00:00The path of grace has always been considered unique, and in most spiritual traditions it
00:17requires a lifetime of devotion.
00:21But if grace abounds in all things and at all times, you can be on this path while still
00:28leading a worldly life.
00:32What makes this possible is one thing – contacting your true self.
00:40We all have many selves – the one we show at work, the one we show to our families,
00:49the one we show to a special loved one.
00:53There's a childlike self and a wise self.
00:58But all of these selves are temporary.
01:01We call upon them when they are needed and leave them behind when they aren't.
01:09If you go deeper than the passing self, however, there's something else.
01:15When the moment is over, your true self is left behind.
01:22It is the permanent I behind all passing experience.
01:29The true self is silent, but it isn't passive.
01:34Your true self knows what your life is all about.
01:38It knows your dreams and hopes.
01:42When you ask it for the truth or the way forward, it knows what you should do.
01:49In the Vedic tradition, the true self has a power known as Shakti – the power that animates,
01:57and regulates all of life.
02:01Shakti is your creative force, at once cosmic and personal.
02:08The energy of gratitude is just one face of Shakti, who is pictured as a dancer flinging out the universe as she moves.
02:22When you awaken the energy of gratitude, you're contacting your true self, and then all things are possible.
02:33If you could be your true self at every moment, you would be grateful all the time.
02:40Every object your eye touches upon, every sound you hear, every taste and smell would be vivid and beautiful.
02:52When your perception shifts to this intense state, you have no choice but to be grateful.
03:01You actually see grace abounding, the invisible dancer whose slightest gesture brings new life.
03:11In our meditations, we touch the true self, which exists in silent awareness.
03:19The true self is always with us.
03:23We wouldn't be aware without it.
03:28Today, you've learned that the true self is the source of grace.
03:34This means that when you send gratitude and feel grace replying, the whole process exists within yourself.
03:44Like the goddess Shakti, you can look at anything around you, a flower, a desk, a road sign, the face of a child, and say,
03:55This is me.
03:57It's a very worthwhile exercise because nothing is more intimate or more precious than ourselves.
04:07When you say, This is me, the separation between you and the state of grace disappears.
04:19As we prepare to meditate together, let's take a moment to consider our centering thought.
04:27My true self is always grateful.
04:34My true self is always grateful.
04:40Now let's prepare for our meditation.
04:43Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
04:47Begin to be aware of your breath and just breathe slowly and deeply.
04:54With each breath, allow yourself to become more deeply relaxed.
05:02Now, gently introduce the mantra, Kritajna Hum.
05:09This mantra means, I am gratitude.
05:13It activates the feeling of gratitude from your true self.
05:19As you repeat the mantra, feel the emotion of gratitude as your very essence.
05:28Repeat it silently to yourself, Kritajna Hum.
05:35Kritajna Hum.
05:40Kritajna Hum.
05:44With each repetition, feel your body, mind, and spirit open and receive just a little more.
05:54Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts, noises, or physical sensations, simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra,
06:05Kritajna Hum.
06:08Kritajna Hum.
06:09Kritajna Hum.
06:10Kritajna Hum.
06:15Please continue with your meditation.
06:19I'll mind the time, and when it's time to end, you'll hear me ring a soft bell.
06:25Kritajna Hum.
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