One of the many universal truths across wisdom traditions is the emphasis on removing desire. Epictetus and the Buddha suggested that freedom is not secured by fulfilling one’s desires but by its removal.
A curious question, then, is what is the opposite of desire?
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche called his approach to life Amor Fati. Nietzsche explained,
My formula for greatness in a human being is Amor Fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it… but love it.
Nietzsche’s approach doesn’t attempt to erase the past but instead accepts what has occurred, the good and the bad, the mistaken and the wise, resulting in all-embracing gratitude.
The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky suggested a similar approach, “Only to live, to live and live! Life, whatever it may be!”
In the new book The Enlightenment Project, author Jonathan Robinson (a previous podcast guest) highlights the power of gratitude. Robinson writes: “When I originally interviewed many well-known spiritual leaders for my book, The Experience of God, I was surprised at how many of my interviewees mentioned the value of gratitude in connecting with the Divine.”
The writer and theologian Henri Nouwen explained, “Gratitude goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift.”
Similarly, the Benedictine Monk Brother David Steindl-Rast advises,
You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day it’s the one day, it’s the one day that is given to you today. It’s a gift it’s the only gift you have right now — and the only appropriate response is gratefulness.
How might your life change by adopting a perspective of gratefulness? Might you be happier, healthier, and wiser? Although it’s important to point out that philosophical and spiritual traditions often go far beyond the traditional gratitude journal approach.
In the book Wakeup Grateful, author Kristi Nelson (another previous podcast guest) stressed the difference between gratitude and being grateful. Nelson explains gratefulness is gratitude for life. It reminds us that we are continually receiving in simply being alive.
The path to becoming wiser or learning how to live in general may have more to do with being grateful for life (despite the challenges and setbacks) than we realize. Nouwen put it this way, “I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline.”
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Thank you for listening; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
All Roads Lead to Gratitude