Mind Of Gratitude
What would it take, I wonder, to enable you to not be angry? I wonder if there is something that could effectively replace or eliminate all anger from occurring in my mind? It’s an interesting thought.
I know for myself, when I am most content or my life seems the most full I am less prone to experiencing or engaging in anger within myself. One way to fill up our lives is to have gratitude. As I mentioned the other day if we take time to list the things we are grateful for it has been proven to increase our feelings of happiness.
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” (Meister Eckhart; medieval German theologian)
I don’t think we can deny the truth of this statement; thank you is really all we need to say. By focusing on our satisfaction rather than our dissatisfaction we become more aware of the ways in which our lives are already complete.
Of course this is the opposite of our culture, and the messages we receive constantly through advertisements. In a sense we are almost completely a culture of dissatisfied individuals. There is always a prevailing sense of not quite having enough, however that manifests itself.
“World-Honored One! I have never seen anyone like you before. Your teachings have these inconceivable, wonderful merits. The practices performed according to your teachings and precepts are peaceful and pleasant. From today on, I will not act according to my own mind. I will not have wrong views, arrogance, anger or any other evil thought.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXVII)
There is noting incomplete or lacking in the teachings of the Buddha. Through our practice daily we are able to fill our lives with peace and by following the precepts we can experience joy.
It is said that some people are actually fearful of considering what we are grateful for. As you think about the things to be grateful for, notice if you are experiencing any resistance or discomfort. Do you even find that for every gratitude item you easily think of some dissatisfaction?
Realize that Buddhism in frequently talked about as a path, and as on a path it is a journey. Every step along the way brings us further along than we were before. Take joy in these steps!
“Although he has not yet obtained the wonderful body of the Bodhisattva who knows the nature of the Dharma without-asravas, he will be able to have all these things reflected on his pure and natural body.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XIX)
