I have been feeling particularly grateful recently. Most of my family live far away, so I was happy when we recently had a family gathering. I feel so grateful that they all are a part of my life. There are a lot of us and we crowded into my niece’s new home. I am grateful that she was willing to host our family gathering. We had a good time and were glad to see one another again.

Gratitude is a mindset, a way of looking at life. When you practice gratitude your spirits will lift and you will gain a new perspective. During a gratitude meditation, I notice that my breathing slows down; I become calm and my attitude toward life brightens. It is a personal goal to feel gratitude for the good things and people in my life.

Jack Kornfield is a buddhist monk who has taught meditation since 1974. He is one of the key teachers to introduce buddhist midfulness practice to the West. He has a lovely meditation on gratitude. https://jackkornfield.com/meditation-gratitude-joy/

Try meditating on gratitude. See if it doesn’t make a difference in your life.

Today, I will be grateful for the life I have been given and live in the present moment.  I am grateful for the blessings in my life. Namaste.

Today, I opened a book at home that I have had for years.   The title is The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace by Jack Kornfield.  It is a book of short sayings, poems, and blessings.  Every time I open this book, I find something new.   The poems are short, but meaningful, and include many meditations.  I am sharing a poem that I find relevant to the recent events in Washington D.C.  

To make peace we cannot ignore war, racism, violence greed, the injustice and sufferings of the world.

They must be confronted with courage and compassion. Unless we seek justice, peace will fail.

Yet, in whatever we do, we must not let, war, violence, and fear, take over our own heart.

The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace, Jack Kornfield

Here is a short meditation that I think goes along with it as well:

Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I calm my mind.

May I be balanced.

May I be at peace.

The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace, Jack Kornfield

You can find more meditations at Jack Kornfield’s website where there are multiple video and audio meditations.  If you are stressed, you can go to this website, plug in your headphones, and do a quick meditation.

I hope this post brings you peace.