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gratitude
gratitude is a Positive emotion that involves feeling and expressing appreciation for what we have in life, whether it is a tangible gift, a thoughtful act, or a valuable experience. This can help us connect to the larger universe and find meaning and purpose in our existence. According to some researchers, it is one of the self-transcendent emotions that can foster a sense of belonging and altruism toward others and is an aspirational quality for self-transcendence. It can also enhance our connection with nature, as it makes us more aware of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and more motivated to protect it.
In psychology, gratitude is considered both a trait and a state. As a trait, it refers to the tendency to be grateful across situations and time. As a state, it refers to the momentary feeling of thanks in response to a specific event or stimulus. Both the trait and state of gratitude have been linked to various benefits for physical and mental health, such as lower stress, higher wellbeing, and greater happiness. This can be cultivated through various practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal, writing gratitude letters, or expressing thanks verbally or non-verbally to others. By practising it regularly, we can strengthen our positive emotions and our relationships with ourselves, others, and nature.
gratitude and self-transcendence
The relationship between gratitude and transcendence is a topic that has been explored by many researchers and practitioners of positive psychology. It is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for the benefits and gifts that one receives from others or from life itself. Transcendence is a feeling of elevation and inspiration that comes from connecting to something larger and more meaningful than oneself, such as nature, spirituality, or humanity.
One way to understand the relationship between gratitude and transcendence is to consider how they both enhance our connection to nature. According to some studies, expressing gratitude can increase our positive emotions of self-transcendence, such as awe, wonder, and joy. These emotions can then foster a sense of belonging and harmony with the natural world, which can motivate us to protect and care for it. For example, one experiment found that participants who wrote a letter of gratitude to someone who had helped them in their lives reported higher levels of self-transcendence and connection to nature than those who wrote about their daily activities. They also expressed more willingness to participate in environmental protection and sacrifice for the environment.
Another way to understand the relationship with transcendence is to consider how they both reflect our awareness of the sources of goodness in our lives. It helps us recognize that we are not self-sufficient or isolated, but rather dependent on and supported by others and by life itself. Transcendence helps us recognize that we are not separate or superior, but rather part of and humble before something greater and more profound than ourselves. Both gratitude and transcendence can help us overcome our egoism and narcissism, and cultivate a more compassionate and altruistic attitude toward others and the world.
In summary, gratitude and transcendence are two related concepts that can enrich our lives and enhance our well-being. By practising gratitude, we can experience more positive emotions of self-transcendence, which can strengthen our connection to nature and inspire us to act in more pro-environmental ways. By experiencing transcendence, we can increase our awareness of the sources of goodness in our lives, which can foster more gratitude and generosity toward others and the world.
Methods of achieving gratitude
Transcendence theory is a psychological approach that suggests that people can achieve gratitude by transcending their personal concerns and connecting with something greater than themselves. According to this theory, gratitude is not just a feeling of appreciation for what one has, but also a recognition of the interdependence and interconnectedness of all beings and phenomena. Some methods of achieving gratitude via transcendence theory are:
- Meditation: Meditation is a practice of focusing one’s attention on a chosen object, such as the breath, a mantra, or a Positive emotion. This can help people cultivate a sense of awareness, calmness, and compassion, as well as reduce stress and negative emotions. It can also help people experience moments of transcendence, where they feel a sense of oneness with the present moment and all that exists within it.
- Nature: Nature is a source of beauty, wonder, and awe that can inspire gratitude in people. Nature can also remind people of their place in the larger scheme of things and their connection to the natural world. Spending time in nature can help people appreciate the gifts and blessings of life, as well as the fragility and preciousness of it.
- Service: Service is an act of giving to others without expecting anything in return. Service can help people express their gratitude for what they have by sharing it with others who are in need. This can also help people transcend their ego and self-interest and feel a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It can foster a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world and to be part of something bigger than oneself.
gratitude in the present moment
gratitude for the moment is an ideal part of transcendence because it helps us to rise above our ordinary worries and concerns and connect with something bigger and more meaningful than ourselves. Transcendence is a feeling of awe, wonder, and inspiration that can be triggered by various experiences, such as nature, art, music, or spirituality. When we are grateful for the moment, we are more likely to notice and appreciate these transcending moments and feel a sense of joy and fulfilment. gratitude also helps us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and cultivate hope for the future. By being thankful for what we have and what we can do, we can overcome negativity and pessimism and embrace our potential. gratitude for the moment is therefore a powerful way to enhance our well-being and happiness through transcendence.
One of the goals of transcendence is to achieve a state of awareness and appreciation for the present moment, regardless of the circumstances. This is what we call gratitude, and it is a powerful tool for enhancing our well-being and happiness. This helps us to focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, and to recognize the gifts and opportunities that life offers us. It also fosters a sense of connection and compassion for ourselves and others, as we acknowledge the interdependence and value of all beings. Cultivating a permanent state of gratitude is not easy, but it is worth striving for. It requires constant practice and mindfulness, as well as a willingness to challenge our negative thoughts and emotions. By doing so, we can gradually shift our perspective and attitude towards life, and experience more joy and fulfilment in every moment.
Further reading
Here are some weblinks that explore gratitude in relation to self-transcendence:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201511/how-gratitude-leads-happier-life
This article explains how gratitude can lead to a happier life by increasing positive emotions, reducing stress, and promoting self-transcendence. It also provides some tips on how to cultivate gratitude in daily life.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain
This article summarizes the findings of a recent study that showed how gratitude can change the brain and behaviour. It also discusses how gratitude can enhance self-transcendence by activating the brain regions associated with social bonding and moral cognition.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01991/full
This article reports the results of an experiment that tested the effects of gratitude on self-transcendence and altruism. It found that gratitude increased both self-transcendence and altruistic behaviour, and that self-transcendence mediated the relationship between gratitude and altruism.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886918306183
This article examines the role of gratitude in spiritual well-being and self-transcendence. It suggests that gratitude can facilitate spiritual well-being by enhancing one’s sense of connectedness, meaning, and transcendence. It also proposes a model of how gratitude influences self-transcendence through positive affect and spirituality.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257055
This article explores the link between gratitude and self-transcendence in a sample of older adults. It shows that gratitude was positively associated with self-transcendence, and that this association was mediated by positive affect and life satisfaction.
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