competition

[Dtris]

Thank you, Unity. You are so correct. I do get that. What is more difficult is that, even though I do understand what you said and can correct myself AFTER the "ranking" thought pops into my head, it does not negate the fact that the thought DID pop into my head. That is, how do I stop that reflex habit, no matter how brief if may be, from popping up in the first place? It almost makes it worse that I understand its ridiculousness immediately after the fact since it is truly is so ridiculous. Arrgh...

I have been trying IndigoSalvia's suggestion and will see how that plays out. I realize that the odds of it working are most likely related to the attitude that I go into it with, so I am trying to be optimistic about it.

Competition gets  a lot of flack on here and in spiritual circles but I personally think that it can be a very useful tool. Like any other tool or catalyst what matters is how you approach it.

If you are having a contest with a group of friends or co-workers, for example, which has a universally beneficial goal then the competition can help everyone. If the dynamic of the competition is supportive, and not destructive it is also more useful.

It sounds to me like you may be comparing yourself to others habitually and in ways which is not really useful. Which your mind is interpreting as competitive. Some people have that kind of drive and turn everything into a competition.

I would say if that is the case that a healthy competitive outlet may help you focus your competitive energies in a useful direction.

Also it is easier to build a new overlapping habit than to cause a habit to go extinct without a replacement. So instead of trying to not rank yourself and others, instead replace those thoughts with something else, like "they are very good at this, maybe I can learn something from them." Or " I may have more experience than them, perhaps they would be able to learn from me." Those are just examples but the point is to think something else that is positive instead of the ranking thoughts.