00:00The journey to grace is fascinating and profound.
00:17It's a journey that brings all the qualities associated with grace over the centuries into your life today.
00:28Religions define grace as an expression of divine love.
00:34But the word has many personal meanings outside of religion.
00:40Grace can be about how you carry yourself, with inner dignity and an air of beauty.
00:50It can be about bestowing a gift or favour.
00:55There is grace when you forgive someone else or show mercy.
01:03These are beautiful expressions, but how do we achieve them?
01:09In this 21 day meditation experience, we'll focus on how to turn grace from a noun into a verb.
01:19Unless grace is active in your life, unless it brings real benefits, it remains merely a concept.
01:31So we need to follow practical steps that actually make grace come alive here and now.
01:39The most powerful way to achieve grace is through gratitude.
01:43Because gratitude makes a deep connection with the source of grace inside you.
01:49That's different from the religious conception of grace, which comes directly from God.
01:59If you feel comfortable with how your faith teaches you to find grace, these meditations will only deepen your faith.
02:09The world's wisdom traditions speak of God within, and they locate grace within as well.
02:19If grace exists in our awareness already, why isn't life filled with grace at this moment?
02:27Actually, it is.
02:30What's lacking is perception.
02:34Two people can be doing the same thing, but have different experiences.
02:40For example, walking outside to get the morning paper.
02:45One is lost in everyday thoughts and concerns.
02:49There's work and family to think about, with a hundred details to consider.
02:55The second person faces the same busy schedule, but in her mind, the sun and sky, the children on the corner, and the birds singing are all manifestations of grace.
03:11Room has been made in the middle of everything to feel gratitude for creation.
03:20When you have the awareness of how perfectly you fit into creation, how abundant your life is from the level of being, grace changes your perception.
03:32Gratitude is like a secret key that shifts your awareness.
03:40Gratitude changes your relationship with life from an attitude of rejecting and defending to one of acceptance and appreciation.
03:49Research has shown that this shift involves emotions, beliefs, and even our bodies.
03:56Because it has a positive effect even on ourselves, gratitude is an engine for holistic change.
04:06Change begins inside by performing meditation as gratitude from the heart.
04:12So, before we begin, sit and think for a moment about one thing you are deeply grateful for.
04:23It can be personal and intimate, like a child in your life, or as big as the beauty of nature.
04:33In this moment, you have opened the way for grace, awakening a potential you probably didn't know was there.
04:43It's only a moment, but a great journey has begun.
04:48In the next 21 days, grace will expand in every part of your life.
04:58As we prepare to meditate together, let's take a moment to consider our centering thought.
05:06When I am grateful, I find my grace.
05:13When I am grateful, I find my grace.
05:21Now, let's prepare for our meditation.
05:25Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
05:31Begin to be aware of your breath.
05:34And just breathe slowly and deeply.
05:40With each breath, allow yourself to become more deeply relaxed.
05:49Now, gently introduce the mantra.
05:52Dhania Vad.
05:57This mantra means, I feel gratitude.
06:02It invokes an attitude of appreciation for life.
06:07As you repeat the mantra, feel your being open to the unlimited blessings of your world.
06:17Repeat it silently to yourself.
06:21Dhania Vad.
06:24Dhania Vad.
06:27Dhania Vad.
06:32With each repetition, feel your body, mind and spirit open and receive just a little more.
06:42Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts, noises or physical sensations, simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra.
06:53Dhania Vad.
06:54Dhania Vad.
06:55Dhania Vad.
06:56Dhania Vad.
06:57Dhania Vad.
06:59Dhania Vad.
07:00Please continue with your meditation.
07:06I'll mind the time.
07:08And when it's time to end, you'll hear me ring a soft bell.
