Acharya Prashant addresses the questioner's problem of constantly comparing himself with others. He states that there is no harm in comparison if one knows the art of it. Usually, the comparisons people make are with those who are fundamentally just like them, on the same level, whether a little ahead or behind. Such comparisons only lead to superficial changes, like adding or subtracting something from oneself, but they do not bring about a fundamental transformation. This game of comparison is endless because the entire world is playing it, and the energy for it comes from comparison itself. He uses the analogy of an infinite ladder in space. Everyone is on this ladder, and comparing oneself to another person on the same ladder means one is still on the ladder. He introduces the concepts of 'Aggumal' (one who is ahead) and 'Pichhumal' (one who is behind). No matter where you are on this ladder, you will always be behind an 'Aggumal' and ahead of a 'Pichhumal'. Even after making significant progress, your relative position remains the same, though the faces of 'Aggumal' and 'Pichhumal' might change. This shows that no real progress is made. The problem with the game of comparison is that the faces of 'Aggumal' and 'Pichhumal' keep changing, but 'Aggumal' and 'Pichhumal' themselves do not change. You are always a sandwich between an 'Aggumal' and a 'Pichhumal'. Acharya Prashant advises that if one must compare, it should be with someone who is not on this ladder of comparison at all, someone who is beyond comparison. This means comparing oneself with someone who has gone beyond the measurable, the tangible, and the physical. One should compare oneself with those who have valued things that cannot be weighed on a scale ('tula'), such as love, compassion, joy, and freedom. He suggests comparing oneself with the Self (Atma), which is incomparable ('atulya'). The Self is described in the Upanishads through negative terms. For instance, the Self is unattached ('anasakt'); compare this to your own life, which is full of attachments. The Self is unstained ('niranjan'); compare this to your mind, which is always seeking entertainment ('manoranjan'). The Self is without support ('niralamb'), while we always depend on support. The Self is without a goal ('alakshya'), while our lives are filled with goals. The Self is without a home ('aniket'), while we are attached to having a home. This is the right kind of comparison. If you honestly compare yourself to the Self, you will realize you are nowhere. This comparison will be so overwhelming that it will break the very ladder of comparison, and you will be free from it.
