Comment on Thanks and Gratitude 1983 Aug 16

Filed under Thanksgiving - Gratitude

Sri Chinmoy was shown recent notes from a supporter of the Declaration Against Religious Intolerance and draft of The Declaration of World Thanksgiving- 1983.

He inquired while looking at the notes about what it is that was wanted from him. Sri Chinmoy had peviously made reference to this persons “exceptionally fine soul”.

It appeared that this person would now like Sri Chinmoy’s advice and blessings for the 1983 Thanksgiving Declaration.

Sri Chinmoy said:

“Thanksgiving is a good idea.

However, I feel that the word gratitude has more power.

Gratitude to God and gratitude to man.

Everyday we use the word ‘thanks’ but it ceases to have value.

We don’t use ‘gratitude’ so often.

Gratitude is something that we feel rarely, no matter what we do, and it has so much power.”

Sri Chinmoy said the above as he was leaving a meeting at the United Nations.

Some of those present immediately thought of the words and music to his song, ”Wor1d-Gratitude” which had been performed on many occasions at various locations :

“O World Gratitude-Day!

I pray for you I pray.

Man’s feeble climbing ray

Is one with God’s Vision-Play.

Compassion: highest gift.

Gratitude: fastest lift.

Only satisfaction-seed

Can feed man and God’s need. “

In this song, expressions of union between man and God, compassion, gratitude, and mutual satisfaction are presented for the listener with such simplicity and beauty, it was thought that the song might be used to support the concepts behind the Declaration.

Members of the Peace Meditation Group at the UN had already participated in and supported International Days of Thanksgiving and World Gratitude for many years.

See links to specific Thanksgiving And Gratitude Programes below:

A few felt from that association over the years, the understood the feeling that is trying to bring forward, in the deepest sense, is united with the feeling of Gratitude. Some would say , Thanksgiving is the thought of the mind expressed in words, and gratitude is the feeling of the heart expressed in silence.

Another quote of Sri Chinmoy’s came to mind from one of the programmes at Thanks-Giving Square, in Dallas Texas:

“Purity is to the body,

What clarity is to the mind.

Gratitude is to the heart,

What infinity is to the soul.”

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