On Gratitude and Ritual

The Fall Practice Period has begun! We have had 25 people attending the classes and meeting in small groups as a way to share our Buddhist practice. We are looking into the aspects of practice in a home setting.

 
As we talked about gratitude in the first class, I was moved by how many realized that feelings of boredom, anger and grief show up while trying to express gratitude. These feelings can cause a sense of failure and push me to stay away from gratitude. While I believe that these are acceptable feelings, they can be immobilizing. How do I get out of this conundrum when I want to find healing through gratitude?

 
Recently, I attended a class on ritual provided by Paula Arai based on her book, Bringing Zen Home, The Healing Heart of Japanese Women’s Rituals. I was inspired as I considered that enacting short rituals in the home is a vehicle to traverse boredom, anger and grief. In other words, suffering. What is an example of ritual? At sunset every night, I will put my palms together, take 10 deep breaths, look carefully at the twilight, and say/think “this earth spinning around the sun supports life.”
In consistent, wholehearted ritual, these elements arise; interrelatedness, nurturing self, enjoying the moment, acceptance, expanded perspective, and embodied compassion. I invite you to develop your own ritual and check it out.

Reach out if you have any questions about Practice Period: fuku@cloudsinwater.org

May your life go well, 

Rev. Fukutoku Ann Morishita, Priest and Teacher-ryo Member