First things first: in order to bring tangible results in our life, gratitude should be all-encompassing. In other words, we need to be grateful for all there is, without any exceptions. I do realize that it is a high goal, and not so many of us will achieve it in this lifetime - yet we should always aspire to this ideal. It is far much better to move into the right direction slowly, one step at a time, than not move at all.

The fact is, if we are grateful only for so-called "good" things and experiences, we act much like a farmer that blesses full-grown plants but curses seeds which are still in the ground. But no wise farmer will ever curse seeds. Seeds, once they are planted and properly taken care of, will spring forth, grow, and become fruitful plants.

We mentioned before that gratitude allows us to see that there is an inherent goodness within every person, thing, or event. This goodness might not be evident. Looking at some things, we often label them as "bad", "dangerous", "destructive", and so forth. But could it be that we just don't see them in depth - as they truly are - and because of this we cannot establish proper relationships with them? Could it be that great spiritual teachers of the past were right?

Inherent goodness of all things is the teaching of all mystical traditions. The Baal Shem Tov, a famous Jewish mystic, said:

"There is no act, word or thought in which the essence of divinity is not constricted and hiding.

And so when you look and see with your mind's eye, you will see the inner, life-force aspect of everything, not just its outer, superficial layer. You will see nothing but the divine power inside all things that is giving them life, being and existence at every moment.

And when you listen carefully to the inner voice within any physical sound that you hear, you will hear only the voice of God as, at that moment, it is literally giving life and existence to the sound that you are hearing".

In the gospel of Thomas Jesus says, in essence, the same thing - God is present in all Life. And since God is the ultimate goodness, the same goodness is present everywhere.

"I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained.
Split a piece of wood; I am there.
Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

Mysticism is not about escaping from the world into a realm of illusions. It has nothing to do with despising the world or struggling against it. True mysticism is about loving the world deeper than any materialist could ever do.

A mystic sees no so-called "dead matter". He/she recognizes that every thing is alive and vibrant with God's life. But as the gospel of Thomas suggests, it takes "lifting up stones" and "splitting pieces of wood" to achieve that perception.

Gratitude is the art of directed attention. When we look at certain thing, we might not discern its goodness - but let us look with intensity and an open heart. Let us say to ourselves: "I recognize that this thing is a part of the great Whole. It has its being in God - just like me. I am willing to let go my though patterns and preconceived ideas about thins thing, my resentment to it, and to search for true understanding. Let my inner eyes be enlightened. May I see the presence of God within this thing - the same presence that is within me".

(to be continued)