Cultivating Gratitude for the Inner Mechanisms that Serve Us >>>
In the inner garden for gratitude, a special place inside us can be cultivated that not only allows us to more fully accept ourselves in the ways we “imperfectly” respond to some situations (that is, respond in ways that are less caring or understanding, or mindful, or whatever, than we’d like to be), but also that allows for honoring of the diversity of mechanisms in us that aim to benefit us (even in indirect ways).
Such an inner space grows and flourishes in proportion to the mindfulness we give to what goes on for us beneath the surface, to the interior structures of culture that may at times sway us from fully connecting with our human nature (our natural selves, not our egocentric selves) in a given moment, and to the already-present ancient devices of our minds, hearts, and bodies that hold the potential to empower us and enrich our lives.
And if nothing else reveals the principle I’m referring to, remember this: Were aspirin, meditation, or health foods all we really needed to heal our world, would not life already be radically different from the way society is (still) structured today?
Take-Away Questions
- To what extent are you certain that the beliefs and thoughts you have about the world and other people are equivalent to the way they actually are in a reality beyond yourself?
- How often do you experience contempt for the judgments that come up for you from time to time (or frequently)? How does it feel to simply sit with the pain, frustration, and other feelings that accompany that experience?
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All the photos used in this post above are under Creative Commons License. If you or anyone you know might object to their use here, please let me know by sending me a message on my contact page.
Peace to you!
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