Thanks Giving

Happy Giving Thanks Day!

Is this really a chance to give thanks? Or is Thanksgiving just another turkey dinner with relatives you don’t see that often (and maybe some you would rather not see that often)?
Well, for this week, let’s assume that we want to Give Thanks and be Grateful for what we have.

What is Gratitude?

How can we practice Gratitude?

Why do need to engage the practice of Gratitude?

In what ways is Gratitude already a part of our Innate Compassion Training practices?

grat·i·tude / ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

This reading is from Phillip Moffitt’s “Gratitude in Daily Life” from dharmawisdom.org:

Cultivating thankfulness for being part of life blossoms into a feeling of being blessed, not in the sense of winning the lottery, but in a more refined appreciation for the interdependent nature of life. It also elicits feelings of generosity, which create further joy. Gratitude can soften a heart that has become too guarded, and it builds the capacity for forgiveness, which creates the clarity of mind that is ideal for spiritual development.

There are numerous ways to use mindfulness to cultivate gratitude. Of course you acknowledge your appreciation when things are going well. But even more helpful is to notice those things for which you are grateful when you are contracted physically or emotionally. I often instruct students to respond to a difficult situation by acknowledging it as such, then saying to themselves, “Yes, this is terrible, and I am grateful for…” An example would be, “I am angry at this moment, and I am grateful I have a mind which knows this is so and can deal with it.” I also encourage students to focus on the wonderment of nature and the human capacity for learning and creating. It is so easy to only notice the terrible aspects of human beings so that wonderment is often forgotten.

You can reflect on gratitude by inquiring if it is time-based. Ask yourself what happened to all the gratitude you have felt in the past? Where did it go? Do you believe that gratitude is dependent on feeling good right now? If so, isn’t that a very small-minded, “what have you done for me lately?” attitude? Would it not imply that your gratitude is contingent upon an exchange-as long as you feel good, you will be grateful, and if not, forget it. This is not the quality of gratitude that leads to a mystical, direct experience of life; it is an unskillful blackmail or emotional demand on the universe.

You can also practice being consciously grateful to your family, friends, teachers, benefactors, and all those who have come before you who have made it possible for your existence to be comfortable, informed, and empowered. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to mentally note the many people who have invisibly served you by providing medicine, shelter, safety, food, and education.

So how do we practice gratitude in daily life? Notice when gratitude is present and when it’s not, and what happens when fear or confusion arises. When you are contracted due to self-pity, fear, or anger, more than likely gratitude isn’t present, so notice those things for which you are grateful. Respond to a difficult situation by acknowledging it as such, and then say to yourself, “Yes, this is terrible, and I am grateful for…”

…Focus on the wonderment of nature and the human capacity for learning and creating. It is so easy to only notice the terrible aspects of being human so that wonderment is often forgotten.

Now, for your reflection: what are you grateful for? (Yes, this is homework.)

1. Make a list of things, situations, and people you are grateful to have in your life. Include “basics” you would not like to live without, like a warm shower or your morning coffee. Appreciate what you do have now.
   
2. Next time you are in a challenging situation, make an effort to practice gratitude. Notice how that affects your mind and body.
   
3. Pause to appreciate that in this moment you have a sense of well-being. Notice the effect of this. Does this gratitude lead you anywhere?
   
4. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to mentally note the many people who have invisibly served you by providing medicine, shelter, safety, food, education, and so forth. Let yourself feel the gratitude you have for their unseen contribution to your life.