As we’ve discussed, a mantra is literally “a tool of the mind.” By repeating a mantra over and over and over again (spiritual teachers say!), it takes hold in our subconscious and subtly shapes our mind. Eknath Easwaran is a huge fan and advocate of mantras. He sold me on their power years ago and I’ve experimented with many but I haven’t really found one that stuck. Until now… I think I might have found my new go-to mantra. Here it is: “Thank you.” As in: “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” Followed by: “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” Followed up by: “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” Repeat. Especially when you find yourself triggered by something (or someone). “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” “Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” It’s kinda weird what happens when I do that. I go from feeling stressed/annoyed/whatever to feeling truly GRATEFUL. I don’t even have to do anything other than kickstart the mantra. After a few reps, my mind comes up with things for which I can be grateful in the midst of whatever might be challenging me. Gratitude just kinda bubbles up. Bubbles of gratitude like: “Thank you for the challenge itself—which is giving me the opportunity to actually practice these ideas.” “Thank you for all the amazing things you have done for me, o’ person who is currently pushing my buttons.” Etc. Etc. Etc. It’s almost weird how powerful it is. Perhaps that’s why Meister Eckhart once said: “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” That’s Today’s +1. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
