If you find any one of these blessings in your life dwell with it awhile. What will arise is gratitude in the heart. Just choose one - or one at a time. Some may not apply to you, may not even seem like blessings. In this case just skip over. Recognizing any in your life is an acceptance of that blessing. Paying attention to blessings naturally facilitates their further arising, their increase and their deepening.
These are the Highest Blessings
For all those who are concerned for happiness
and ever long for peace,
what are the Highest Blessings?
avoiding those of foolish ways
associating with the wise
and honoring those worthy of honor
These are the Highest Blessings
living in places with of suitable kinds
with the fruits of past good deeds
and guided by the rightful way
These are the Highest Blessings
accomplished in learning and craftsman skills
with discipline, highly trained
and speech that is true and pleasant to hear
These are the Highest Blessings
providing for mother and father's support
and cherishing family
and ways of work that harm no being
These are the Highest Blessings
giving with dharma [Truth, Integrity] in heart
offering help to relatives and kin
and acting in ways that leave no blame
These are the Highest Blessings
steadfast in restraint and shunning evil ways
avoiding intoxicants that dull the mind
and heedfulness in all things that arise
These are the Highest Blessings
respectfulness and humble ways
contentment and gratitude
and hearing the dharma [truth, wisdom] frequently taught
These are the Highest Blessings
patience and willingness to accept one's faults
seeing venerated seekers of the truth
and sharing often the words of dharma
These are the Highest Blessings
the holy life lived with ardent effort
seeing for oneself the noble truths
and the realization of nibbana [freedom]
These are the Highest Blessings
although involved in worldly ways
unshaken the mind remains
and beyond all sorrows spotless, secure
These are the Highest Blessings
they who live by following this path
know victory wherever they go
everyplace for them is safe
These are the Highest Blessings
Mangala Sutta - to hear the monks of Abhayagiri Monastery chant the Highest Blessings follow this link http://www.abhayagiri.org/medium/highest_blessings_2009/
