness, peace, and freedom. When we are not jealous, we free ourselves from the suffering caused by our envy, which is one of the three poisons in Buddhism, along with greed and ignorance. We stop being attached to our ego, which is the source of our envy, and we stop being troubled by our envy, which is the cause of our unhappiness.

When we are not jealous, we also open ourselves to the joy, love, and wisdom that life offers. We start being content with what we have, without craving for more, and we start being grateful for what we receive, without expectation of anything. We also start being generous with what we give, without demanding anything.

Secondly, it is the foundation of excellence, virtue, and mastery. When we are not jealous, we improve ourselves and our skills. We stop being lazy, careless, or mediocre in our actions and start being more diligent, careful, and excellent. We stop being distracted, confused, or misled by misguided lack, and start living with more focus, clarity, and wisdom.

When we are not jealous, we also contribute to the world and its well-being. We stop behaving in selfish, harmful, or destructive ways, and start living a more altruistic, helpful, and constructive existence. We stop living a life of isolation, alienation, and indifference, and we start becomming more connected, engaged, or involved.

Thirdly, understanding and resisting feelings of jealousy is a source of self harmony, balance, and unity. When we are not jealous, we harmonize ourselves and our relationships. We stop being hostile, aggressive, or violent, and start being more friendly, peaceful, accepting and respectful. We cease divisive, exclusive, or prejudiced behaviours or ideations, and start being more inclusive, tolerant, and empathetic of others and the world around us.

When we are not jealous, we also balance ourselves and our environment. We stop being wasteful, excessive, or imbalanced, and start consciously being moderate, sufficient, or balanced in the things we use and consume. We stop the chaotic, disorderly, or unstable behaviours we subscribe to, and start to be more orderly, stable, and harmonious in all things.

How can we practice never being jealous?
There are many ways to practice never being jealous, but here are some of the most simple and effective ones:

• Practice self-love. Self-love is the practice of loving ourselves unconditionally, without being narcissistic, egotistical, or selfish. It helps us to accept and appreciate ourselves as we are and what we have as it is, without feeling jealous, insecure, or unworthy. It helps us to heal and grow from our wounds, without feeling bitter, resentful, or vengeful, and allows us to cultivate a loving, confident, and authentic state of being.
• Practice gratitude. Gratitude is the practice of expressing appreciation for that which we have, we are, and experience, without taking them for granted, comparing them, or complaining about them. It helps us to recognize the gifts, blessings, and opportunities that we receive, without feeling entitled, dissatisfied, or resentful. It helps us to acknowledge the contributions, efforts, and kindnesses of others, without feeling jealous, superior, or inferior, and helps foster a joyful, generous, and humble state of heart.
• Practice compassion. Compassion is the practice of feeling and showing empathy, kindness, and care for ourselves and others, without pity, or being patronizing or intrusive. It helps us to understand and relieve the suffering of ourselves and others, without feeling guilty, ashamed, or helpless, while allowing us to celebrate and support the happiness of ourselves and others, without feeling envious, competitive, or arrogant. Practicing compassion also helps us to create an understanding, loving, and forgiving state of mind.

Conclusion.
The seventh element of the Dokkodo is to never be jealous. This is an empowering and profound rule that can enhance our lives for the better. By never being jealous, we can achieve many things in life including happiness, peace, and freedom; excellence, virtue, and mastery; and harmony, balance, and unity. We can also overcome the many challenges, difficulties, and uncertainties of life with new found courage, resilience, and optimism through self awareness and understanding. When we never be jealous, we can live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the world.

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