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Meditation has been a cornerstone of spiritual practice for centuries. For many, it offers a path to inner peace, heightened awareness, and connection with the Divine. Di Tran’s approach to meditation emphasizes not just introspection, but a deep sense of gratitude towards God. It’s a practice rooted in acknowledging and giving thanks for every facet of one’s existence.

Gratitude as a Form of Prayer

Di Tran often meditates on statements of gratitude, such as:

“Thank you, God, for I am alive.”
“Thank you, God, for I am strong.”
“Thank you, God, for all that I am.”

Each affirmation serves as a gentle reminder of the blessings bestowed upon us. It’s an approach that aligns with many religious teachings, notably Christianity. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible advises, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This act of consciously giving thanks for oneself and one’s circumstances is a profound means of connecting with the Divine.

Finding Strength in Jesus

Di Tran’s practice also underscores alignment with Jesus, who exemplified strength, grace, and gratitude in the face of adversity. By viewing life’s stresses and burdens as part of the larger tapestry of existence, Di Tran embraces challenges as blessings, reminiscent of the trials faced by Jesus himself. As stated in James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Flowing with Life, Embracing Infinity

For Di Tran, resistance to life’s ebb and flow is an obstacle to spiritual growth. By adopting a mindset of zero resistance, one can move in harmony with life and the divine infinity. This concept is echoed in Taoist philosophy, which promotes living in accord with the Tao, or “the way” – a harmonious flow with the universe (Laozi, Tao Te Ching).

Conclusion

Di Tran’s reflective approach to meditation, rooted in gratitude and alignment with Jesus, offers a refreshing perspective on managing life’s challenges. By recognizing each moment, each challenge, as a divine gift and an opportunity for growth, one can live a life of greater peace, acceptance, and spiritual fulfillment.

References:

The Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
The Bible, James 1:2-4.
Laozi, Tao Te Ching.

For 41 years, Di Tran, a devout Catholic, has been attending church nearly every Sunday. In those four decades, he has listened to countless readings and homilies, heard parables and verses that span the Old and New Testaments. And yet, it wasn’t until July 9th, 2023, that the true depth of certain passages truly touched his heart and opened a new realm of understanding for him. Two readings, in particular, resonated deeply with him — a section from one of Paul’s letters and a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

For most of his life, Di Tran had perceived the teachings of the church in a certain way. But this Sunday, something changed. He had listened to these verses before, but this time, he truly understood them, albeit on a limited level. As he explains in his book, “Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS,” hearing does not necessarily imply understanding, understanding does not guarantee feeling, and even feeling does not ensure that one will act upon the perceived wisdom.

Reflecting on these readings, Di Tran realized that everything, including his physical body, is a tool, God’s tool. Like many, he had been using tools such as cars, clothes, food, and other material possessions primarily to satisfy his physical being. This continual striving to satisfy the material had led him to a sense of dissatisfaction in life. He realized he had been satisfying the ‘tools’ with other ‘tools,’ which was an empty endeavor.

In his upcoming book, “Drop the FEAR and focus on the FAITH,” Di Tran profoundly explains his realization that his physical body, along with all other tools at his disposal, including his intelligence and network, should be used to maximize their power and capabilities. Rather than accumulating ‘tools,’ they should be used to add value to life and generate intrinsic worth.

Di Tran identifies this internal worth with the divine spirit within him. He terms it as Soul, intuition, Spirit, energy, divine infinity, or any other words that come close to describing the ineffable. He now believes that true satisfaction does not come from satisfying the needs of the ‘tool’ that is the body, but rather from creating value and contributing to life, satisfying the divine within.

Walking out of the church that Sunday, Di Tran felt an overwhelming sense of enlightenment. The age-old wisdom from the Bible had validated his newly found understanding. Almost in tears, he was grateful for his humble human intellect that had allowed him to recognize and comprehend this profound secret. His revelation redefines his journey, deepening his faith and providing a blueprint for a life of spiritual fulfillment and meaningful contribution.

References:

Reading 1: “Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Reading 2: “At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”