Reclaiming the tradition of giving thanks before the evening meal, a collection of 365 blessings, contemplations, and graces from a variety of religious traditions is organized by seasons and includes contributions from religious leaders around the world. 30,000 first printing.
A Grateful Heart
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
In today's chaotic world, the common experience of sharing the evening meal can restore a sense of community and humanity to society. More important, the blessing of the meal fosters in us a sense of gratitude for the gifts we have been given. This collection of 365 "blessings"-ranging from the words of Augustine and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh to the Beatles' now famous "In the end the love you take/ is equal to the love you make"-celebrates the connections between grace and gratitude. To aid readers in selecting a grace appropriate to the occasion, there is a topical index as well as divisions marked by seasons of the year. The book will have wide appeal because it traverses all spiritual traditions. For general collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
M. J. Ryan is an inspirational speaker and human development expert, and the author of several bestselling books, including Attitudes of Gratitude and This Year I Will: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit her online at www.mj-ryan.com --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This diverse collection of beautiful prayers and blessings contains themes which are relevant to whatever gathering I'm a part of. I have used the blessings to begin meetings, as part of a presentation, at family mealtime and for my personal inspriation. I have bought my own copy and have given two other copies as gifts. The language of each blessing speaks very powerfully.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book is much like Gibrahn's "The Prophet" in that whatever passage you turn to, it is the correct one for your meal's blessing. Whether it is a contemprary figure or Buddah, the author has compiled these prayers to give maximal contemplation without imposing secular overtones to the thought. I have just given away my copy to a close friend who immediately became absorbed.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The entire collection is outstanding, but as we sat down for my grandson's eleventh birthday dinner, I flipped to page 7 and found the perfect reflection on the wondrous gift of being, in itself. It blessed our celebration.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Fred W Hood
Format:Hardcover
For well over 5 years I have been blessed by well-know and well-documented M. J. Ryan's collections of prayers and quotations of deep wisdom! Many of these have been left out of collections, such as, St. Ignatius' Prayer, ee cummings' "i thank you,God" Walter Rauschenbusch's deeper prayers, Daphne Rose Kingma's many faces, Thomas Merton, May Sarton, W B Yeats, etc. Only recently I searched and found 12 Native American Indian Prayers.
"So when Life Fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you without shame."
(Native American Prayer"
One of the most succintly worded themes of the book is by Simon Greenberg: "One does not need to fast for days, meditate for hours at a time to experience the sense of sublime mystery which constantly envelops us." Represented are the unique riches from Seven Biblical quotes, The Buddha, Einstein, and Schweitzer!
Where else could one find such variety of Faith, mood, and/or source of healing alogside life-changing examples of Prayer, and Wisdom? They seem to be profoundly combined and edited! From a collector of Jewels of Poetry, Prayers, and Wisdom! ...Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
"So when Life Fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you without shame."
(Native American Prayer"
One of the most succintly worded themes of the book is by Simon Greenberg: "One does not need to fast for days, meditate for hours at a time to experience the sense of sublime mystery which constantly envelops us." Represented are the unique riches from Seven Biblical quotes, The Buddha, Einstein, and Schweitzer!
Where else could one find such variety of Faith, mood, and/or source of healing alogside life-changing examples of Prayer, and Wisdom? They seem to be profoundly combined and edited! From a collector of Jewels of Poetry, Prayers, and Wisdom! ...Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Sally Wood
Format:Paperback
This is a nice collection of poems, blessings and short devotionals and they are categorized. I was looking for a book with more traditional blessings that appeal to a house with three teenagers and these selections are just a little too "devotional" and not quite what I was expecting.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Lync
Format:Paperback
This was exactly what I was looking for...
I am a devout agnostic, part-time Unitarian, with a young son in whom I wish to instill a sense of spirituality, even religiosity. One way I wanted try to do this was by starting a tradition of prayer at meal-times with him. Having no real experience in this activity, I ordered this book...
Organized by season, the prayers evoke an appropriate sense of time and place. The authors are widely varied, and all of the writings utilize wonderful imagery. I believe almost every prayer can be appreciated by people of all faiths, and even atheists who feel a need to express appreciation for what they have before them.
My 3-year-old son has memorized his favorite evening springtime prayer, which goes like this:
Come out! Come out!
From bogs, old frogs
Command the dark.
And look...the stars.
(not sure about the punctuation and I don't remember the author - I'm writing from memory...but you get the idea).
There are of course more traditional prayers than that. And I should mention that even though the title refers to blessings for the evening meal, there are several for morning-time as well, greeting the new day.
I am a devout agnostic, part-time Unitarian, with a young son in whom I wish to instill a sense of spirituality, even religiosity. One way I wanted try to do this was by starting a tradition of prayer at meal-times with him. Having no real experience in this activity, I ordered this book...
Organized by season, the prayers evoke an appropriate sense of time and place. The authors are widely varied, and all of the writings utilize wonderful imagery. I believe almost every prayer can be appreciated by people of all faiths, and even atheists who feel a need to express appreciation for what they have before them.
My 3-year-old son has memorized his favorite evening springtime prayer, which goes like this:
Come out! Come out!
From bogs, old frogs
Command the dark.
And look...the stars.
(not sure about the punctuation and I don't remember the author - I'm writing from memory...but you get the idea).
There are of course more traditional prayers than that. And I should mention that even though the title refers to blessings for the evening meal, there are several for morning-time as well, greeting the new day.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By samson
Format:Paperback
The book provides an excellent way to start conversations with your family about being grateful. We've also found it interesting to discuss the various authors. Love the fact that not all the quotes are religous based.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. K. Fliris
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I received this book as a gift in 1996 and have used it on many occasions. The last time I read from this at a small dinner party, everyone wanted to know the name of the book and where I got it. That in itself is a testimonial. Most interesting was that all agreed that the three separate blessings I chose (before dinner, after dinner, and wishes for the new year 2008) were appropriate. Enough said!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great was to start the morning
I use this book to start my mornings. I like all the different perspectives it gives. I did not relate to all of the quotes but the more I get into the book, the more I open to... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Barbara Methner
5.0 out of 5 stars
lovely book
This is the third "Grateful Heart I have bought for friends. I have had mine for years and always can find something worthwhile from it.
Published 12 days ago by Alastair R Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely collection
A lovely collection of quotations and blessings for all occasions and for daily inspiration from a wide range of thoughtful men and women.
Published 19 days ago by Susie M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book
I love this book. I keep it in my guest room. When I need a more positive outlook on my life, this book helps.
Published 1 month ago by Sherry E. Mckenzie
5.0 out of 5 stars
I am gratedul to have found this once again
This small book is a treasure trove of prayers, blessings, and words that fit all seasons. Prayers for everyday, or a special day, or words to think about. Read more
Published 8 months ago by isl
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book For Every Time and Purpose
This book is a treasure that covers all aspects of life. Open the book to any page and immerse yourself in the wisdom, insight and fresh prespective that waits for you there. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Margaret A. Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GRATEFUL HEART
A LOVELY BOOK OF DAILY THOUGHTS ON GRATITUDE FOR MEALTIME OR ANYTIME. I READ IT DAILY AND HAVE PURCHASED MORE COPIES TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS.
Published on October 24, 2010 by DAISY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great readings for dinnertime!
We've loved this book for years (great housewarming or wedding gift) and especially enjoy reading outloud before a special dinner :)
Published on September 17, 2010 by dveg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
My yoga teacher uses this book as words of wisdom to end our meditation. I had to get one as I kept being drawn to the readings she shared. I am so grateful that I did. Read more
Published on March 5, 2010 by Bea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice variety!
We read a verse or saying everynight before dinner by randomly opening the book to a page......it is a nice jumping off point for discussions on different traditions and ways to... Read more
Published on August 14, 2009
