The Gita & Gratitude — An Epic Tale of Thanksgiving

An ancient sage told of a rich man having all of life's luxuries — money, property, a doting wife, sons who bore him grandsons, adoring daughters, prize-winning steeds, overflowing barns from fruitful harvests. Despite his bounty, he was not happy because of his obsessive, worrisome attitude.  His worry preoccupied his thoughts day and night, causing him untold paranoia and mental anguish. His wife, daughters, and servants began to avoid him for fear of his accusations and confabulations.

Finally, the rich man summoned an Acharya; a spiritual teacher steeped in the wisdom of the day — The Bhagavad Gita. Within minutes of their first meeting, the dilemma was obvious:

The Acharya ventured, “We’ll start with the first chapter of the Gita and complete all 18 chapters in just a few months”.

The rich indignant man said, “Oh no Swamiji. Maybe you don’t understand who I am, how busy I am! Just teach me the most important part as quickly as you can!” 

The patient pedagogue replied, “OK. Just learn the contents of the 18th chapter. It is the summary of the Gita, and it will only take you 18 days!” 

Quite frustrated, the affluent man said, “You don’t understand!  I don’t have 18 days, 18 hours, or even 18 minutes! Teach me something simple, or I’ll expose you as a fraud!” 

Beyond reproach, the Vedic teacher replied simply, “There is one sloka (verse) in the 18th chapter that will give the solution you seek!” 

The clearly conceited man commanded, “One sloka is too much for me, I fear! Give me something simpler.”

The stoic acharya took a deep, slow, conscious breath, and calmly said, “Master this one thing — ‘ma shuchah’! It means, “Do not worry”. 

The man flushed with frustration, as he flew into a rage, “How dare you tell me to not worry when worry is what is ruining my life!” 

The wise teacher imparted, “That is what the Gita is all about. If you want to know how to be free of worry, then you must begin a lifelong practice of thanksgiving. In all things, attach not to the outcome, rather trust that what is happening is divinely and dharmically intended.  Worry not; life happens through you and not to you!” 

The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse dialogue between a warrior prince named Arjuna, and his metaphysical teacher, Krishna, portrayed as a Charioteer (his super consciousness) in an epic metaphoric tale. The setting is a battlefield, which has been interpreted as an allegory for the struggle of human life.

The cliffnote version of this classic tale can serve to guide us out of life’s battles and into a transformational gratitude/thanksgiving practice. 

• The tale begins with Arjuna standing on the edge of a battlefield seeking answers to life’s most compounding questions, and yet when presented with the answers, he continues to question his teacher, Krishna, whom the reader discovers to be Arjuna’s super consciousness or higher power.  From the very first chapter, we are invited to release questioning the messages we get from that ‘small voice within’ (our own personal divine inner charioteer) and to acknowledge the guidance we receive. Simply say, “Thank you!  I acknowledge that insight! I trust my inner charioteer!” The more we acknowledge the spiritual insights; the downloads we get, the more accurately, consistently, and intuitively they will come. 

• Grieve not for those who are not with us this Thanksgiving! Find peace in Sloka 2.12: “There was never a time I did not exist, nor was there ever a time you did not exist.  While we may move in and out of our earthly trappings, we existed before, we exist now, and we will exist again.” The invitation is to live fully in the present moment, knowing that those we have become attached to will exist forever — it is only their form that changes.  As you gather together with friends and family, remember the earthly departed, giving thanks for their heavenly presence.

• According to Chapter 3, Sloka 35, of The Bhagavad Gita about “Karma” Yoga, the great teacher Krishna says, “It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection!” Let your prayer of thanksgiving be something like this: “Thank you for my gifts!  May I have the grace to give the world my best, without comparing or coveting what is another’s! My solemn vow is to not waste my time living someone else’s life!” 

• The 18th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is the longest as it explicates many subjects, including the importance of Bhakti (devotion) to the great I AM of our understanding. Sloka 18:62 says it succinctly, “Surrender exclusively unto the Divine with your whole being. By Divine grace, you will attain perfect peace and the eternal bliss!” 

• The final thanksgiving promise found in Verse 18:78, given to us by Krishna, is: “Wherever the Charioteer (our Higher Power) and we (as the willing Warrior grateful for and dedicated to our destined path) are, there will most certainly be unending opulence, prosperity, righteousness, and victoriousness! Of this, I am certain.” 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the staff and instructors at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. 

** For a deeper dive into The Bhagavad Gita, you can join Scott Taylor and KC Miller for Advanced Yoga Philosophy & Introduction to Meditation beginning March 6, 2024.