Lesson 123, I thank my Father for His gifts to me.
As I sat in meditation this morning after reading the lesson, I once again returned to that familiar space beyond thought and realized/remembered that what comes unbidden as I enter here is gratitude. I got the sense then that gratitude is my natural state of being. Upon rereading the lesson as I write this tip, I feel joy well up within me as I contemplate these words:
“A day devoted now to gratitude will add the benefit of some insight into the real extent of all the gains which you have made; the gifts you have received. … Give thanks as well that you are changeless … Thanks be to you who heard, for you become the messenger who brings His Voice with you, and lets It echo round and round the world. Receive His thanks, and you will understand how lovingly He holds you in His Mind, how deep and limitless His care for you, how perfect is His gratitude to you.”
What a love story in this perfect exchange of self with Self—if only momentarily recognized. I am grateful for my willingness and the gifts it brings. I am thankful for my spiritual aspiration and the guidance of Inner Wisdom. I am grateful that the Truth is true and for the felt sense of knowing that nothing else is true.
Last week, when reading Chapter 4 from the Direct Means to Eternal Bliss, we learned how important the intense desire for freedom is. We were told that it will bring us everything that is needed for success in the “quest for Freedom including the answer to all your questions, the Direct Path teachings, the solution to all obstacles, the motivation to practice, etc.” We were told that the intense desire for freedom will guide us to our inner Teacher. “Of all the factors that determine if you will or will not be free, the intensity or lack of intensity of your desire for Freedom is the most essential factor. Whatever you can do to most effectively increase your desire for Freedom should be done.”
And so, today we take a day of gratitude in order to increase our desire for freedom.
What should we be grateful for? Here are some things that NTI recommends we be grateful for:
~ “Be grateful for all that is true. All that is true is this: Life, Love, sharing, extension and joy.” ~ NTI Luke 24
~ “It is true that peace is cause for rejoicing and gratitude. It is through gratitude that peace is extended.” So be grateful for peace. ~ NTI 1 Thessalonians 3
~ “Be grateful for the process that is God” That is, be grateful that giving and receiving are one. “In this way, you come to know within awareness that which is God, and you come to accept and love thy Self.” ~ NTI 1 Timothy 4
~ “Teach the mind to be subject to the Heart by being grateful for the desire of the Heart. Through gratitude, desire is stretched within the mind. Let the desire for Love expand within the mind that is conscious, and the conscious mind will give more willingness to rest at the feet of the Heart.” ~ NTI Titus 2
~ “One may rejoice over progress as he notices his perception is being healed. … The transition to true perception is glory. Have gratitude for your Self and this miracle, which is the symbol of your own true desire.” ~ NTI 1 Peter 1
~ “Be grateful for reminders to rest [the thinking mind].” ~ NTI Revelation 19
~ “See all things as an opportunity to learn and to practice, and be grateful for all things. There is nothing that will be placed in your path that is not a gift from Me. See it as your gift and you are blessed indeed.” ~ NTI Luke 9
So today, let’s take time to be grateful as we increase our desire for Freedom.
