Gratitude has always been familiar to me; I’ve been a happy-go-lucky person for most of my life. I’m an optimist by nature! As a longtime student of A Course in Miracles, I consciously choose to be “miracle ready,” which means staying in a state of gratitude and readiness as a daily practice.
It wasn’t until I traveled to India that I understood gratitude on a deep, visceral level. Imagine traveling for more than 30 hours with little sleep, only to arrive at a modest ashram in Mulvu, India. We were assigned to a camp-style dorm room equipped with low metal cots and packed-down futon mattresses. The “shower” was a simple pipe emerging from the wall about two feet off the floor, with a blue plastic bucket beneath a rusty faucet. A dipper cup hung from the bucket’s rim. And yes—there was a small plastic stool on which to crouch while using what was affectionately known as “the bath bucket.” It was clear that warm—let alone hot—showers were not among the amenities.
Luckily, I entered the trip with a yogic attitude: experience the sensations and choose not to suffer. “Modest and humble” would be generous words to describe our accommodations. Yet, they were exactly as advertised; it was an ashram, and we got what we signed up for.
Our days began with ritual gratitude as we attended a worship ceremony known as Aarti, in which flashes of light are offered to the Divine using lit oil in a simple silver tray. Aarti is an expression of gratitude, prayers, and reverence toward deities, elders, teachers, and the Divine.
The Aarti ceremony is beautifully symbolic. The tray holding the fire is moved in a clockwise circular motion facing the altar. After each circle, when the tray reaches the bottom, the person performing the ceremony waves it backward while remaining in place. Aarti represents our daily activities revolving around the Divine, the teachings we live by, and our intentions for the day. It is a spiritual discipline that keeps the Divine at the center of everything and reminds us that worldly pursuits are secondary.
This understanding helps yogis withstand unexpected grief, remain humble, and stay connected to the Divine—especially during moments of joy. Aarti also symbolizes the self: we are like the lighted wick, and our internal Light can chase away darkness when paired with daily gratitude and thanksgiving.
On our first day, a senior assistant explained that she uses morning Aarti as her personal gratitude practice; during the light ceremony and chanting, she sits in stillness, counts her blessings, and releases restless thoughts—what she calls “mental modifications.” I immediately adopted her approach.
We shared this ceremony with local residents who modeled humility, reverence, and daily gratitude. At the end, participants approached the altar, bowed, and applied a rice paste to their forehead, leaving an auspicious red mark. Many of us did the same, anointing our third eye with what I came to call “the mark of gratitude!” As the morning rites ended, a dozen local men hurried off to prepare our organic vegan breakfast. We recognized them first by their red rice dots and, after a few days, by their warm, knowing smiles.
A graceful rhythm emerged. Although the tastes and textures of the food were foreign, the experience of being lovingly cared for began filling holes many of us didn’t even know were there. I found myself weeping during Aarti and often again as the humble men served us food harvested from their own fields—prepared with their hands and their open hearts. Each day brought physical asana practice, followed by Yoga Nidra, a form of guided meditation. The core activity was sitting upright for hours as our teachers shared wisdom from the Yoga Sutra and other Vedic stories.
It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? It was, however, all the sitting took a toll on my body. I began craving “real” coffee and familiar foods. Homesickness crept in. I wanted my own bed, pillow, and—yes—a hot bath. My monkey mind began to run wild, teetering between mild grumbling and simmering frustration. Gratitude became harder to find.
Five days into the immersion, I decided to skip the evening activity and retreat to my room for solitude and journaling. That night, as I braced myself for a cold bucket bath, I sat on the plastic stool and reached for the faucet—only to be stunned as hot water poured from the pipe. It took several moments for me to register that the water was hot enough to scald. After adjusting it, I began to shake—not from cold—from deep humility. Gratitude coursed through me. Never had I experienced the Divine embrace in such a visceral way. I wept; gratitude filled every pore of my being.
My gratitude practice is now forever rooted in the sacred ritual of Aarti. Each morning, I rise with the sun and find my way to an altar—sometimes in my home’s meditation room, sometimes on a mountain trail with my dog, and sometimes in spirit, to the hallowed basement of the Holy Temple at the ashram. As dawn breaks, a gentle chant escapes my lips, and gratitude flows through me like warm water, showering me with light and love.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I reflect on that profound experience—an emotion that still resonates deeply within me. It is a sensation I hope to carry always. As Yoga Sutra 1.21 so beautifully teaches: “For those who have an intense urge for Spirit and wisdom, it sits next to them, waiting to shower them with gratitude and grace.”
G: Ground Yourself
Center yourself before beginning your gratitude ritual. Grounding may involve deep breathing, connecting with nature, or simply becoming present. Create an altar—whether a quiet corner, a windowside chair, or an outdoor sanctuary—decorated with items that evoke gratitude.
R: Reflect and Set a Time
Choose a consistent time each day for your gratitude ritual. Sunrise, sunset, or any meaningful moment will do. Consistency deepens connection.
A: Affirm and Express
Use your voice to express gratitude—through affirmations, chanting, or spoken appreciation. Honor the blessings big and small.
T: Tune In
Engage your senses. Light a candle, play soft music, burn incense, or incorporate gentle movement. Make your ritual a full-body, full-spirit experience.
I: Invite Stillness
Sit in quiet reflection. Visualize your blessings as radiant light expanding through and beyond you.
T: Tend Toward Togetherness
Invite family, friends, or community members to join you. Sharing gratitude amplifies its power.
U: Unleash Kindness
Extend gratitude outward. Write thank-you notes, volunteer, or perform random acts of kindness. Create a “kindness jar” to inspire ongoing giving.
D: Deepen the Connection
Look for ways to expand your gratitude practice—journaling, praying for others, or offering small gifts that encourage reflection.
E: Embrace the Journey
Gratitude is a lifelong practice. Some days will overflow with appreciation; others will challenge you. Both are teachers. Let gratitude guide and transform you.
As you cultivate your own gratitude practice and embrace the journey of spiritual awakening, remember that you don’t have to walk this path alone. At SWIHA, we honor the same traditions of mindfulness, service, and self-inquiry that shaped my experience in India. If you feel called to deepen your understanding of yoga, meditation, energy work, or holistic healing—or to support others on their transformative journeys—I warmly invite you to explore the programs we offer. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or professional training, SWIHA provides a sacred space to learn, evolve, and step more fully into your own inner Light. Let your curiosity guide you, and allow gratitude to be the compass that leads you to your next soulful adventure.