In this meditation, I continue our series on gratitude by turning our attention towards the beauty of creation and the world in which we live.
We begin by settling into the body and breath, receiving this time of meditation as a pause and a gift. As we breathe, we become aware of our continual exchange with the world around us — receiving what we need for life and giving back through each breath.
Gradually, awareness expands towards the earth beneath us, the sky above us and the extraordinary variety of life with which we share the world. We contemplate sunrise and sunset, the changing seasons, plants, animals and the great web of life of which we ourselves are a part.
Gratitude, however, is not simply appreciation. As we become more conscious of the beauty of creation, we can also ask what responsibility comes with receiving that gift and how our awareness might shape the way we care for the world around us.
This meditation offers a practice of gratitude, wonder and connection, inviting us to notice the beauty that is already present and to carry that awareness more consciously into daily life.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Gratitude for creation
00:41 – Opening bell
00:55 – Entering meditation with gratitude
01:48 – Resting in the breath
03:02 – Our exchange with creation
03:48 – Earth below and sky above
04:37 – The extraordinary variety of life
05:11 – Entering the great web of life
06:13 – Our connection with all beings
06:58 – Sunrise, sunset and everyday beauty
07:57 – Remembering moments of wonder
08:32 – Gratitude and responsibility
09:43 – Protecting the beauty we receive
10:59 – Breathing in gratitude and wonder
12:28 – Resolving to notice beauty
13:13 – Closing bell