This document discusses the concept of gratitude from a Spiritist perspective. It defines gratitude as appreciating kindness and recognizing that good things come from others. Cultivating gratitude involves focusing on what one has and valuing what comes from others. Expressing gratitude through letter writing is associated with improved mental and physical health. In contrast, ingratitude stems from selfishness and causes disappointment. The document encourages developing an attitude of gratitude to transform difficulties into opportunities for growth.

1. Gratitude
A SPIRITIST VIEW

2. Gratitude Meaning
“The quality of being
thankful; readiness to show
appreciation for and to return
kindness.”
Oxford Dictionary

3. Cultivate
Gratitude
We can see two implication of the definition
of Gratitude:
• I realise that I was awarded something
good to me
• I recognise that what I got it came form
someone/something else

4. Cultivate
Gratitude
We can see two implication of the definition
of Gratitude:
• I realise that I was awarded something
good to me
• I recognise that what I got it came form
someone/something else
Cultivate gratitude means:
1. Focus on what we have
2. Practice to see and value all we got from
someone/something else

5. Gratitude by Joanna de Ângelis
“Gratitude is a deep and significant feeling because it is not limited
to the usual act of reward. It's greater, because it brings satisfaction
and has a psychotherapeutic character. Everyone who is grateful,
who understands the meaning of real gratitude, enjoys physical,
emotional and mental health, because he feels joy in living, shares
all things, is an active member of the social organisation, is creative
and joyful”.
The Psychology of Gratitude, psychography by Divaldo Franco

6. Gratitude by Joanna de Ângelis
“Gratitude begins with
humbleness that enables us
to recognise what is offered
to us. When we are grateful
we experience the true and
full sense of joy.”
The Psychology of Gratitude,
psychography by Divaldo Franco

7. Non Gratitude
“Ingratitude is one of the most
direct results of selfishness
and always causes revolt in
honest hearts.”
GAS - Chapter XIV - item 9

8. Non Gratitude
“937 - Aren’t the disappointments caused by ingratitude and by the
fragility of human friendships also a source of bitterness for the
human heart?
Yes, but we have recommended that you pity ungrateful and
disloyal friends - they will be unhappier than you are. Ingratitude is
the child of selfishness, and the selfish sooner or later encounter
hearts as hardened as their own.”
TSB - Hopes and Consolations, chap. 1 Earthly Afflictions and Joys

9. Non Gratitude
“938 - Aren’t the disappointments caused by ingratitude likely to
harden the heart, making it insensitive?
That would be unfortunate because those who have a heart, as you
say, will always be happy for the good they do. (…) and the
ungrateful will then feel shame and remorse.”
TSB - Hopes and Consolations, chap. 1 Earthly Afflictions and Joys

10. Gratitude and Science
The researchers randomly assigned participants into three groups.
Although all three groups received counselling services, the first
group was also instructed to write one letter of gratitude to another
person each week for three weeks, whereas the second group was
asked to write about their deepest thoughts and feelings about
negative experiences. The third group did not do any writing
activity.
The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity

11. Gratitude and Science
Compared with the participants who wrote about negative
experiences or only received counselling, those who wrote gratitude
letters reported significantly better mental health four weeks and 12
weeks after their writing exercise ended.
Expressing gratitude is associated with improved physical health,
relationships and life.
The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity

12. Gratitude
“To be grateful is to know that life is in constant movement. Let’s not be
tormented by the changes, we are in constant movement and changes in
our organism, every 15 minutes 1/3 of our organism is entirely new.”
Divaldo Franco - 27.03.2021 Mansão do Caminho

13. Gratitude
“To be grateful is to know how
to transform the bad things
that happens to us in
opportunity for growth.”
Divaldo Franco - 27.03.2021 Mansão do
Caminho

14. Gratitude
Always!
“We are learning to
understand, tolerate, forgive,
bless and live better, in
balance. Not making room in
the heart for resentments
and angers, they represent
ingratitude, when love must
flood the soul and our deeds
in life.”
Divaldo Franco - 27.03.2021
Mansão do Caminho

15. Bibliography
• The Psychology of Gratitude - Divaldo Franco by the spirit Joanna de Angelis
• The Gospel According to Spiritism - Chap XIV - Honour your Father and your Mother - item 9
• The Spirit’s Book - Part 4: Hopes and Consolations - Chap I: Earthly Afflictions and Joys
• The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity - Kini, Prathik & Wong, Y Joel &
McInnis, Sydney & Gabana, Nicole & Brown, Joshua. (2015). The effects of gratitude
expression on neural activity. NeuroImage. 128. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.040
• Divaldo Franco - online speech on 27.03.2021 - Mansão do Caminho
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bezfRNGnNsc)

16. Our activities
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Ireland
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Talk show: every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:15pm
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Our email us: spiritismireland@gmail.com

17. Thank You!