“Thanksgiving and praise open in your consciousness the way for spiritual growth and supply to come to you. Spirit pushes itself out into visible manifestation as soon as a channel is opened through which It can flow. You should be thankful for everything at all times. Realize that all power to think, and speak, and act comes from God, and that He is with you now, guiding and inspiring you.”
~Paramahansa Yogananda
The above quote is a Thanksgiving message from Yogananda. As we enter the holiday season it is a good reminder for us, especially this year when we might be focused on what we have lost – on what we would like to do but cannot. When we dwell in our memories of past celebrations and regret that we cannot do that this year, we miss the blessings of the present moment. We block the channel through which Spirit can flow into our life.
When we change our focus from this sense of loss to one of thankfulness, we open to the life enhancing flow of grace in our lives. Practicing thankfulness or gratitude is not just about being grateful for particular people or things that we like but rather it is a change in how we look at the world. We move away from the ego’s likes and dislikes and experience the world through the eyes of the soul. When we are anchored in the soul, we realize what brings us lasting happiness.
As you prepare for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, join me in letting go of any attachment you may have to the way you want things to be and make room for what is. Only then can we open our hearts with thanksgiving and allow Spirit to flow. Yogacharya reminds us, “Gratitude comes when we let go. When we cease fighting what is, the glory of what can be emerges.”
Rev. Nita Shankari Kenyon