Do you think it is possible to be completely happy for another person with no hint of envy/jealousy, or to the contrary, do you think every time one is happy for another, there is an indestructible parallel thread of envy that is part of man's innate nature? If you believe in the former, would you qualify it, i.e., are there any circumstances under which this is possible? What about the necessity for it? Do you think it is necessary to have the ability to feel truly happy for another person?
Indians have long believed in the existence of the "evil eye", to the extent that it is even believed to be subconscious, and they also believe that jealousy can affect the well-being of the other person. Of course, I think many of us do feel insecure when we sense jealousy. Whether or not we consciously take a stand on believing in the evil eye, there are times when many of us are afraid to "jinx" something. What are your sentiments in this regard?
I think that being happy for another person takes empathy. To this end, do you think that a person incapable of being happy for another is incapable of sympathizing with another's sorrow just the same...?
Have you been in a circumstance/relationship where you can never feel that another person can be truly happy for your success? Is that important to you, and do you think the reason for the other person's not being happy is necessarily jealousy? If not, what are the other possibilities, assuming that you know the person too well for it to be simple nonchalance?
How do you deal with jealousy, both when you see it brewing inside you and when you see it in another person, towards you? Is it possible for good friendship and active jealousy to coexist, and if so, is that ok?
And finally, what do you think is the origin of jealousy? I was reading about Jean-Jacques Rousseau's philosophy. According to Rousseau:
"Society's negative influence on men centers on its transformation of amour de soi, a positive self-love, into amour-propre, or pride. Amour de soi represents the instinctive human desire for self-preservation, combined with the human power of reason. In contrast, amour-propre is artificial and encourages man to compare himself to others, thus creating unwarranted fear and allowing men to take pleasure in the pain or weakness of others." (wikipedia)
How much do you agree with that? Do you think the reason is, ultimately, society/social structure?

