Giving Thanks

Before it was subverted into serving the god of economic prosperity Thanksgiving was a time set aside to recognize the benefaction of an abundant Providence. Beneath the disguise of football, turkeys, and the pre-holiday shopping bonanza which has developed over the decades the truth of this day is waiting for our attention. 

Giving thanks is an act of gratitude, a "recognition of present good," and essential to our practice of Translation®. Every translation brings us to a point, more or less clearly grasped, of knowing wholeness, completeness, and fulfillment in the present moment as universally so. The appropriate response to such insight is joyful acceptance and gratitude.

Over the years we have found that one of the most pernicious obstacles to spiritual growth is students' inability to accept present good. Even seasoned translators struggle with this from time to time. We are talking about a good that you do not "manifest". It has nothing at all to do with your desires, your goals, whatever visions you may have of the perfect life. The good we are referring to here is something you lay claim to. It is an all-encompassing reality that awaits your recognition and dynamic acceptance.

Years ago, in a business context, I was part of a group meeting with a Baptist minister. One of our group, not understanding Baptist theology, addressed the man as "Reverend." He received what seemed like a very practiced reply, "No man is reverend." In a tradition of sinfulness who can lay claim to an innate and ever-present good ?

The Prosperos teaches that so-called sin is misperception and that our innate Being - and the Being of all there is - is the presence of Divine Reality. In the Allness of Divine Being every person is reverend.

Thanksgiving is celebrated one day of an entire year. I invite you to make every day, in some way, a day of thanksgiving - a day of recognizing the presence of Divine Being filling all of your world with goodness - awaiting your willing acceptance.