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Mark Ash-Petta
  • 5 months ago
Transcript
00:00Gratitude enriches the present moment, bringing it alive.
00:14Every moment has its own energy, its own feeling, its unique signature.
00:23These are beautiful realizations, and they bring out something practical.
00:29Grace can only be found in the present moment.
00:33It lives in the here and now.
00:37There is nowhere else to find it.
00:42When you feel alive, you are in the present moment.
00:47The connection happens automatically.
00:51If you awaken your gratitude right now, grace is there to respond.
00:57But being present has become a challenge we all face.
01:01The media and consumerist culture are all about distractions.
01:07There is always something you don't have and need to buy.
01:12There is an ideal body image to strive for and the expensive symbols of a perfect life.
01:22No one is supposed to have a perfect life right this minute.
01:27Getting one involves constant postponement.
01:32But whatever you postpone, you aren't experiencing here and now.
01:38The result is feeling that our present existence is always lacking.
01:44Life right now is not enough.
01:48Gratitude turns this around.
01:51We learn how to appreciate what you are given at this moment.
01:58We aren't stuck in the past or anticipating the future.
02:04Gratitude shifts our attention away from what seems to be missing.
02:10It begins to erase old anxious habits and empty desires.
02:18We find completeness in the present moment because that's the only place it can ever be found.
02:29In our meditations together, we ground ourselves in the present moment effortlessly.
02:34There's nothing to do.
02:36We only have to be.
02:41Once you learn how this feels, centered, secure, calm, peaceful, unconcerned, yet aware,
02:55you can learn to go back to that same feeling whenever you want to.
03:01In fact, by being grounded in the present, you can deepen your gratitude.
03:08There's a big difference between walking in the park and speeding past it in your car.
03:15The same is true of the present moment.
03:19If you're really in it, not just passing through on your way to something else,
03:25you appreciate the joy of simply being here.
03:31Try the following when you're taking a moment to be thankful.
03:36Close your eyes and center yourself.
03:41Imagine a perfect day at the beach.
03:46See the sun shining on the water.
03:51Feel the warm sand between your toes.
03:55Smell the gardenia perfume on the breeze.
04:02Now open your eyes.
04:05You will find that the room you're in looks just a touch brighter and fresher.
04:12For many people, it's more than a touch.
04:15Real vibrancy suddenly appears.
04:19This is what the present moment, every present moment, should feel like.
04:25It's the perfect setting for grace, and it's always here for you.
04:34As we prepare to meditate together, let's take a moment to consider our centering thought.
04:42Every moment is filled with grace.
04:56Now let's prepare for our meditation.
05:00Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
05:06Begin to be aware of your breath and just breathe slowly and deeply.
05:14With each breath, allow yourself to become more deeply relaxed.
05:24This mantra reminds us that our true self is ever-present awareness.
05:36Simply being awake in the now is the natural state of gratitude.
05:43As you think the mantra, feel that state of grace in the present moment.
05:51Be seated silently to yourself.
05:55Samprati-ham.
05:59Samprati-ham.
06:03Samprati-ham.
06:08With each repetition, feel your body, mind and spirit open and receive just a little more.
06:18Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts, noises or physical sensations.
06:24Simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra.
06:30Samprati-ham.
06:34Samprati-ham.
06:38Samprati-ham.
06:44Please continue with your meditation.
06:48Please continue with your meditation.
06:51I'll mind the time.
06:53And when it's time to end, you'll hear me ring a soft bell.
06:56Samprati-ham.
07:00Samprati-ham.
07:05Samprati-ham.
07:08Samprati-ham.
07:12Samprati-ham.
07:21Samprati-ham.
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