& Gratitude

Gratitude practice involves pausing to acknowledge everything that supports and uplifts us. It’s important to note, though, that in doing so we’re not stuffing down, ignoring, downplaying or turning away from discomfort. In a past post, we alluded briefly to the expansive power of the word “and”, and in keeping with that idea, it can be helpful to think of Gratitude practice as “& Gratitude” practice. We’re cultivating a sense of our own ability to hold the array of life’s experiences, often simultaneously.

We can feel the pain of a medical ailment, and gratitude for the care we’re receiving. We can feel the fear of sending a child out into the world, and gratitude that they have found a passion to pursue. We can feel the disappointment of plans going awry, and gratitude as we recognize that past detours have led to new adventures, and we can even hold the grief of a loved one’s passing as we hold gratitude for the time we had with them.

Interestingly, research has shown that the subconscious mind has a tendency to focus on the optimistic while the conscious mind has a tendency to focus on the negative. As with all meditation and mindfulness practices, the effect of gratitude practice is to bring the subconscious up to the level of conscious - to bring fuller awareness to our lived experience.

So Gratitude practice, or “& Gratitude”, practice isn’t an exercise in pollyannaism, it’s developing an understanding that we are a container large enough to hold all of life.

We hope that you can join us this week as we explore “& Gratitude”.

May all beings everywhere know their strength, resilience, and capacity to hold life’s experiences,
Your friends at CMP