Session 033: Gratitude Is Responsibility
Gratitude Is Responsibility
Dhamma Talk + Guided Meditation Session 033: Aug 19th, 2020, by Sophia Ojha Ensslin and Cristof Ensslin
Banner Photo by Claire Nolan
Please scroll below the video to download handout and read text.
Video Recording of Dhamma Talk (Sophia) and Meditation (Cristof):
Handout
This week we have prepared a multi-page handout for you. It is posted left/below as blog content. Plus, you can download it as PDF by clicking on the following button:
Introduction
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
(Quoted in this article What is Gratitude and Why Is It So Important? [2019 Update] and it also contains a list of positive benefits of gratitude practice studied by scientists.)
In every cultural and religious tradition, cultivating an attitude of gratitude has been encouraged. Science is noting its positive impact on all aspects of our lives from enhanced wellbeing, deeper relationships, improved optimism, increased happiness and even a key component of stronger athletes. (What is Gratitude and Why Is It So Important? [2019 Update] ). There’s a long list of articles, research studies as well as books and videos in today’s Resources section that will help you further investigate on the topic of Gratitude. A couple of books and Ted Talks from that list are surely joining my bucket list of things to read and watch.Let’s explore gratitude briefly.
Gratitude Connects Us To Our Interconnectedness
In Shin Buddhism originating in Japan, the goal is not to attain enlightenment. Jeff Wilson writes about his practice in an article called The Path of Gratitude. He says, “we don’t practice to achieve anything—not enlightenment, good karma, a favorable rebirth, or material rewards. We practice simply to give thanks for what we have received.” He continues:
“From the point of view of the dharma, we can see that each being exists within an inconceivable network of support from all things. Whether it’s the attainment of buddhahood or the simple act of drawing a breath, our every action is assisted by forces beyond the ego-self. As we become aware of our interconnectedness, we gain some perspective of our karmic limitations. Accomplishments we counted as our own successes turn out to be due to the myriad benefits received from others. Pulling on our bootstraps, we discover that someone else made the boots and the straps, and fed and nurtured us until we were ready to pull. Our own efforts are imperfect and cannot succeed unless countless others are involved. This awareness gives rise to a sense of humility about our limitations and patience in the face of others’ imperfections. It also cultivates a sense of humor about our shortcomings and those of others.”
In another article, Selfless Gratitude, meditation teacher Phillip Moffitt says, “Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding.” He continues:
“Cultivating thankfulness for being part of life blossoms into a feeling of being blessed, not in the sense of winning the lottery, but in a more refined appreciation for the interdependent nature of life. It also elicits feelings of generosity, which create further joy. Gratitude can soften a heart that has become too guarded, and it builds the capacity for forgiveness, which creates the clarity of mind that is ideal for spiritual development.”...”Having access to the joy and wonderment of life is the antidote to feelings of scarcity and loss. It allows you to meet life's difficulties with an open heart. The understanding you gain from practicing gratitude frees you from being lost or identified with either the negative or the positive aspects of life, letting you simply meet life in each moment as it rises.”
When we take a moment to be mindfully grateful for our life, we tap into this understanding of our interconnectedness, realizing how everything about our life is a result of the support and help of others. It snaps us out of our limited perspective of us and our lives that we are living in solitude and connects us to the big picture of how we are connected to everything - despite Covid and the necessary social distancing measures. It leads us to feel generosity, compassion for others and joy for each moment that arises. It helps us be present and “meet life in each moment as it rises”.
From our own experience, when we practice being grateful, we feel like a burden is being lifted from our shoulders. That alone is worth it!
Responsibility As Receiver Of A Gift
There’s yet another angle to gratitude that I came across recently in a forum of Sutta Central which is visited by Buddhist Monks. Sutta Central.net is the online platform where all of the Buddha’s teachings are presented and not just in Pali but in several English translations as well as in various world languages.
In reference to a question on the forum about whether there is mention of gratitude in the Buddhist Texts, Thaniyo Bhikkhu writes the following:
“Gratitude is the taking up of the responsibility for what has been given. An authentic responsible person who is given a gift recognises his duties in regards to it/katannu. He uses the gift responsibly and carefully. This is how he honours the giver or gives thanks/katavedi.”
He asks us to withhold judgement of people if they do not say “thank you” when receiving a gift. It’s not whether or not they said thank you that matters but whether they have taken upon themselves the responsibility of the gift that was given to them.
“When having been given a gift does one use it with care or does one disregard ones duties of having received it? Does one recognise or disregard ones responsibility in the ability of intentionally acting or the ability to create wholesome and unwholesome consequences?
[...]
The Buddha has given teachings which apparently lead to freedom, what will you do with those teachings? Is the expression of gratitude or being grateful in saying thank you? Or is it the acknowledgement and taking up of one’s duties and responsibilities in regards to what has been received i.e. using all given opportunities and possibilities for developing wholesomeness and not doing anything unwholesome? Gratitude, the acknowledgement of responsibility, is the using Wisely what has been given.”
(Here’s the full thread of the forum discussion and specifically the post by Thaniyo Bhikkhu: https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/gratitude-katannu-in-the-ebts/10120/7)
So in other words, gratitude is using wisely what has been given. And this kernel of truth can help us deal with any chapter of our life, any situation in the day and any problem in our mind that we come upon. We can see it as a gift given to our care. We can welcome it, give thanks for it is here for our spiritual growth and then take up the responsibility to wisely use what has been given. Inevitably, by cultivating gratitude, we train our minds to notice the good, to see the good in everybody and everything. And as they say - “what you appreciate, appreciates”!
Let’s practice gratitude in meditation now!
Some Nice Quotes
“A mind trained in mindfulness of gratitude will stay attuned far longer and note more details of that which is good.” - Phillip Moffitt in Selfless Gratitude
“The words "gratitude" and "grace" share a common origin: the Latin word gratus, meaning "pleasing" or "thankful." When you are in a deep state of gratitude, you will often spontaneously feel the presence of grace.” - Phillip Moffitt in Selfless Gratitude
Resources
Video: Gratitude is more than an attitude - Ajahn Nissarano June 7th, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyNIh4DIAOk
Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/lessonsofgratitude.html
Selfless Gratitude by Phillip Moffitt https://dharmawisdom.org/teachings/articles/selfless-gratitude
The Path of Gratitude by Jeff Wilson https://www.lionsroar.com/the-path-of-gratitude/
Bonus Readings:
This article on being grateful for Buddhism in America, highly recommend it:We’ve been Here All Along by Funie Hsu, assistant Professor of American Studies at San Jose State University https://www.lionsroar.com/weve-been-here-all-along/
Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude by Sarah Rudell Beach https://leftbrainbuddha.com/simple-ways-to-practice-gratitude/
Free Film Screening
Not necessarily related to today’s topic, I wanted to share with you a free film screening on August 29th, 2020 which you can read more about it and register for here:https://www.infinitepotential.com/krishnamurti/
Books on Gratitude:
Here’s a list of books on Gratitude: https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-books-oliver-sachs/
Videos on Gratitude:
Here’s a list of videos on Gratitude: https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-ted-talks-videos/
