Sound Bath Gratitude
Here’s what was said about the Thanksgiving Gratitude Sound Bath:
“Thank you for returning to the valley and presenting the Thanksgiving Gratitude Sound Bath at Forward Fold studio. It is such a warm, cozy, and spiritual place where I could find peace, and a place to rest and feel safety in this chaotic world!”
“ I was not sure what a sound bath was. I thought we would be washed or something!!! Little did I know that my entire body was washed with sounds that were so out of this world, that all I know is that I felt so peaceful and calm when the class was over, ” said a woman who was there for the first time.
“I was not aware that Judaism celebrates a monthly time, when the moon is just a sliver of light. The dark sky is the opportunity to use the darkness as a place of potential, to let go of last month and invite a new attitude and a new appreciation of life,” said another gentleman.
His wife said, “This class was filled with Jewish teachings about how at my Thanksgiving table this year, I could deepen my gratitude for all that I have. I want to be around the Jewish people now more than ever, and bring some hopeful discussion.”
I also want to share the uplifting message that I offered at the November Sound bath because I know it will help you as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
Each month is an opportunity to begin anew and set an intention. Setting an intention is like a prayer, and will connect you to the possibility of becoming your higher self. For example, my intention this month is to lead with my heart, and have more fun with all that I have. By stopping, taking that pause to set the intention with my spiritual communities, I found that my month stayed on track. I am profoundly reminded that I have the “power to choose” what I will bring to any situation.
There are many stresses that gather momentum at this time of year such as tresses of crowds, travel, the airport conundrum, what to wear, what fits, what to cook, who to invite, coping with disappointments and cancellations, worrying about money to name a few. These anxieties are very real and cannot always be avoided. But you do have power, if you take the time to prepare your psyche.
This is a month of Gratitude, or as we call it, Thanksgiving, which when practiced has the power to build you and give you real spiritual nourishment.
According to Alan Moranis, in his book Everyday Holiness, he shares a Jewish perspective on gratitude. The Hebrew word for gratitude is hakarat ha’tov, which means “recognizing the good.” Gratitude is something you must practice, and it means calling to mind and being fully aware of the good that is already yours. Even if you lost your job, or your pay check was cut, you may still have your family or health, and that is the good that is already yours.
If you are in a wheelchair and can’t move around, but your mind is sharp and working, this good is already yours. If you house burns down but you still have memories, this good is still yours. When you open yourself to the experience of appreciation (gratitude), you can begin by telling yourself or another human being all that is good in your life. As you go through your list, (3 times at least), you will notice deeper levels of how much good is there. Sometimes gratitude can be found, but not felt because it is rote; and that kind of gratitude will not nourish you, it will stay on the surface.
There is a heavy cloud hovering over our world right now, that is very real. I find it especially hard to break through the overcast mood to find gratitude, without sounding like Pollyanna.
I know from experience, “recognizing the good”, affirms life, gives hope, and frees my heart. It is true, there is no limit to what we lack, or what we think we are entitled to, or what we take for granted and that it why we constantly have to press the refresh button and accurately note what is good. Therefore, pay attention when someone makes room for you to merge in traffic, or smiles at you for no apparent reason because you are being fed seeds of gratitude.
The Chassidic teacher Rebbe Nachman of Bretzlov, says, “Gratitude rejoices with her sister, Joy, and is ready to light a candle and have a party. Gratitude does not like old cronies of boredom, despair and taking life for granted.”
I hope you will share some of this wisdom or at least go around your Thanksgiving table more than once to get a double portion of Gratitude. What is “good” in your life?
