The Importance of Gratitude in Kundalini Yoga
The power of gratitude is central to the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Each day, you have countless opportunities to practice being grateful in small and significant ways. As you start leading a yogic lifestyle, you should also begin your journey of gratitude.
Within the realms of Kundalini Yoga, it is believed that everything we have comes from the Universe, or the One. For that reason, we should be thankful for everything that comes our way. While it may be hard to understand, that means that we should be grateful for both the challenges we come up against and the many gifts that life has to give us.
Needless to say, when you are new to the practice, gratefulness will not come to you naturally. For many of us, we have grown up to believe that life is unfair. That means that we rile against the things we see as unjust. However, to be truly at peace, we must accept all that comes our way. Even the obstacles offer us something; a chance to learn.
As you start making this important change in your life, you will notice that there are many benefits of gratitude. In changing your outlook, you can transform the way that you feel about the world around you. Here’s how to practice gratitude in your everyday life.
The Benefits of Gratitude
Ahead of looking at how to practice gratitude, it’s important to understand the benefits that you may reap. With that in mind, here are some of the rewards you can expect:
- Boosts self-esteem
- Offers mental clarity
- Relaxes the mind
- Improves sleep quality
- Enhances feelings of empathy
The sooner you start to encourage more gratitude in your life, the sooner you will experience these benefits. You should start small and make positive changes that will lead you on the path toward becoming more grateful and joyous.
How to Practice Gratitude
Bringing a little more gratitude into your lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard. You can start by trying a couple of tiny things that could make all the difference. If you’ve been wondering how to practice gratitude, try these tips to get you started:
Start noticing the small things
What are the small things that make you smile? It might be the smell of freshly-brewed coffee in the morning or the way that your partner makes you laugh. These things are not insignificant. They are part of the beauty of your life. Notice them whenever you can.
Savor every moment
If you lead a busy life, you may struggle to stop and savor the moment. However, learning to be present in the moment will help boost your overall gratitude. For example, when you are eating a meal, turn off the TV and simply enjoy the flavors of the food.
Keep a gratitude journal
At the end of each day, take just a few minutes to write down what you’re grateful for. You might want to make a list, for example, of all the things that have made you happy today. Getting into this mindful habit will help you notice all the reasons your life is exceptional.
The Takeaway!
Start being more grateful today. When you begin on this pathway, you will notice that it causes a positive chain reaction in every aspect of your life. What are you thankful for?
