Mar
21
The Nature of Gratitude
Gratitude is at the source of spiritual practices around the world, and also of getting along swimmingly with others. The spirit of Equanimity, or “listening equally to all” has also been described as mirror mind, and is a sure way of finding the pathway to gratitude. Another way said, gratitude is listening from the heart.
If we consider that powerfully listening to the other is the first step in developing understanding among us, the qualities of gratitude will go a long way in delivering peace in everyday life. Radical acceptance of our circumstances delivers up the experience of gratitude, and experiencing the benefits of gratitude doesn’t take years of practice. Try starting your day being grateful, and by lunch you will notice the difference!
Developing gratitude around more serious issues may require a shift from our predictable mode of complaining. Feeling grateful for having cancer or the death of someone doesn’t mean we are grateful for sickness or death, but rather, for the opportunities that arise as a consequence of these adversities. It is important we pay attention to the opportunities that arise from our circumstances, instead of digging around in the garbage pail.
At times, a shock will come along and have us take a deeper look into who we are being in the matter of our life. While that is one way to wake up, another way is being available and willing to go diving into the depths of what is possible for oneself. Sometimes, tricking ourselves into thinking we have to do certain things, addresses our proclivity to put off things until it’s too late. Someone once said the truth will set you free, but, it may at first piss you off!
Try this operative practice to develop your capacity for gratitude. When you first wake up in the morning, without moving around too much, look across your mind-space and see what you see. What thoughts do you notice are occupying too much of your thinking? What is missing that you want in your thinking? Once you notice what could be attended to, put in the correction. for instance, if you notice you are complaining, put in acceptance. If you are spacey, put in awareness. If you are full of worry and significance, put in nothingness!
When we take the time to presence ourselves to what we are grateful for, an immediate shift in who we are being takes place. Enjoy yourselves!
