Words of Gratitude
The word gratitude means “thankfulness.” Gratitude is one of the sadguna vaibhava, the “divine virtues,” given by Gurumayi Chidvilasananda each year during Birthday Bliss. Gurumayi teaches that these virtues abide within each one of us as facets of the inner Self. Each November in the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday is an occasion to reflect on the virtue of gratitude and to express our gratefulness for Mother Earth, for the friends and family who shape and support us, for the goodness in the world, and for Shri Guru—who blesses our lives with her grace and teachings. In celebration of this holiday, delight in the dazzling cornucopia of Words of Gratitude, where you can see and hear the word gratitude expressed in languages from around the world.
To hear words for gratitude in various languages, click the buttons below.
I’m really enchanted by the syllables, by their shapes and sounds, and by the love I feel in the voices of the people who utter them. I feel that such richness and variety can only come from the infinite creativity of God. It seems to me that God is thanking God in a beautiful play of love.
Milan, Italy
As I was looking at these translations and presentations of the word gratitude, my heart felt incredible waves of deep love and gratitude. I felt as if the entire world were saying “thank you” to Gurumayi for all her love and blessings. I also felt unity with everyone’s heart.
St Bauzille de la Sylve, France
How beautiful are all the different ways of writing and speaking the word gratitude! It was so interesting to me to see the shapes of the words and hear the sounds—and to recognize that all people experience and give a name to this great virtue.
This strikes me as a vivid illustration of how we are unified in heart, yet diverse in expression.
North Carolina, United States
Joy bubbled up in my heart and brought light, playful sounds of laughter as I read each word of gratitude in the various languages. I was charmed by the beautiful shapes of the written words. And my heart was captivated even more when I listened to the sounds of the loving voices pronouncing these words. My joy grew greater as I tried to pronounce gratitude in each language—so many lovely forms of the wonderful expression of this virtue!
Nice, France
This display of the words that express gratitude in so many different languages inspires gratitude in me—gratitude for belonging to the colorful community of my fellow human beings and gratitude for the diversity of languages in the world. When I open myself to the virtue of gratitude, it shines forth like the sun.
Illinois, United States
Truly, the language of the heart transcends all apparent differences. As I hear the sounds in different languages and note the vast array of lines and shapes, I recognize the same upwelling warmth in all these words for gratitude. I feel in them the longing to express thanks for the opportunity to be alive. And I recognize my own gratitude.
Washington, United States
As my eye takes delight in the different scripts and fonts, surrounded by the inventive array of picture frames, and as my ear is tickled by the very different sounds of the word gratitude in all these languages, I am reminded that my own experiences of gratitude from one day to the next also display different colors, different sounds, different shapes, and even different degrees of intensity. But what unites them all is the fact that, without exception, they soften and expand my heart. And each one helps me settle a little more deeply into the reassuring, sweet, and ever welcome awareness of just how blessed my life has become as a student on the Siddha Yoga path.
Illinois, United States
I love this page of with the word gratitude expressed in languages from around the world. Listening to all the voices in one sitting, I felt a thrill of playful happiness. There are so many ways to say thank you!
In the same way, there are so many ways for me to express my love and appreciation. My heart feels full of possibilities!
Summer Hill, Australia
Seeing and hearing the myriad forms of the word gratitude in different languages was fascinating. I noticed that the Danish, German, and Dutch words for gratitude actually contain their word for “thank you”—tak or Dank(e)—within their word for gratitude. What that brought home for me is the importance of saying “Thank you” out loud and meaning it, as that instantly allows me to access the experience of gratitude.
Hawaii, United States
As I listen to the dear, sweet voices reading the word gratitude in each language, I connect to my heart.
I am filled with gratitude for the Guru’s grace, teachings, and ever-present love on the Siddha Yoga path. With all this grace in my life, I have started experiencing my own divinity while carrying out my routine activities. Life has become more easeful now, and I experience my breath coming in and going out freely.
Dombivli, India
When I recently learned that I am facing a serious health challenge, I began experiencing a tsunami of love that washes over me continually. I feel profoundly grateful for my “GPS”—the Guru, the practices, and the sangham. I cry tears of joy and gratitude every day as the endless blessings on this path and in this life become more and more clear to my heart and mind.
Vermont, United States
As I begin this day by experiencing these words for gratitude in many languages, my heart expands and pulsates in the awareness that I am one among equals, perceiving the One in the many.
It is not possible to repay my debt to the Guru for showing me the way to becoming a true human being. I try, little by little, in my words and actions, to see God in everyone, everywhere, and to do the next right thing in the present moment.
Texas, United States
Before going to bed this evening, I clicked on the box of each language to listen to how gratitude is expressed. As I listened, I began to smile. The way each person voiced this sweet word was so filled with love. It seems there is no room for anything but love and appreciation when gratitude is expressed.
South Yarra, Australia
Kiitollisuus, the Finnish word for gratitude, fell like a drop of nectar into my ears. Immediately I felt its vibration expanding, opening the space of my entire being to oneness. I felt a huge wave of gratitude expanding with strength and kindness along the entire surface of the world, covering it with a soft, protective blanket.
What a heartfelt way to express love and gratitude to Earth and its inhabitants. What a wonderful gift to be all together practicing these precious teachings.
Rennes, France
As I hear gratitude in each language, I feel I am hearing God’s voice. And as I focus on my breath and the mantra, I feel I’m breathing in God. I experience God and only God. A great peace is enveloping my heart as never before.
Milan, Italy
The creative detail of each frame speaks to me of the focus, care, and respect toward the word it surrounds. Listening each day to a different speaker express gratitude in their native tongue is a delight. Then, there is the pleasure of repeating the word after them. There are words I struggle to pronounce and others that I love rolling around my tongue. Most of all, I love the cadences, the tones, the energy of each speaker. Their words seem alive with feelings of thankfulness.
It seems to me that “Words of Gratitude” is a paradigm for the One becoming many. Gratitude—the feeling, the state, the virtue—is innate and universal—and here there are so many words for it and so many diverse voices expressing it.
Once again, I am in awe of the variety and originality of the ways in which Gurumayi teaches.
Corsham, United Kingdom
I feel so grateful when I see and hear the word gratitude in different languages.
My mother tongue is Danish; today when I opened the website and I saw the Danish word teknemmelighed and heard it spoken, my heart opened and filled up with gratitude. Thank you for sharing the word gratitude in Danish.
Dyssegaard, Denmark
The moment I heard the word gratitude in each language, I felt the energy of its meaning. I experienced bliss and gratitude!
Madrid, Spain
Just seeing the Arabic word for gratitude my heart feels happy and warm. It’s a great surprise because I do not understand the Arabic language! But the movement of the lines and dots within the letters of the word instantly made me smile. As I heard the pronunciation, I felt sweetness and love arising within me, and my body softened. I felt compelled to look up the English transliteration of the word and found that it is aimtanan. I will carry this word with me throughout the day and look for opportunities to discover and rediscover this gift of gratitude through the lens of the Arabic language.
Berlin, Germany
I love the word gratitude, written and spoken here in different languages.
Each day I anticipate the word in the new language–how it will look, how it will sound, how it will be pronounced–and I repeat the word a few times out loud.
Florida, United States
I feel gratitude when I come to the Siddha Yoga path website and find new treasures posted. When I saw this gallery and listened to the “Words of Gratitude” in different languages, I immediately felt love. This is what I experience here—so much love in every detail.
Munich, Germany
Chennai, India
My head bows down in deep gratitude. My heart says, “Follow the Guru’s path.”
Mumbai, India
Crying Out of Gratitude
I can’t stop writing about my blanket of stillness.
When I sit to meditate, all the cells inside me are still.
It’s different from what I know as inner peace.
My familiar uneasiness or quivering is gone.
I could stay forever, but
Here I go again, crying out of gratitude.
Oh! I’ll happily spend the rest of my life
Crying, out of gratitude
For this inner miracle.
Washington, United States
As I counted my blessings, I discovered that each one led to another, and that all culminated in gratitude for Gurumayi’s, Baba’s, and Bade Baba’s grace in my life.
As I thought about this, out of curiosity I looked up the origin of the word gratitude and found that its root is gratus. I learned that grace has the same root. Gratitude and grace—they must be the wings of love!
Illinois, United States
I have learned that with gratitude, I am wealthy, and without it, I am poor, no matter what my outward circumstances are.
I am grateful for this beautiful path of compassion.
New York, United States
Indore, India
Gratitude
Out of the depths of silence
I arose
From the womb of time
I was born
By the hand of the elements
I was molded
Driven by the force of nature
I dissolved
Touched by the purity of Grace
I transformed
Transformed
By the immensity of Guru’s Grace
Overflowing
With the bounty of generosity
Absorbed
In perfection personified
Saturated
In God’s love and compassion
Gratitude
Fills my moist, tender heart
With a soft gaze
Palms touching
A gentle bow
I offer infinite thanks
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Fitzroy North, Australia
Pau, France
Versoix, Switzerland
In my experience, gratitude is a virtue that allows me to focus more easily on the positive aspect of each situation and leads me to contentment.
Querétaro, Mexico
I thanked Gurumayi for the gift of shaktipat and for her constant guidance that leads to so many inner changes and insights in my life.
I thanked all the great saints and Siddhas who took and take birth on this planet to guide humanity to discover who we truly are.
I thanked my parents for giving me birth on this beautiful earth to have the great opportunity to look for my true nature: pure Consciousness, love, light, and joy.
I thanked all the people who teach me how to move towards my goal in so many different ways.
I offer all my gratitude at the feet of Gurumayi.
St. Bauzille de la Sylve, France
One way that I have developed gratitude in my life is by finding a moment—a feeling, a thought, an item—that I might have considered small; then I cultivate gratitude for that seemingly unimportant experience. By doing this, I have begun to appreciate the virtue of gratitude in all moments.
New York, United States
Today I am grateful for the unseasonably warm air inviting me outside to drink in its gift, a few minutes of quiet time with my cup of tea before I head off to work, and a daily contemplation from the book Resonate with Stillness to form my intention for the day.
I experience so many blessings and thankfulness by remembering to remember.
Missouri, United States
Love emerges from gratitude,
And from gratitude emerges love.
When gratitude is reflected in the mirror,
Its reflection is love.
O my Guru, may I become your reflection
Just as love is that of gratitude.
May I be the mirror of your love
And live all my life in gratitude.
a Gurukula student in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
Arizona, United States
to see your radiance, without eyes.
Gratitude allows me
to sing your name, without a voice.
Gratitude allows me
to hear your voice, without ears.
Gratitude allows my skin
to tremble without being touched.
Gratitude allows me
to experience you in the heart.
Without you, no breathing;
without gratitude, no life.
Ingolstadt, Germany
For me the word gratitude conveys a feeling I have for Gurumayi deep inside my heart and the silence of my mind.
Noida, India