Tools of the Visionary: Gratitude

 "The first shamanic tool in your toolbox is gratitude, an attitude and an orientation designed to open the heart. 
Gratitude is a high-level amplitude that is designed to open portals, windows, and doorways into the spirit world.
Shamans "see" through their hearts.

Shamanic tribes like the Maori of New Zealand believe that the physical world we experience is actually a projection coming from each individual heart.
The Mayans and the Q'ero tribe in the Peruvian Andes have their own versions of this basic understanding. 
Their shamans know that self-importance, created by the ego, is dedicated to keeping the powerful heart portal closed off enough to prevent Spirit from shining through.

The ego accomplishes this by shutting down the heart to the point where the portal remains closed to the spirit world.
The portals pop open only when a certain amplitude is reached, so keeping it below a certain level prevents opening.
What keeps amplitude low are the familiar maladies:  fear, hostility, self-importance, depression, self-doubt, cynicism, and frustration.

Because of these, most people's hearts are shut down most of the time, which feels bad in the chest and cuts off the main avenue of escape from pain and suffering - 
an open heart.
Gratitude counters these ploys by the parasitical false personality and raises the amplitude high to begin the heart -opening process."
 Awakening to the Spirit World

The Power of Gratitude