Thanksgiving Gratitude

Opening Reflections:

Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today,
at least we learned a little, and if we didn't
learn a little, at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick, at least we didn't die;
so, let us be thankful. 
-Buddha

In everyone's life, at some time,
our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by
an encounter with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people 
who rekindle the inner spirit.
-Albert Schweitzer

Indeed blessings are attained 
through gratitude, and gratitude is
related to increase and these two are
linked so that increase from 
Allah does not diminish
until gratitude from the 
servant diminishes.
-Ali

Scripture Reading:

Gratitude helps us focus our minds on Allah, 
something that has unfortunately become so difficult today on account of life’s distractions and attractions. 
Gratitude, therefore, corrects our perceptions 
by reminding us that everything 
that happens to us doesn’t happen 
because of its own volition and 
thus we shouldn’t take matters for “granted”. 
Allah says in the Quran: “And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah” [al-Nahl 16:53]. He also says, “And He found you poor and made you rich (self?sufficient with self?contentment)” [al-Duha 93:8]. Let’s therefore constantly remind ourselves 
of Allah’s bounties by expressing 
our gratitude to Him 
in prayers and at other times.(8)

Moment of Reflection: 

(moment of quiet reflection)

Scripture Reading:

And let the peace of Christ

rule in your hearts, so to which indeed

you were called in one body.

And be thankful. Let the word of

Christ dwell in you richly, teaching

and admonishing one another

in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in

your hearts to God.

-Bible, Colossians 3:15-18

Moment of Reflection

(moment of quiet reflection)

Sermon

Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding. Being relieved of the endless wants and worries of your life's drama, even temporarily, is liberating. Cultivating thankfulness for being part of life blossoms into a feeling of being blessed, not in the sense of winning the lottery, but in a more refined appreciation for the interdependent nature of life. It also elicits feelings of generosity, which create further joy. Gratitude can soften a heart that has become too guarded, and it builds the capacity for forgiveness, which creates the clarity of mind that is ideal for spiritual development.(7)

Memory Verse for Today:

And whatever of blessings 
and good things you have,
 it is from Allah [God]” 
[al-Nahl 16:53]

Closing Prayer:

Thank you, Lord God, Allah, Creator Spirit.
Amen

(1) Biddulph, Desmond and Flynn, Darcy. Teachings of the Buddha: The Wisdom of the Dharma, From the Pali Canon to the Sutras. London: Duncan Baird Publishers, 1988.

(2) The Holy Bible(NIV). Colorado Springs, CO: The International Bible Society, 1984.

Dalai Lama and Cutler, Howard. The Art of Happiness. New York: The Penguin Group, 1998.

(3) "Pearls of Wisdom." Last modified 2012. Accessed November 19, 2012. http://www.sapphyr.net/natam/quotes-nativeamerican.htm.

(4) Gammard, Ibrahim. Dar-Al-Masnavi, "Thanksgiving from the Islamic Perspective." Last modified 2002. Accessed November 19, 2012. http://www.dar-al-masnavi.org/thanksgiving.html.

(5) Ragland, Thomas. The Noble Eightfold Path of Christ- Jesus teaches the Dharma of Buddhism. Victoria, BC: Trafford, 2003.

(6)  Daily Prayer. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1987.

(7) Moffit, Phillip. Dharma Wisdom, "Selfless Gratitude." Accessed November 22, 2012. http://www.lifebalanceinstitute.com/dharmawisdom/articles/selfless-gratitude-0.

(8) IqraSense.com, "The Blessings of Gratitude and Shukr." Accessed November 22, 2012. http://www.iqrasense.com/muslim-character/the-blessings-of-gratitude-and-shukr.html.