The Meaning of Gratitude

"Gratitude is not a mere word; it is not a mere concept. It is the living breath of your real existence on earth."

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

Gratitude is a quality which is often underestimated. When we feel and express genuine gratitude we are recognising the good and beautiful aspects of life. Gratitude helps us to appreciate the best in others; it is a very powerful antidote to negativity and depression. To experience gratitude is to make a meaningful connection with our inner self.

Gratitude should be unconditional. If we are grateful because somebody has done us a favour, this is good, but it is not the highest form of gratitude. If we only express gratitude when we benefit, it is a limited form of gratitude. Real gratitude is a spontaneous feeling of appreciation and oneness; when we cultivate this kind of gratitude we live in harmony with the underlying nature of the universe.

How to Cultivate Gratitude.

The Heart

Gratitude is most powerfully an expression and experience of the heart. Our mind is judgemental and critical; the mind can easily find fault. The mind will only be grateful when it perceives a direct benefit. When we live in the heart we can feel gratitude because we have a oneness with others. The nature of the heart is to identify with the good qualities of others. It is in the heart where we can feel unconditional love and gratitude.

A gratitude-heart
Is to discover on earth
A Heaven-delivered rose.

- Sri Chinmoy [2]

Inner Silence and Meditation

The noise of the mind creates endless thoughts. If we are constantly thinking, we have no chance to rise above the mundane mind. When we maintain an inner silence our divine qualities come to the fore. We feel an inner happiness that is not dependent on outer circumstances. It is when we feel this inner peace and joy that gratitude spontaneously arises.

Simplicity

Gratitude is a divine quality because we are are identifying and appreciating an extended consciousness. Gratitude helps us to be in harmony with our source. Gratitude teachers us that the secret of happiness is not to be found in the success of our ego, or in the complications of the mind. Gratitude means to appreciate and love that which is not part of our limited self.

Nature.

When we spend time with nature we feel inspired by its beauty and vastness. When we meditate on nature, we feel an aspiration for appreciating the infinite nature of the Universe. Quite often we struggle to comprehend or quantify nature, but when we spend time with nature we feel a growing sense of gratitude.

[1] Excerpt from Sri Chinmoy Answers, Part 1 by Sri Chinmoy.

[2] Poems on Gratitude by Sri Chinmoy


Article By: Richard Pettinger, Sri Chinmoy Centre