Thankfulness

[Zachary]

Hi all,

I want to practice more gratitude meditation, just counting my blessings. This is because I feel I don't appreciate the things in life anymore.

But can a practice of gratitude go together with a practice of insight meditation or are they opposites of eachother? How does thankfulness stand against something like detachment.

I hope gratitude meditation will work a bit the same like Lovingkindness meditation. Let me know your thoughts.

Greetings Zachary

[SDC]

Hi Zachary,

I'm going to move this thread to our meditation section. A link will remain in this section as well.

[bodom]

Hi Zachary

You may find this book helpful in answering your questions:

Gratitude

Gratitude is an important quality that lies at the foundation of our practice and the Buddhist culture in general. This book is a collection of talks on the theme of gratitude from some of the most senior teachers in our tradition: Luang Por Liem, Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Amaro, Ajahn Nyanadhammo, and Ajahn Jayasaro.

https://www.abhayagiri.org/books/567-gratitude

[Volo]

Gratitude is an important quality:

Bhikkhus, the manifestation of three [persons] is rare in the world. (1) Tathāgata, (2) A person who teaches the Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata (3) A grateful and thankful person.

Concerning vipassana I think the more benefit you get from vipassana the more grateful you would feel towards those who made your practice possible and instructions available, especially of course to the Buddha.

[SarathW]

Gratitude is an important quality:

Bhikkhus, the manifestation of three [persons] is rare in the world. (1) Tathāgata, (2) A person who teaches the Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata (3) A grateful and thankful person.

Concerning vipassana I think the more benefit you get from vipassana the more grateful you would feel towards those who made your practice possible and instructions available, especially of course to the Buddha.

[Polar Bear]

Something else you might read:

Gratitude in the Buddha’s Teaching Compiled with the assistance and guidance of Venerable Nyanadassana Thero; Mahinda Wijesinghe.

And

The Lessons of Gratitude by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

[Sam Vara]

Concerning vipassana I think the more benefit you get from vipassana the more grateful you would feel towards those who made your practice possible and instructions available, especially of course to the Buddha.

And, conversely, the more one focuses on the contributions of others towards one's world, the more one is moved away from notions of autonomous selfhood and ownership.

[Polar Bear]

Also, here’s a list of talks on gratitude from Audio Dharma

https://www.audiodharma.org/talks/?search=Gratitude+

[Zachary]

Hey all,

Thanks for your replies and read and audio suggestions!

Now I have more confidence that practicing gratitude is a good thing!

[salayatananirodha]

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html