The Buddha's Guide to Gratitude: The Life-changing Power of Every Day Mindfulness

by Becca Anderson

Find Happiness in Gratitude

The four keys to the Gate of Heaven: As it turns out, Buddha had quite a lot to say on the subject of gratitude, including citing it as one of the four keys to the Gate of Heaven. Why is this? Perhaps the sheer simplicity of gratefulness is a key, as it is available to all of us at any time. Even in the midst of over-busyness, stress, and chaos, we can find plenty to be glad about, and The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude will start your journey towards Zen and gratefulness.

Count your blessings: According to Buddha, “You have no cause for anything but gratitude and joy.” Being thankful is one of the most powerful tools we humans have to attain peace of mind and happiness. Take time each day and count your blessings. This can be done with a prayer or mindfulness mediation, whichever works for you. This lovely, uncomplicated approach featured in The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude could be life-changing.

Increase your happiness: Studies show―and experts counsel―that gratitude is a key component of our happiness. People who are grateful about events and experiences from the past, who celebrate triumphs instead of focusing on losses or disappointments, tend to be more satisfied. Gratitude can help us transform our fears into courage, our anger into forgiveness, our isolation into belonging, and another’s pain into healing. Follow the advice of Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh, “With all I have experienced in my own life, the power of gratitude stands above everything else. In your mindfulness practice, use gratitude until it becomes your way of life.” The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude will show you the way.

Inside The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude, we have provided you with positive thinking “power tools” that will help you build a more grateful life, including:

Mindful meditations Hands-on exercises Profound practices Inspiring quotations Space for notetaking and journaling Thought-provoking questions

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2019

Reviews

[Kelly Kerns · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very non-Buddhist cash grab. Unoriginal, full of trite quotes from everyone with a few notable celebrity Buddhists thrown in for good measure. It felt like this was literally cut and paste from Bartlett's. No original thought here. Short book NOT worth finishing!

[Reham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the first part

[Stephanie S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe would have been a better read if I hadn’t already read from so many of the people she quotes

[Trevor Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book on meditation and gratitude. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It had some straightforward meditation techniques and strategies, along with ideas on cultivating more gratitude in your life. I really enjoyed the collection of quotes the author compiled throughout the book.

Personally, it was too spiritual for my taste (especially with the techniques talked about later in the book). But, if you're a spiritual person, this likely wouldn't be an issue.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this was a good book when it was sticking to mindfulness and Buddhism. The last 15-20% of this veered into some pretty strange territory that I can only describe as "magic." Personally, were I to read it a second time ever, I think I'd skip that part once I get to it. Don't feel bad if you do the same.

[Rajarajan RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the mindfulness part is good- but I don’t feel this book is about Buddhist practices as there are so many references of Hinduism in it. Hinduism is not what you read in books. You need to come to india to experience it by reading the non Brahmins!

[Savitha Madhavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and crispy read.....which reminds to incorporate mindfulness in our daily lives.

[Rachelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I continue on in my journey of reading about mindfulness and meditation. This was a nice read with good reminders of gratitute.

[Libby Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Refer back often and sometimes picks a quote to recognize for the day.

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. I was expecting more, but it is just a collection of other people's life quotes and random meditation guides.

[Russell D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quotes and a full high level review of meditation practices. Better as a refresher than an initial how to book.

[lak · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had some good takeaways, and practical methods but overall felt like the book had too many quotes and too little advice.