The Buddha's Guide to Gratitude

According to Buddha, "You have no cause for anything but gratitude and joy." Being thankful is one of the most powerful tools we humans have to attain peace of mind and a measure of happiness. As it turns out, Buddha had quite a lot to say on the subject of gratitude, including citing it as one of the four keys to the Gate of Heaven. Why is this? Perhaps the sheer simplicity of gratefulness is large part of this as it is available to all of us at any time. Even in the midst of over busyness, stress and chaos, we can find plenty to be glad about. Take time to stop each day and count your blessings. This can be a prayer or mindfulness mediation, whichever works for you. Yet, this lovely, uncomplicated approach may well change your life.

Studies show-and experts counsel-that gratitude is a key component of our own happiness. People who are grateful about events and experiences from the past, who celebrate the triumphs instead of focusing on the losses or disappointments, tend to be more satisfied in the present. In a lecture, Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh stated, "With all I have experienced in my own life, the power of gratitude stands above everything else. In your mindfulness practice, use gratitude until it becomes your way of life."

Gratitude moves us to do all kinds of things inspired by joy. Gratitude can help us transform our fears into courage, our anger into forgiveness, our isolation into belonging, and another's pain into healing. Saying "Thank you" every day will create feelings of love, compassion, and hope. But the fact is, the art of living-for that is what we speak about when we speak of gratitude-isn't something that comes naturally to most people. Most of us need to work intentionally to increase the intensity, duration, and frequency of positive, grateful feelings-a daunting challenge indeed. But fear not, this workbook is here to help! Inside we have provided you with mindful meditations, hands-on exercises, profound practices, inspiring quotations, space for writing, thought-provoking questions, and even positive "power tools" that will help you build a more grateful life.

From the book:

"Gratitude is one of the loveliest paths to personal growth. It can be subtle; after contemplating what it is to approach your life-thankfulness, you may find that you have the "half-full mindset." Maybe instead of worrying Sunday nights about work and meetings and goals, you relax and remember to be grateful to have work you really enjoy. Next thing you know, your co-workers will pick up on the fact that you were less stressed out and more fun to be around, and your desk becomes on oasis of positivity in the office.. Your family responded in kind, and your home is a calmer, happier place filled with calmer, happier people. Your friends who used to call you and complain about life now call and tell you all the good things happening. That one took a while but your aura of gratefulness eventually took hold and bloomed.

You, my friend, have an attitude of gratitude and are making the world a better place.

Well done, and please allow me to be the first to say thank you. I guarantee you, I won't be the last. I am a big one for setting intentions and do so every morning. I intend you grow and soar in your wisdom and, if some of the ideas, quotes, and suggestions from the "gratitude gurus" included in this book inspire you, all the better."

About the Author

Becca Anderson is a writer, gardener and teacher living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally from Ohio, Becca's background in sustainability and landscaping inspired her to become a part of the seed-saving and seed-sharing community with chapters across the US and Canada. Becca Anderson credits her first grade teacher as a great inspiration and runs several popular classes and workshops including "How to Put Your Passion on Paper." Anderson and is currently at work on a book about the healing power of gardening.