>> A mindset of gratitude can coexist happily with regular complaining
No, it cannot. It is the case that one may not have a mindset of exclusively complaint, as one may have developed a capacity for more gratitude through the effort of being conscious. As long as there is any energy being exerted for complaint, that is energy that can be conserved and utilized for higher purpose.
For a complaint to reach all the way through the body and out the mouth, it must have already been processed through the brain. Complaining in all forms is a type of negative expression, and drains energy. The OP was commenting about how they complain going to the gym, at the gym, coming home from the gym, and while showering after the gym. I'm not sure what you're looking for as a definition of 'mindset of complaint', but this I'd suggest this is suitable.
You can think of complaining, an expression of negativity, as basically a polar opposite of gratitude. To begin cultivating something of a higher order, it will help to attempt to 'reconcile' the feeling of the two by feeling them both simultaneously. When you feel like complaining, or catch yourself doing so, make attempts to begin feeling gratitude. You'll soon find the gratitude will replace the complaining. After doing this enough, you will develop enough sensitivity and acumen to begin actually feeling both sensations at the same time, holding onto the 'complaining' feeling, while reaching toward the gratitude as well. Over time, you will be able to find yourself 'integrating' the two faster and faster, nearer the moment the feelings come into consciousness. Eventually (years), your 'complaining' will be supplanted and you will have a different mode of experience.
No, it cannot. It is the case that one may not have a mindset of exclusively complaint, as one may have developed a capacity for more gratitude through the effort of being conscious. As long as there is any energy being exerted for complaint, that is energy that can be conserved and utilized for higher purpose.
For a complaint to reach all the way through the body and out the mouth, it must have already been processed through the brain. Complaining in all forms is a type of negative expression, and drains energy. The OP was commenting about how they complain going to the gym, at the gym, coming home from the gym, and while showering after the gym. I'm not sure what you're looking for as a definition of 'mindset of complaint', but this I'd suggest this is suitable.
You can think of complaining, an expression of negativity, as basically a polar opposite of gratitude. To begin cultivating something of a higher order, it will help to attempt to 'reconcile' the feeling of the two by feeling them both simultaneously. When you feel like complaining, or catch yourself doing so, make attempts to begin feeling gratitude. You'll soon find the gratitude will replace the complaining. After doing this enough, you will develop enough sensitivity and acumen to begin actually feeling both sensations at the same time, holding onto the 'complaining' feeling, while reaching toward the gratitude as well. Over time, you will be able to find yourself 'integrating' the two faster and faster, nearer the moment the feelings come into consciousness. Eventually (years), your 'complaining' will be supplanted and you will have a different mode of experience.