One famous quote from the Buddha is ‘All that we are arises from our thoughts.’ Buddhist teachers maintain that ‘thinking is the speech of the mind’, and that ‘right thinking reflects the way things are.’ Along these same lines many spiritual seekers practice with the ‘Law of Attraction’. The Law of Attraction teaches us that we attract into our lives the situations, people, and things that we think about. Another way to say this is that ‘we bring about what we think about’.
As we become aware of Right Thinking, and of the Law of Attraction, the wish to deepen our practice of gratitude may naturally arise. Right Thinking reflects the way things are, and reality is that there are numerous things for which we can be thankful. According to the Law of Attraction, the experience of gratitude leads to the experience of gratitude. Gratitude practice therefore brings into our lives circumstances, people, and experiences for which we are ever more grateful. In my experience, gratitude practice can lead to profound feelings of peace and joy.
But, how do we put gratitude into practice? This article describes my own personal deepening practice.
I woke this morning and sat on my couch with my cup of coffee. As I savored the flavors, I felt grateful for the tastes and the beautiful cup I was holding. I felt gratitude for the dawning of another day. I pondered the following, pausing for three to five breaths with each thought, long enough to allow myself to feel deeply grateful:
I am healthy, strong, and beautiful. [I took time for a body scan here, directing gratitude to each part, arms, legs, stomach, etc.] I have a wonderful spiritual practice. I am incredibly grateful for my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, and for my local and extended spiritual community. [Here I took time and listed all the wonderful ways in which my spiritual practice has affected my life. I also enumerated many spiritual friends that join me on my path.] I am safe and warm in my lovely, cozy home. [I looked around the room, appreciating the objects and energy.] I have beautiful, smart, kind, and healthy children. [Here I listed and savored individual attributes of children, feeling gratitude for each. Could also use other family members (sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, parents), friends, or pets.] I have a wonderful partner that loves me so much. [Here I listed and savored individual attributes of my wonderful partner, feeling gratitude for each.] I have a job that helps support all of us. [Here I felt gratitude for the positive attributes in my work environment, colleagues, and all the things I love about my job.] We have an array of wonderful food in the kitchen: many kinds of beans, grains, fruits, and vegetables in a lovely garden. [Here I went through each one.] My car and bicycle are each in good, working condition. [I felt gratitude and thought of how I use each one.] I have parents and extended family that love and support me. [I took time here and enumerated many of the positive qualities of each of my parents, and also noted each of the extended family members I am grateful for.] There is money in my pocket, and in my bank account. [ I felt gratitude here for all amounts, no matter how small.]
All my best to you, dear reader, on your path of practice.