Comparions are deemed undesirable but is that practically feasible.

COMPARISON

Applied spirituality should be more concerned with what is likely to happen and not what should happen in certain situations.

We are very often told by spiritual teachers to refrain from comparing. Some say comparison is undesirable. Others say comparison is only possible between identical objects. Some others say that one should compare oneself with the people who are spiritually above us and materially below us instead of it being the other way around.

Whatever the spiritual leaders may say, the fact remains that comparison is a practical fact of life. Whenever there are extreme differences, it is but natural that comparison shall creep in. Subconsciously, it is a very natural tendency to compare and just by accepting in principle that one should not compare, it does not happen automatically. Then how does one make comparion compatible with spirituality.

The practical way out is that if you must compare, compare everything to the extent possible. For instance if you have a friend who is tremendously wealthy in comparison to you and you feel a little disadvantaged on that account, what should you do? Try and compare everything- his mental and physical health, his relationships , his job satisfaction levels, his personality etc. That way some way or the other, you are bound to be at an advantage. That is a more practical way of feeling better instead of repeating “Don’t compare” like a parrot.

An analogy can be the share market. Infosys is normally the costliest Indian Share but when one makes an overall comparison by considering (EPS- Earning per share) as well , it was found that Colgate was the most expensive share. Even generally when two companies are compared, all assets and all liabilities are compared. Therefore an overall comparison may make you more peaceful and happy or make you more spiritual. Just as an innovator makes science more practicable then the inventor, spirituality has to be made practicable if it is to be followed in letter and spirit.