Do you know the word for thanks in Spanish or Italian? In Spanish we say Gracias and Italian,‘Grazie for thanks. These are from the Latin gratias. Gratias is translated as “thanks” But it is really means “grace”
Grace is an infusion of divine holiness. So having gratitude - recognizes the holiness underlying everything for which we are grateful. All of these words: gratitude, grateful, gracias - teach us that everything is a gift, everything is holy! The creation story in the Jewish book of Genesis celebrates this original grace. The Creator says that all things, including us, are “very good”, that is - full of grace.
Perhaps most universal among spiritual practices is bowing. In qigong, tai chi and aikido, we always begin and end with a bow. Bowing is a way of practicing gratitude, respect, appreciation and gratitude. In the Celtic Christian tradition, men tip their hats and bow and women curtsey to the rising sun and to the rising moon. Since COVID began and handshaking became more risky, I have begun to tip my hat or slightly bow to people. Maybe it’s because of my many years of Asian martial arts and qigong training.
So I bow to you in thanksgiving. And maybe tonight, or tomorrow, you will bow in gratitude to the moon and sun as they rise and set as a reminder of the grace that surrounds us and infuses us with holiness.
Grace is an infusion of divine holiness. So having gratitude - recognizes the holiness underlying everything for which we are grateful. All of these words: gratitude, grateful, gracias - teach us that everything is a gift, everything is holy! The creation story in the Jewish book of Genesis celebrates this original grace. The Creator says that all things, including us, are “very good”, that is - full of grace.
Perhaps most universal among spiritual practices is bowing. In qigong, tai chi and aikido, we always begin and end with a bow. Bowing is a way of practicing gratitude, respect, appreciation and gratitude. In the Celtic Christian tradition, men tip their hats and bow and women curtsey to the rising sun and to the rising moon. Since COVID began and handshaking became more risky, I have begun to tip my hat or slightly bow to people. Maybe it’s because of my many years of Asian martial arts and qigong training.
So I bow to you in thanksgiving. And maybe tonight, or tomorrow, you will bow in gratitude to the moon and sun as they rise and set as a reminder of the grace that surrounds us and infuses us with holiness.
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