<< Acts of gratitude

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in a retreat focused on “the Jesus prayer”. This is a contemplative prayer methodology that from what I understand is rooted in eastern traditions of contemplation and meditation.

There’s a myriad of religious practices and principles that emphasize meditative exercises not only as a form of mind cleansing but as a way to open up and be more attentive to God’s guidance. I will however, concentrate on the method I was introduced to and why I believe it of value in everyday life.

We can find many references to breath in the bible (particularly in the book of Job). Job 33,4 for example states; 

For the spirit of God made me, The breath of the almighty keeps me alive.

There’s something humbling in the idea that life (through breath) is in itself a constant gift from the divinity, And the Jesus prayer, which takes upon the natural rhythm of breath (Inhaling/Exhaling/Apnea), guides the mind into focusing on the wonder of breath in its own and imprints a sense of gratitude on our most fundamental physiological action that can hardly be experienced by other methodologies. 

In a sense there’s many parallels between physical act and the principles of mindfulness; yet the Jesus prayer takes this one step further and allows much more easily to enter a state of gratitude. 

In today’s society and under our hectic lifestyles which demand constant production, competition and updating, it is quite liberating to be able to reduce all of our life tensions to the next breath. This feeling, coupled with an attitude of gratefulness, heals the spirit and (at least in my experience) eases daily tensions. 

It is quite difficult at times to simply hold on into life as we know it. We tend to spend endless hours, day in and day out, tormenting ourselves with useless struggles.

I would say it’s important to remember some days that nothing of what we have gathered is taken to the grave. Nothing of worth at least.

There isn’t anything with more value than our own life.

We should not live life gathering mounds of sand and dust, because then that will become our legacy. 

What good is it to wake up from this illusion and realize how worthless is everything we've done?

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