I pen this post about the gratitude journals going around on Facebook at the moment, with risk of being stoned! There is no doubt that there is great utility in the exercise of writing down what there is to be grateful for. It changes our focus from the things we constantly worry and complain about, to a more positive emotion set of gratitudes.

Studies in fact show, that gratitude journals can increase levels of well being and happiness in patients who are on anti-depressants. Hence, I am aware of  the benefits of gratitude and am not belittling the process of making a gratitude journal.

Years ago we went through the wave of positive thinking. People walked around saying to themselves, “I am happy, I am happy” to the point of neuroticism, whilst deep down lurked the reality of sadness and depression. Positive intentions of happiness, gratitude, compassion, love, kindness and joy  maybe  very much on the level of the mind. Helpful, but not enduring in their utility.

Yoga looks at things a little differently. Once the mind becomes stable and balanced, a different kind of quality to starts to bubble up quite naturally. There is then no need to project or visualise anything. Then you don’t need to focus on love, or gratitude, or kindness. You can approach this state via many paths. Traditional Hata yoga is only one way.

Once the roots of trees are strong and stable, the trunks, the branches, the leaves, the fruits and the flowers come naturally. Real gratitude is like a flower. It is not dependent on anything external. It is just an expression of a healthy inner state.

Focus on the roots, and the flowers will take care of themselves.

In Health and Wellness