Gratitude: Entering Sacred Relationship, with Tara Brach

Recent questions

• How do you make classic spaghetti carbonara?

  To make classic spaghetti carbonara, start by boiling 200g of spaghetti for 10 minutes. In a separate pan, fry 100g of pancetta until crispy. In a bowl, whisk together 2 eggs with 50g of grated Parmesan cheese. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it and mix it with the crispy pancetta. Add the egg and cheese mixture to the spaghetti and pancetta, stirring until the sauce becomes creamy. Season with black pepper, and serve the dish hot.

• What is the story told by James Agee during the Great Depression?

  The story told by James Agee during the Great Depression revolves around an impoverished elderly woman living in Appalachia. This woman resided in a tiny shack with dirt floors and lacked basic amenities like heat and plumbing. When asked what she would do if given money, her response was to give it to the poor. This story teaches a valuable lesson about true happiness being connected to our perceptions of life events, emphasizing the importance of generosity and selflessness.

• What is the reflection on the holiday season and its historical significance?

  The reflection on the holiday season delves into living from love, gratitude, and acceptance during this time. It acknowledges the societal anger, agitation, and division that can arise during the holidays, as well as the pain behind cultural traditions like overconsumption and animal cruelty. The narrative also honors indigenous peoples, particularly the Nacotchtanks and Piscataway peoples, highlighting the tragic history of indigenous populations being killed and forcibly removed by white Europeans. It emphasizes the need to embrace others regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, while also raising awareness about the climate emergency and the importance of sacred relationships and actions.

• What is the relationship between wealth and generosity?

  Research shows that there is a relationship between wealth and generosity, with poorer individuals often displaying more generosity. Wealth can sometimes lead to social isolation and a lack of sharing, hindering one's ability to express gratitude and experience joy. Negative messages about pleasure and gratitude can also impact one's ability to appreciate life fully. The story of James Whistler is cited as an example of the importance of gratitude in living a fulfilling life, emphasizing the need to express gratitude out loud and in writing, as well as the practice of savoring moments of gratitude and expressing them verbally.

• How can one cultivate gratitude in life?

  Cultivating gratitude in life involves various practices, such as bringing presence and compassion to difficult moments to foster gratitude. Expressing gratitude out loud, writing it down, and pausing to breathe with moments of appreciation can deepen the experience of gratitude. The story of a man finding gratitude and joy after a cancer diagnosis and amputation illustrates the transformative power of gratitude in challenging circumstances. Additionally, practices like guided meditation on gratitude, sharing what one is grateful for in a group setting, and reflecting on different aspects of life to be grateful for, such as family, friends, diversity, and peace in relationships, can help individuals cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation in their lives.