People give thanks and express appreciation for various reasons on multiple levels; all of us, however, can benefit from being thankful to our human teachers as a means to learning and growth. As Sri Ramakrishna states, " As long as I live, so long do I learn." Giving thanks and expressing appreciation keep the mind in an open and receptive state, and cooperation with others depends on appreciation and respect. Each person comes gift-wrapped in idiosyncrasies, and we must not be thrown off by them. Instead, we must exert viveka (discernment) to tease out the various strands that make up the mosaic of an individual's character so that we can appreciate them in a balanced way without judgment. At the same time, we must also appreciate ourselves. Such appreciation should not be on the basis of comparison with others or on achievement; instead, it should be an appreciation that extends beyond the mind, body, and thought. A person who appreciates himself and has faith in himself will also have faith in others. As Sri Ramakrishna explained, the mind is like a white cloth that takes on the various "colors" of our thoughts. If we condemn others, we take on that quality of condemnation. Yet through being positive and not complaining, the mind can attain a more elevated state, especially in the presence of Holy Company. The feeling expressed in a sincere "thank you" brings more love and less condemnation to others. At the highest level of spiritual appreciation, we can see the entire world, including our fellow beings, as Divine Substance. The deification of everything is the very basis of "thank you."
