Honoring Our Roots: Embracing Gratitude and Compassion

How do we truly honor the roots from which we come, both familial and spiritual? In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode, we immerse ourselves in the profound teachings of Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, who invites us to bow to our ancestors—acknowledging the wisdom, love, and challenges they've passed down. As we read through Thich Nhat Hanh's poignant prayers, we uncover the beauty in embracing gratitude and compassion, not only for those who have paved our paths but for the land and communities that sustain us. From recognizing our blood relatives to connecting with spiritual mentors and historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Dorothy Day, we are reminded of the interconnected web that shapes our existence.

Join us as we reflect on the power of understanding and transformation, channeling these energies towards healing ourselves and the world around us. Whether you're gathering with family or spending the holiday in solitude, this episode encourages us to open our hearts to others—even those who've caused pain—by sending out love and understanding. It's about reconciling with our past to foster a more joyful and peaceful future. As we pause to appreciate the land we inhabit and the legacy it carries, let's transform gratitude from a feeling into a daily practice. Warmest Thanksgiving wishes to all our listeners.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:24

Well, happy Thanksgiving. There's so much to be grateful for in this world, and this evening I'd just like to share something with you from my reading in Thich Nhat Hanh, who is a Buddhist master and speaks to us about gratitude. So I'm going to go ahead and read it the five prayers In gratitude I bow to all generations of ancestors in my blood family. I see my mother and father, whose blood, flesh and vitality are circulating in my own veins and nourishing every cell in me Through them. I see my four grandparents. I carry in me the life, blood, experience, wisdom, happiness and sorrow of all generations. I open my heart, flesh and bones to receive the energy of insight, love and experience transmitted to me by my ancestors. I know that parents always love and support their children and grandchildren, although they are not always able to express it skillfully because of difficulties they encounter. As a continuation of my ancestors, I allow their energy to flow through me and ask for their support, protection and strength. In gratitude, I bow to all generations of ancestors in my spiritual family. I see in myself my teachers, the ones who show me the way of love and understanding, the way to breathe, smile, forgive and live deeply in the present moment I see the patriarchs and matriarchs as my teachers and also as my spiritual ancestors. I open my heart and my body to receive the energy of understanding, loving, kindness and protection from the awakened ones, their teachings and the community of practice of many generations. I vow to practice to transform the suffering in myself and in the world and to transmit their energy to future generations of practitioners. My spiritual ancestors may have had their own difficulties and not always been able to transmit the teachings, but I accept them as they are.

Speaker 1: 2:54

And in the third gratitude he writes in gratitude, I bow to this land and all of the ancestors who made it available. I see that I am whole, protected, nourished by this land and all the living beings that have been here and made life worthwhile and possible for me through all of their efforts. I see Chief Seattle, thomas Jefferson, dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez, martin Luther King Jr and all the others, known and unknown. I see those who have worked hard to build schools, hospitals, bridges and roads, to protect human rights, to develop science and technology and to fight for freedom and social justice. I see myself touching my ancestors of Native American origin who have lived on this land for such a long time and know the ways to live in peace and harmony with nature, protecting the mountains, forests, animals, vegetation and minerals of this land. I feel the energy of this land penetrating my body and soul, supporting and accepting me. I vow to cultivate and maintain this energy and transmit it to future generations. I vow to contribute my part in transforming the violence, hatred and delusion that still lie deep in the consciousness of this society, so that future generations will have more safety, joy and peace.

Speaker 1: 4:24

I ask this land for its protection and support. In gratitude and compassion, I bow down and transmit my energy to those I love. All the energy I've received I now want to transmit to my father, my mother, everyone I love and all who have suffered and worried because of me and for my sake. I know I have not been mindful enough in my daily life. I also know that those who love me have had their own difficulties. They have suffered because they were not lucky enough to have an environment that encouraged their full development. I want all of them to be healthy and joyful. I pray that all ancestors in my blood and spiritual families will focus their energies toward each of them to protect and support them. I am one with those I love.

Speaker 1: 5:20

And finally he goes on to write in understanding and compassion, I bow down to reconcile myself with all those who have made me suffer. I open my heart and send forth my energy of love and understanding to everyone who has made me suffer, to those who have destroyed much of my life and the lives of those I love. I know now that these people have themselves undergone a lot of suffering and that their hearts are overloaded with pain, anger and hatred. I pray that they can be transformed to experience the joy of living, so that they will not continue to make themselves and others suffer. I see their suffering and do not want to hold any feelings of hatred or anger in myself toward them. I do not want them to suffer. I channel my energy of love and understanding to them and ask all my ancestors to help them.

Speaker 1: 6:22

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, my dear listeners. I hope you enjoyed this beautiful excerpt from the Five Earth Touchings by Thich Nhat Hanh. I'm Lisa Hopkins. Thanks so much for listening. Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and remember to live in the moment.