Dr. Vijai S Shankar MD.PhD.
Published on www.academy-advaita.com
The Netherlands

18 March 2018

Gratitude

“Understanding”


Gratitude means a quality of being thankful. Being thankful usually implies to another human being. This is a superficial understanding of gratitude. A deep understanding of gratitude reveals the wisdom of gratitude and being thankful.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is temporary; a requisite of social etiquette.  This type of gratitude remains for a few days at the most.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is absent when the other does not respond or react as expected. This absence of gratitude remains for a few days at the most as well.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is absent when the other does not behave as expected. This absence of gratitude remains for a few days at the most as well.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is absent when the other does not offer favours anymore as expected. This absence of gratitude remains for a few days at the most as well.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is not permanent in every moment of daily life. The gratitude is dependent on conditions being present.

The superficial understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful to another, is absent when life becomes difficult to live, not only for oneself, but also for one to live with another.

So what could be the deep understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful, is the question?

The deep understanding of gratitude, meaning being thankful, is that gratitude is permanent in every moment. This is despite how one responds, reacts or behaves, whether one offers favours or not. It is unconditional, no matter how difficult life is to live.

More importantly, gratitude, meaning being thankful, is for the moment in life, no matter what the moment has within it. This is because you understand that the moment is not made by man.

More importantly, there is gratitude, meaning being thankful, when you understand that life is as it is and cannot be other than what it is in the moment. You will then be able to live life as it is in any moment.

Man, with a deep understanding of life and mind, is grateful that he is alive in the moment in life. He understands that it is the intelligence in life which makes the moment and also keeps him alive in the moment.

Author: Dr. Vijai S. Shankar
© Copyright V. S. Shankar 2018

Editor’s Note:
Innumerable means of human communication and the sharing of ideas and opinions have evolved to this day. The use of these means extends from the children to the elderly alike. The content of what is communicated covers a wide range of understanding and experience. What is common to these, no matter the context, is the moment within which they exist. Actions and events, no matter the context, also share the moment in which they exist. The deep understanding of the wise, as revealed in this article, indicates that the moment in life and whatever is within it, including your own existence and mine, is made by the intelligence of life. Sharing this understanding is gratitude itself.
Julian Capper, UK.

German Translator’s Note: 
The enlightened share an understanding of life which prevails in every moment of daily life, even in the most difficult situations for the mind. Therefore gratitude to the enlightened is permanent and does not end in their physical or mental absence. Otherwise it would be dependency. The one who understands deeply is totally independent from anything, and from wisdom itself. Wisdom being shared is the only help which helps to be free from the need of any further help. This is gratitude to life, because wisdom evolves in man and woman, and does not belong to anybody. 
Marcus Stegmaier, Germany.

back to articles page