What do we understand about gratitude? Is it acknowledgement, appreciativeness, responsiveness, gratefulness, obligation, thankfulness or all of the above?

Our Gurus, wise men and seers say that we must be indebted to the universe and its inhabitants. However, we are enamored of the word that we use it in daily affirmations without understanding the meaning and absorbing it in our life.

How do we perform a gratitude sadhana?

Let us see how we can proceed on this sadhana.

A study published in the journal of Psychophysiology, revealed that gratitude has a unique stress-buffering effect on both reactions and recovery from acute psychological stress. This reflected more acutely on cardio-vascular health. It also effects blood pressure.

Swami Vivekanand, said,

In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.

We see that it is our heart which governs us, and gratitude emanates from the heart. When we apply our mind then it is calculated. Gratitude is to share what we have, to give unconditionally and practice karma yoga.

Whatever is coming to you, you should have some level of contentment and with contentment comes gratitude. If you are discontent, how can you be grateful? – Bhagavad Gita

In the Gratitude Sadhana we would should be able to accept ourself. We should cease to think that we need to do this or that. We just have to do a daily practice.

Close your eyes and visualize your breath, when you inhale rising from the navel to the throat and descending from the throat to the navel when you exhale. Add the mantra So when you inhale and Ham when you exhale. Practice 54 rounds, twice a day. So Ham is the sound of your breath.

This is the practice of Ajapa japa (chanting from the heart). It will empower and enable you to be yourself.

Aim Hrim Klim

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