Today’s meditation shows us how expressing gratitude easily leads to empathy. We all know that to be spiritual we are supposed to be compassionate, but with all the negativity and injustice we see around us, it’s easy for our ego to feel justified in judgment and criticism.
However, when you find reasons to be grateful for someone, you are bridging the gap between the two of you. You can’t be thankful and fun at the same time.
That connection you feel when you’re grateful is your common humanity, it’s the foundation of empathy. A kind heart is an acceptance and forgiveness not only for others but for yourself as well.
Day 14 – Gratitude Brings Compassion
“We are all of one light on this one Earth, and loving humanity makes all the difference.”
Michelle Cruz-Rosado
Welcome to day 14, the end of week two of our 21-day meditation challenge. In the spirit of gratitude deepak and i (Oprah) want to say thank you for going deeper into this meditation journey with us.
Today we’re going to explore the intrinsic connection between gratitude and compassion, and how compassion starts to change your experience and the world. Compassion is the key to recognizing, and honoring what links us together.
It’s the knowing that because you are human, and I am human, that we are really more alike than we could ever be different. When you judge another human being, you deny the connection that ties us all. We are all human beings.
When you refrain from judgment, and when you choose compassion and only judge favorably, you activate your own grace. You become a conduit for peace, and understanding, and happiness.
From a place of gratitude, our hearts soften compassion becomes a natural way of being through our compassionate connection with others. We generate a collective strength that creates miracles.
So, let’s today make space in our hearts for empathy. Deepak is going to show us the way and then together we’ll meditate
OUR CENTERING THOUGHT:
When I Have no Judgment, I See Everyone With Kindness.
OUR SANSKRIT MANTRA:
Karuna Hum
I am compassion
Guided Meditation Video:
JOURNAL QUESTIONS:
- Write the names of anyone with whom you don’t always see eye to eye, but would sincerely wish to be kind to.
- For each person, describe at least one admirable quality you appreciate in them. Let that feeling of appreciation suggest a gesture of kindness you can make to them.
- For each of these people, write something you share in common and how that can be a bridge of compassion. For example, perhaps you both have an elderly mother you worry about, or share a passion for a particular cause.
- Use this space to reflect further on your experience today.
