Envy used to prickle me constantly. But Buddhism teaches us that if someone feels joy, we too can feel it The article explores the concept of ‘mudita,’ or empathetic joy, a Buddhist teaching about finding happiness in others’ good fortune. It discusses the challenges of envy and comparison, and how cultivating mudita can lead to increased life satisfaction, altruism, and better relationships, supported by scientific research. Practical advice from Buddhist teachers and scientists is offered on how to develop this quality, emphasizing self-compassion and allowing oneself to receive kindness.

• Envy and comparison can hinder happiness, while empathetic joy (mudita) fosters positive emotions.
• Mudita, one of the four immeasurables in Buddhism, involves feeling joy for another’s good fortune and is linked to interconnectedness.
• Scientific research suggests a correlation between empathetic joy and increased life satisfaction, happiness, altruism, and relationship quality.
• Cultivating mudita involves overcoming near and far enemies like resentment, jealousy, and excessive reactions.
• Practices for developing mudita include starting with self-wishing happiness, contemplating shared humanity, focusing on appreciation, and being open to receiving kindness.