In these times of political polarization, unity may feel like a distant goal. The United States, like much of the world, is grappling with deep divisions over issues that range from economics and healthcare to civil rights and the environment. With the upcoming election, these rifts seem to grow wider. Yet, at Life Temple, we believe there is another way forward—one that is not based solely on the political system, but on a deeper, spiritual foundation rooted in unity and conscious awareness.
A Healing Thanksgiving: Reflections on Indigenous Loss and the Spirit of Gratitude
By: Glenn Workman, Director of Life Temple
As Thanksgiving approaches at Life Temple, we often turn to gratitude, reflecting on blessings and the transformative meaning of this season. Yet, alongside our gratitude, it’s important to honor our shared history. For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is observed as a National Day of Mourning, recognizing both the resilience and the profound losses endured by Indigenous communities over centuries. Acknowledging both gratitude and historical truth helps foster a deeper sense of healing and unity.
Understanding the National Day of Mourning
Thanksgiving traditionally centers on the story of Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal, yet for many Native communities, it’s a time to remember ancestors and a legacy of resilience amidst hardship. Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to observe the National Day of Mourning—a day to remember the impact of colonization, disease, and land loss on their people and to honor their enduring cultures.
For us at Life Temple, the Day of Mourning offers an opportunity to expand our understanding of gratitude. By acknowledging this history, we deepen our connection to gratitude as a powerful practice that can hold space for both appreciation and remembrance.
Embracing Gratitude with Awareness
Gratitude, in its truest form, goes beyond moments of joy. It’s a state of being that arises when we’re present and connected to the world around us. By broadening our perspective to include others’ experiences, we cultivate gratitude that honors both struggle and resilience. Indigenous cultures teach us that gratitude doesn’t need ideal conditions to flourish; it can grow even amidst hardship.
In many Indigenous communities, gratitude is woven into daily life through ceremonies and offerings to honor the earth. At Life Temple, we respect these practices, fostering an approach to gratitude that celebrates what we have while honoring the journey of others.
Acknowledging Loss as Part of Healing
Honoring the past is not about dwelling in sadness but recognizing that understanding loss is essential to healing. By acknowledging the sacrifices of Indigenous communities, we create a space for empathy, expanding gratitude into a holistic view that respects and learns from the past. Life Temple encourages this approach as a path to inclusive, deeply aware gratitude.
For Life Temple members, observing the National Day of Mourning can become a powerful practice of compassion. Reflecting on history is not about guilt but about honoring those who endured great challenges. This acknowledgment opens us to gratitude that respects ancestral journeys and strengthens our Thanksgiving with deeper meaning.
Practicing Thanksgiving with Intention
So, how can we observe Thanksgiving in a way that embraces both gratitude and Indigenous perspectives? Here are some practices to consider:
- Hold a Moment of Reflection: Start Thanksgiving with a moment of silence or reflection to honor the resilience of Indigenous communities. At Life Temple gatherings, we can collectively hold this space, appreciating both the abundance we enjoy and the history that made it possible.
- Learn Indigenous Teachings on Gratitude: Indigenous cultures offer profound teachings on gratitude, particularly in relation to nature and interconnectedness. Explore these teachings in your practice, and share them with family or friends to broaden your perspective on gratitude.
- Support Indigenous Communities: Thanksgiving can be a time to give back by supporting Native-owned businesses, artists, and organizations dedicated to preserving Indigenous culture. This is a meaningful way to express gratitude while supporting Indigenous resilience.
- Practice Earth-Centered Gratitude: Many Indigenous gratitude practices are centered on the earth. In line with Life Temple’s values, consider making an offering to nature, planting something, or spending mindful time outdoors.
- Reframe the Thanksgiving Table: Use the Thanksgiving meal to discuss gratitude in a broader context. Invite guests to share what they’re grateful for while also reflecting on the importance of empathy, resilience, and respect for diverse histories.
Moving Forward with Gratitude and Awareness
At Life Temple, we’re called to expand our understanding of gratitude, embracing it as a practice that acknowledges both joy and sorrow, beauty and hardship. The National Day of Mourning reminds us that gratitude is richer when it’s grounded in awareness of what has come before. By honoring Indigenous resilience and culture, we create space for a Thanksgiving that is both truthful and compassionate, recognizing the sacrifices of others and our shared responsibility to foster respect.
This Thanksgiving, may Life Temple members find gratitude not only for what we have but for the wisdom, strength, and sacrifices of those who came before. In this way, we contribute to a legacy of gratitude that honors the past, enriches the present, and creates hope for the future.
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