“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” - Meister Eckhart, 13th-century theologian, mystic
That which seems to deprive us of the experience for which we would be grateful is some variation on the notion of life seeming unsatisfactory. To the surface mind, that judges by appearances and weighs the goodness of life strictly by how circumstances align with its preferences, an attitude of gratitude is wholly conditional. Under such criteria, one is grateful when life delivers the goods it desires and withholds appreciation when life appears to be lacking and falls short of expectations. We are familiar with this syllogistic framework since it lies behind the on-again, off-again experience of wellbeing that pervades the egoic operating system. When I am getting what I want, I celebrate the moment and am grateful for my apparent good fortune, and when life is not meeting my desires and expectations then dissatisfaction overshadows any sense of appreciation.
In truth, you and I are not merely egoic creatures subject to the limitations of a temporary finite self that is entirely dependent on external conditions for happiness and well-being. We are inseparably woven in the essential Wholeness and Abundance of the universe.
The problem is one of awareness. Tantamount to the fish in the ocean in search of water we overlook the immediate presence of our being which is our true nature, pure consciousness, in which all needs are met. While our minds are caught up in making a list of unmet needs and desires, we are simultaneously immersed in the divine reality in which all yearning and seeking have come to an end. While we believe our good is at a distance from us, it is, in fact, closer than our hands and feet, closer than our very breath, as Jesus described this inner kingdom.
This is one more stunning paradox of the human/spiritual journey in which the spiritual answer is an about-face, a reversal, of the problem. Our essential nature is the very fulfillment we long to experience through our seeking and desperate attempts to manipulate circumstances to meet our desires. Quite simply and shockingly, we are what we are looking for. St. Francis reflected similarly with stunning profundity, The One you are looking for is the One who is looking. This is really good news to those of us who have been seeking but not finding for decades. We can call off the search at last and re-cognize the immediacy of this aware presence that is the omega point of spiritual aspiration, no less than the “promised land” within us.
So how does gratitude support this awakening process? By giving thanks regardless of what is happening in our lives, we are affirming an ever-present reality of goodness and well-being that belies and transcends circumstances. In the presence of a grateful heart, we are inclining our mind and its perceptions to all the good that is present, seen and unseen. The spiritual boost alone should be enough to motivate us to greater gratitude, but even if that seems too high and elusive, then consider how gratitude can brighten up a cloudy day, uncover a gem of hope amidst adversity, and generally make us a more pleasant traveler on the path we share.
While we are on the subject let me express my gratitude to those of you who read these weekly posts. It meets my need to contribute while I’m simultaneously exploring and expanding my own awareness of these powerful and liberating teachings. Thank you for joining me on this journey of awakening.
Gratefully,
Rev Larry
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