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Mark Ash-Petta
  • 5 months ago
Transcript
00:00Throughout the last seven days of our 21-day meditation experience, you've learned how
00:17to connect gratitude and grace in a real and practical way.
00:25This is one of the secrets imparted in the world's wisdom traditions.
00:31Grace makes life flow effortlessly when your heart is gladdened and you feel the joy of
00:37your true self.
00:41When life is a struggle instead, this implies that you're meeting with obstacles.
00:46We've all had that experience.
00:50On the path of grace, obstacles are not your enemy.
00:55No matter how frustrating the experience is, an obstacle is a signal from your true self.
01:02It's asking you to take a fresh look at the situation.
01:08What you will almost always find is inner resistance.
01:14The outer obstacle has mirrored what you're resisting inside.
01:20Being grateful comes naturally, but stubborn beliefs can get in the way and block it.
01:28These stuck beliefs are generally pessimistic.
01:33Looking at life's dark side, we tell ourselves that there isn't much in the world that's
01:39worth feeling grateful for.
01:43Another block to gratitude is entitlement, a belief that all rewards are earned, paid for,
01:51and deserved.
01:53If we interpret the positive aspects of our life as what we deserve, there's no reason
01:59to be thankful.
02:02Entitlement is thinly disguised selfishness.
02:07But once we start the practice of gratitude, our perspective opens up.
02:14We start to see how the universe generously supports us in countless ways.
02:21As this realization sinks in, the sense of entitlement dissolves.
02:29You see your life for the cosmic gift it actually is, a gift of grace that renews itself with every
02:38breath.
02:41From this shift in perception, optimism naturally emerges, because the ups and downs of daily existence
02:49is, pale beside the infinite generosity of nature as a candle pales in the noonday sun.
03:00I learned that image when I was a child, and it turned out to be very useful.
03:08In moments when you feel resistance inside yourself, whether it's toward a person, something that
03:15happened in your day, or a tough obstacle, take a moment by yourself.
03:23Close your eyes and allow yourself a moment to become centered.
03:29Now see a candle sitting outside in the noonday sun.
03:34See the small flame flickering in the breeze.
03:40Now visualize how the candle is bathed in sunlight.
03:45The sun grows brighter and brighter.
03:48And as it does, the candle flame starts to vanish.
03:56After a few seconds, you can't see it at all.
04:00There is only the blazing light of the sun.
04:05Feel this light all around you and say silently, this is where I really am.
04:13This is what is real.
04:15When I don't resist, you're experiencing a deep truth.
04:19It's the perfect way to cap our first week together.
04:27As we prepare to meditate together, let's take a moment to consider our centering thought.
04:35When I don't resist, I'm in grace.
04:41When I don't resist, I'm in grace.
04:48Now let's prepare for our meditation.
04:51Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
04:57Begin to be aware of your breath and just breathe slowly and deeply.
05:02With each breath, allow yourself to become more deeply relaxed.
05:12Now gently introduce the mantra, Pranidhana.
05:18This mantra guides our awareness in the natural process of letting go of conditioned thinking
05:25and expanding into our true self.
05:30This is real surrendering when awareness accepts and embraces its full universality.
05:40As you think the mantra, feel the candle flame of your small self being bathed in the sunlight
05:46of grace.
05:50Repeat it silently to yourself, Pranidhana, Pranidhana, Pranidhana.
06:07With each repetition, feel your body, mind and spirit open and receive just a little more.
06:17Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts, noises or physical sensations, simply return
06:23your attention to silently repeating the mantra.
06:28Pranidhana.
06:29Pranidhana.
06:30Pranidhana.
06:31Pranidhana.
06:32Pranidhana.
06:33Pranidhana.
06:34Please continue with your meditation.
06:35I'll mind the time and when it's time to end, you'll hear me ring a soft bell.
06:53Pranidhana.
06:56Pranidhana.
06:58Pranidhana.
07:00Pranidhana.
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