What is True Happiness? By Daisaku Ikeda

"What are the ingredients for happiness? 

This is one of life's fundamental questions. 

The most crucial determinant for happiness 
is our inner state of life.  

Those with an expansive 
inner state of being 
are happy. 

They live out their days with an open and confident spirit. 

People with a strong state of life are happy. They are not defeated by suffering and can calmly enjoy life as it unfolds. 

Those with a profound state of life are happy. Savoring the deep significance of life, they are able to create a record of meaningful and enduring value. 

People with a pure state of life are happy. They are always spreading refreshing joy to those around them. 

There are countless individuals who are blessed with wealth, social status, and other material advantages, but are unhappy. And such external circumstances are changeable and impermanent; no one knows how long they will last. 

But when you have established an unshakable inner state of happiness, no one can destroy it. Nothing can violate it. Creating this great life state is the aim of your Buddhist practice. The important thing is to never stray from the Gohonzon, to never stop advancing in faith. 

In the course of life, you are bound to face all kinds of difficulties. At times, you may become stuck. That is when you need to strengthen your faith and chant daimoku in earnest. Difficult as it might be, once you surmount the steep mountain of your karma, a new horizon will open wide before you. Buddhist practice is the repetition of this process. Eventually, you will reach a state of absolute happiness that will never be destroyed. 

Develop deep, strongly rooted faith. As long as a sapling has strong roots and receives enough sunshine and water, it will grow into a tall, sturdy tree, even if it is buffeted by the elements. The same is true of our Buddhist practice and our lives. 
I hope that all of you will be courageous individuals who cheerfully spread the great light of happiness throughout this troubled world, your lives serving as personal proof of the true greatness of Nichiren Buddhism. "

From the February 2015 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai's monthly study journal, as quoted in the May 2015 Living Buddhism. 

"I Summoned This Storm!" PowerPrayer to Move from Victim to Victory!

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According to Daisaku Ikeda, we summon the exact set of obstacles we need to springboard our lives to the next level of practice and happiness. 
We will be better off for them!  
We summoned these storms. 
Realizing this takes our lives from Victim to Victory! This simple change in perspective brings incredible power to our Daimoku. When we are chanting we can address our lives and roar like the lions (Buddhas!) we are. What follows is a PowerPrayer I offer you to reclaim your life and move from Victim to Victor. As always, I offer you my writings from my heart, not as an official SGI representative, although I love the organization and encourage everyone to participate - if you are not yet a member please use this link to connect: sgi-usa.org 

PowerPrayer 
For Reclaiming My Own Life 
and Moving 
From Victim to VICTOR 
Read this before you chant 
and hold its spirit in your heart and mind - that's what a PowerPrayer - A Fresh Determination is...
by Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com. 

LIFE !! 
I get it! 
I SUMMONED THIS STORM and I can VANQUISH IT! 
I summoned this storm and I will WIN over it!
Shoten Zenjin (protective forces of the universe within all life) 
I now command you to fulfill these prayers!__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am a precious Votary of the Lotus Sutra 
and I vow to PROVE the POWER of the MYSTIC LAW 
through my own victories - 
so I can encourage everyone that 
the IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE!
I will NOW raise my life condition to a level I have never before experienced. 
I see through the eyes of the Buddha, 
I feel with the heart of the Buddha
I AM the Buddha! 
The universe exists within ME! 
I am CLAIMING power over my own life. 
No more complaining for me! 
No More "Woe is me!" 
NO! 
Starting today ~ with this Daimoku ~ 
I bring forth all the wisdom I need
                             to know what I need to do - 
All the courage I need ~ 
                             to take the right action 
All the perfect timing I need ~ 
                             to accomplish what I want
And the People and Resources I need ~ 
                             ALL appear right now! 
I am a powerful being waging a powerful war against the fundamental darkness inherent in all of life and I will WIN. 
Starting today 
I will win in:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This PowerPrayer has been inspired by the Gosho Study that permanently changed my life from the August of 2013 Living Buddhism "The Three Obstacles and Four Devils" written in November 1277 to the youngest Ikegami brother, Munenega, after his brother had been disowned by his father for his faith in Nichiren Buddhism. 

President Ikeda's lecture from the August Living Buddhism on this Gosho includes these words: 

"Though we speak of the "three obstacles and four devils" appearing, no one wishes to have to face adversity. 
That is surely a natural human reaction. 
But Nichiren says that 
the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils 
is a source of JOY. 
How could that be? 
It doesn't seem possible. 
But it is, in fact, 
by overcoming the steep hills and inclines of obstacles 
we can forge our lives 
and ascend the summit of Buddhahood, 
where we can savor the sublime vista of 
eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

He goes on to say:

"We need to "own" them (our obstacles) as something we ourselves have summoned up...we are in charge, we are the protagonists...the struggle against the three obstacles and four devils is indeed a great joy."

President Ikeda goes on to say:
"As Nichiren Daishonin writes: "When a tiger roars, gales blow; when a dragon intones, clouds gather" (The Workings of Brahma and Shakra," WND-1, 799) When we adopt this attitude ~ "I summoned this storm!" ~ our hearts will be filled with the bright sense of hope and purpose." (All quotes from the 2013 August Living Buddhism, pages 21, 22) 

Write me your victories at Chantforhappiness@gmail.com! 

10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer by Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda's 
10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer 

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~ 1 ~

Prayer entails an intense challenge 
to believe in yourself 
and stop diminishing yourself. 
To belittle yourself 
is to disparage Buddhism 
and the Buddha within your life.

~ 2 ~

Prayer is the way to destroy all fear. 
It is the way to banish sorrow, 
the way to light a torch of hope. 
It is the revolution 
that rewrites the scenario of our destiny.

~ 3 ~

Prayers are invisible, 
but if we pray steadfastly 
They will definitely effect clear results in our lives 
and surroundings over time. 
This is the principle of the true entity of all phenomena. Faith means having confidence in this invisible realm.

~ 4 ~

Prayer is not a feeble consolation; 
it is a powerful, unyielding conviction. 
And prayer must become manifest in action. 
To put it another way, 
if our prayers are in earnest, 
they will definitely give rise to action. 

~ 5 ~

Prayer is the courage to persevere. 
It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness 
and lack of confidence in ourselves. 
It is the act of impressing 
in the very depths of our being 
the conviction that we can change the situation 
without fail. 

~ 6 ~

Prayer is an attempt 
to merge the inner workings of our life 
with the rhythm of the universe. 
When we pray in such a way, 
all the workings of the universe 
will function to protect us 
and the endless cycle of painful reality 
will be transformed 
into a cycle of victory and happiness. 
Prayer is the key to open the door 
to unleash 
that infinite human potential within our lives. 

~ 7 ~

The important thing 
is to firmly fix our gaze 
on our own weaknesses, 
not run away from them, 
but to battle them head-on 
and establish a solid self that nothing can sway. Hardships forge and polish our lives, 
so that eventually 
they shine with brilliant fortune and benefit. 
If left in its raw, unpolished form, 
even the most magnificent gem will not sparkle. 
The same applies to our lives. 

~ 8 ~

Prayer is not of the realm of logic or intellect. 
It transcends these. 

~ 9 ~

Prayer is an act 
of which we give expression 
to the pressing and powerful wishes 
in the depths of our being 
and yearn for their fulfillment. 

~ 10 ~ 

"What kind of future do I envision for myself? 
What kind of self and I trying to develop? 
What do I want to accomplish in my life?" 
The thing is to paint this vision of your life in your heart 
as specifically as possible. 
That "painting" itself becomes the design of your future. The power of the heart 
enables us to actually create with our lives 
a wonderful masterpiece 
in accordance with that design. 

It is not about others. 
It is about you winning, 
and winning over yourself. 
By doing so, you will provide inspiration 
and encouragement to all around you. 

From Ikedaquotes.org

"Ho-nim-myo" - From this Moment Forth...Each Moment Begins A New Life

My heart is filled with appreciation for you. 

Yesterday I felt the spirit of "Ho-nim-myo" (meaning "from this moment forth") the Buddhist phrase our practice uses to signify that this moment is the decisive eternal moment. The past does not matter. The present and the future are all now. Each moment begins life anew. Each moment can be full of hope, vibrancy and energy.   

Yesterday, all day long, I could feel the Daimoku you have chanted for my son Ben and me...and I felt as if all of you who have written me were right by our sides all day long. Many of your emails came to me in times when I needed them most, when the way seemed impossible and my heart was so full. Each and every one of you are forever embedded in my heart.

Isn't it amazing really? Every day I chant to write a blog that touches your hearts...that will be exactly what you need to hear so you can get back in front of the Gohonzon, connect even more deply to Sensei and the SGI, wipe the tears from your eyes and say "YES. I can do this! NOW I can do this!" And your words come to me and touch my heart in exactly the same way. 

Yesterday was the first day in more than six months that Ben and I were able to spend time outside in fresh air.  

He is now living in the town where I was born, Evanston Illinois. My family moved from there when I was a baby, but I have always loved this liberal gem of a town on the shore of Lake Michigan. Together, we drove the beautiful blossom-filled streets, and explored this new world. 

It was a warm, breezy sunshiny day. I took him to a place I've loved since I was a child, right by the lake, and we sat together taking in the beauty. 

I looked up and every cell in my body rose together in gratitude for the life of this boy - this boy who can feel the sun on his face and the breeze on his skin - this boy who can write, and learn, and laugh and love. And I could feel your Daimoku. I could feel each and every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. And in the silence I let tears of appreciation roll from my eyes. 

And we went to the beautiful Evanston Art Center - on the lake by the lighthouse -  where they were having a show on Art Therapy - of all things. 

We wandered outside and found ourselves in the garden between the building and the dunes and the lake. And we just sat on the bench looking at the water - two sunlight and warmth-starved souls soaking it up for the first time in forever. It has been a long winter. But as we know, "Winter always turns to spring."

Next we headed to the beach and soaked in the energy of the earth while laying in the sand ~  with nowhere pressing to go and nothing to do...just us and the sky and the birds, the water and kite-flying children...on a Sunday before memorial day weekend (the official start of summer in America) - when all is quiet and calm. I felt that all is possible - everything is possible - I can touch my dreams. We can all make the impossible possible. 

The day was winding down and we followed it. 

And we found ourselves again outside in the sun at a restaurant called, I think, "Lyfe." Where we had food that tasted like the best food we'd ever had. Ben says Evanston is like Disneyland, only better. Everything enchants him. Imagine - bike lanes painted green that cars can't drive in - and public garages with plug-ins for electric cars...and street signs saying "You are beautiful." Here he can have a fresh start towards a beautiful future. 

So I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and kind, kind words. We truly are a Gakkai Family. We are fortunate beyond words to all have each other. 

If I can be here today writing these words to you today - YOU can achieve whatever happiness you wish. 

Thank you my friends. 

3 Ways to Know You're Chanting Enough

Look, the sun is there- it's right behind the clouds~

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!  

I am chanting to change my karma today! Today...today. 

How do we know 
when we're chanting enough Daimoku 
(or focused Daimoku)?

(Nam Myoho Renge Kyo)

1. Fear disappears and hope returns  
2. We're in rhythm.
3. We see and feel the daily upward progression of your life. 

I call it "Walking on a pillow of Daimoku.

When I am "Walking on a pillow of Daimoku," I know, that at every moment, my life is expressing itself with wisdom, compassion, love, and energy. I can feel the power of the universe shining from within me. 

When I'm in this state I rarely say something I regret. I don't take the wrong turn. I choose the right line, or if I choose the line that takes longer, I make a new friend in that line, or I laugh to myself about it and don't feel frustrated. I'm in the right place at the right time. 

I'm smiling and happy. I bring smiles to other's faces. I am in rhythm. Little synchronicities happen all the time. 

This week I've been chanting 2 hours a day - 
Sometimes it's easy...sometimes it's not.
I've had to just power through some of the Daimoku. Last night I came home from visiting Ben in the hospital, and didn't start my last hour until 9:30. 

Right now I have renewed hope in my heart, along with some of these other benefits I've received this week: 

I've been seeing my dear friend Mary every morning to chant, and we are chanting by phone every night. I already see the change in her! 
I'm not worried. Not about Ben. Not about anything. I've given notice on my apartment and my lease is up June 30th. I'm feeling physically great. I'm moving my body (also known as "working out") for at least 20 minutes a day. My body is humming in happiness. (There's a lot of people who are inspiring me these days, Erin Stutland, Christiane Northrup M.D, Nick and Jessica Ortner, and Tosha Silver to name a few) Erin says we need to fall in love with the way our body feels when we are moving it every day. That's a different way of viewing "working out." When we look at it like this, movement doesn't take will power. We're going towards a feeling, not making ourselves do anything. I get it. 
She says "When there's movement in your body there's movement in your life." 

This week I was in the right place at the right time to get a free hair cut from a master of the art of hair cutting. That was a nice benefit!

I never run out of things to chant for...
Every day, I chant for composure, for wisdom, and to open my life to learn all that I can. I chant for every reader of this blog, and for all the people I'd still like to reach.  I chant for every person who is suffering, and looking for this very practical practice, to FIND IT. I chant for opportunities to have this blog (and our message of peace and hope) spread wider and wider and help more people. I chant for all who are suffering. I chant to show actual proof with my life of how amazing this simple practice is.

This week I heard from with someone who started practicing alone, began reading my blog, then joined the SGI. That makes me so happy! 

May 3rd is only 3 days away! There is still enough time to make a determination - chant about it and WIN! 
I look forward to hearing from you at Chantforhappiness.com. 

Human Revolution Means "To Turn Things Around"

(You can now subscribe and get these posts in your email - see the box ar the right) This is the complete quote that Kate read to me last Friday. This quote lead me to determine to chant 2 hours a day this week to show victory by May 3rd. 
It is not too late to make your determination towards May 3rd! See if this inspires you. 
I especially like the part at the end.

From the April 2015 Living Buddhism Magazine, pages 54 - 55. Published by the SGI. This is from the section "Guidance Series" by Daisaku Ikeda. 

Human Revolution 

Means 

to Turn Things Around.

"Human revolution is not something unusual or special. For example, say that one day a boy who is always playing and never studies makes the decision, "From now on, I'm going to study" or tells himself, "I'm going to make efforts for the sake of my future." When he does that, he is engaging in Human Revolution...

In other words, 
human revolution is opening your eyes wide 
and looking beyond your ordinary concerns, 
smiling, and dedicating your actions 
to something higher, deeper, broader.

Someone who at first may seem to be a hopeless case can, by achieving a major self-realization, through their Buddhist practice, become an inspiration to countless others.

Also, times when you are suffering intensely, when you don't know what to do or which way to turn, can become important opportunities for making great strides in your human revolution. 

If you tend to be easily discouraged, 
just refresh your determination each time that happens. People who are resolved to see problems as opportunities and keep trying again and again, 
forging ahead with unflagging optimism, 
will definitely succeed in their human revolution...

Human revolution 
is a revolution in our actions and behavior. 
It means to purposefully engage in behavior 
that is grounded in compassion, 
in actions that break free from the cycle of the six paths (hell, hunger, animality, anger, humanity and heaven - all based in response to our environment) 
and bring us to the worlds 
of Bodhisattva and Buddhahood...

"Revolution" means to turn things around. It signifies a sudden, radical change.

The natural process is for people to grow little by little, with the passage of time. 
Human revolution 
is a step beyond that gradual process, 
propelling us rapidly in a positive direction. 
And while there is rapid movement, 
it is also growth that continues throughout our lives. 
There is no end point. 
And our Buddhist practice is the engine, 
the driving force, for our human revolution."

Let's do our Human Revolution. Let's speed it up by making firm determinations to have a complete turn around by May 3rd. Why not? Join us! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

3 Secrets for Setting Goals and Reaching Them

"This Lifetime will never come again; 
it is precious and irreplaceable. 
To live without regret, 
it is crucial for us to have a concrete purpose 
and continually set goals and challenges for ourselves. 
It is equally important 
that we keep moving toward specific targets 
steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time." 
Daisaku Ikeda, For Today and Tomorrow, page 55. 

We all know we need to make lists and write down our targets and goals, don't we? We've seen the studies that report that college graduates with clear goals achieve more success than others who don't have written goals. But still, somehow it is difficult to write them out and make them. 

Why is Setting Goals difficult? 
1. Many of us have set goals and failed to reach them. Raise your hands if you've ever done the same. And we've seen those targets breeze by...losing faith in ourselves. These failures mean nothing. We should make goals anyway. Read on. 
2. Sometimes it's hard for us to decide what our goals are. 
I chant for clarification and wisdom... 
3. We're afraid we won't reach our goals. That's a version of number 1 above. Or...maybe we're afraid we WILL reach them, and regret the outcome. 

So as I am making my list of goals I am remembering what some of my favorite mentors have to say about goal setting. 

3 Secrets For Setting Goals 
and Reaching Them! 
By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com, based on the teachings of Tony Robbins. 

1. For every goal you have be clear on WHY you want to achieve that goal. Write your goal...and write WHY you want to achieve it. As a Votary of the Lotus Sutra, all of my goals include the vow to show actual proof through my own life that the impossible is possible. 

2. Make yourself an inspiring name for this goal. I have a  friend who just embarked upon a fitness regime with a trainer. After a few days she was feeling discouraged, and I suggested she come up with a name for herself for this endeavor. She exclaimed "Fitgirl!" and has told me over and over how calling herself "Fitgirl" gets her out of bed and to her workout every day. What name can you come up with for yourself to invigorate (great word - meaning "give life to") your goals?

3. Schedule it.  

So here we are. Be bold. Be Brave. Make your list. If I can do it...so can you! Go Buddha Go!  

Mastering our Minds

Here are a few shots of the great blizzard of 2015 in Chicago. It came in yesterday...and today we have some blue skies. It's beautiful and cold! How I long for palm trees and ocean breezes! 

Here we are...three days into February and I've been chanting to Master my Mind...and to truly grasp the profundity of this teaching.  

It's so interesting how the Gohonzon truly is a mirror of our lives. As I am chanting to master my mind, I am becoming more aware of all the ways that I live that I do NOT master my mind...and it is not so comfortable. But that's why we have the Gohonzon (the scroll Nichiren Daishonin inscribed that represents our highest nature...and all the power of the universe that exists within all of us). Those of us who practice this courageous teaching must be brave. It may not be enjoyable to perceive our shortcomings, but without perceiving them, how can we change them? I am going to continue chanting to master my mind no matter what. 

Another thing that was happening when I was chanting was the rebirth of some dreams I have set aside in my day-to-day comings and goings. What would happen if I actually put the pedal to the metal and made those dreams come true? After chanting I took some small steps into making them come true. 

I also chanted to cherish and praise my life...and in deep appreciation for having this Gohonzon in my life. 
These last 18 months of my son's illness have been pretty consuming. For the moment, I can concentrate on other things as well.  

Onward and upward. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

3 Secrets to Setting and Achieving Our Goals

"This Lifetime will never come again; 
it is precious and irreplaceable. 
To live without regret, 
it is crucial for us to have a concrete purpose 
and continually set goals and challenges for ourselves. 
It is equally important 
that we keep moving toward specific targets 
steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time." 
Daisaku Ikeda, For Today and Tomorrow, page 55. 

We all know we need to make lists and write down our targets and goals, don't we? We've seen the studies that report that college graduates with clear goals achieve more success than others who don't have written goals. But still, somehow it is difficult to write them out and make them. 

Why is Setting Goals difficult? 
1. Many of us have set goals and failed to reach them. Ugh. For more years than I could count I set a goal to lose x amount of weight by my birthday. Raise your hands if you've ever done the same. And we've seen those targets breeze by...losing faith in ourselves. These failures mean nothing. We should make goals anyway. Read on. 
2. Sometimes it's hard for us to decide what our goals ARE. Maybe this does not describe you. Maybe YOU can set clear goals and targets and achieve them every time. Well, for the rest of us it is more difficult. For whatever reason, sometimes I just have the hardest time deciding. So I chant about making the correct decision and bringing wisdom forth from my life. 
3. We're afraid we won't reach our goals. That's a version of number 1 above. Or...maybe we're afraid we WILL reach them, and regret the outcome. 

So as I am making my list of goals I am remembering what some of my favorite mentors have to say about goal setting. 

3 Secrets For Setting Goals 
and Reaching Them! 
By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com, based on the teachings of Tony Robbins. 

1. For every goal you have be clear on WHY you want to achieve that goal. Write your goal...and write WHY you want to achieve it. As a Votary of the Lotus Sutra, all of my goals include the vow to show actual proof through my own life that the impossible is possible. Years ago before I lost about 50 pounds I wrote down all of the reasons I wanted to lose this weight. I still have that list and have referred to it over and over through the years. 

2. Make yourself an inspiring name for this goal. I have a friend who embarked upon a fitness regime with a trainer. After a few days she was feeling discouraged, and I suggested she come up with a name for herself for this endeavor. She exclaimed "Fitgirl!" and has told me over and over how calling herself "Fitgirl" gets her out of bed and to her workout every day. What name can you come up with for yourself to invigorate (great word - meaning "give life to") your goals?

3. Schedule it. 

So here we are, January 20th. Be bold. Be Brave. Make your list. If I can do it...so can you! Go Buddha Go!  

Making Our Troubles No More than "Dust in the Wind"

In the important Gosho "The Opening of the Eyes", Nichiren Daishonin displays for us, engraves for us, and explains for us his towering life force...the same life force that we all, as Votaries of the Lotus Sutra possess. He brought this life force out of himself and we can too. That's one of the purposes of this practice...to be happy amidst the struggles of daily life, not in spite of them and not begrudging them. 

It's words really hit home for me since I feel I have been assailed with extreme "persecutions" for the last year and a half. His words helped me to see once again that I can change my view of what is going on, no matter how jaw-dropping it is. I have the choice, and so do all of us, to embrace our karma, vow to change it, and remain as unshakable as Nichiren. 

In The Opening of The Eyes, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

"This I will state. Let the gods forsake me. Let all persecutions assail me. Still I will give my life for the sake of the law...

"Here I will make a great vow. Though I might be offered the rulership of Japan if I would only abandon the Lotus Sutra, accept the teachings of the Meditation Sutra, and look forward to rebirth in the Pure Land, though I might be told that my father and mother will have their heads cut off if I do not recite the Nembutsu - whatever obstacles I might encounter, so long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will never yield! 

All other troubles are no more to me than dust in the wind.

Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbor doubt in our hearts, we will, as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught to my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbor doubts and abandon their faith. 
Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes."

From The Opening of the Eyes by Nichiren Daishonin. 

I wish I could write more, but I have to run off this morning. In the meantime I am thinking of the vision of all my troubles being dust in the wind...and having the confidence that I am a worthy Bodhisattva of the Earth and my happiness is important. Just like yours! 

PowerPrayer for the Dynamic Year of the Development of YOU!

This morning I woke up still not feeling well and I called my wonderful leader for guidance on how to chant to overcome this illness. 
She said I need to focus on myself, and not just my karma, but also my own happiness. She reminded me how important my own happiness is. She said my sons are the reflection of me, and I need to focus on my happiness so that they can be happy. 
She reminded me that this is the year of dynamic development. She told me she had her own determination to make this the year of Dynamic Development for herself and I thought that made excellent sense. So I just finished chanting an hour of daimoku and feel a million times better. As I was chanting I was thinking these powerful thoughts for writing a PowerPrayer for you. Here it is:

PowerPrayer for the Dynamic Year of the Development of ___________________your name here! 

My life has Immeasurable Power!
I now tap into the immeasurable power of my own life! 
I now focus on changing my thoughts, words and deeds so that I can be HAPPY!
I embrace my karma as my mission!
I welcome this opportunity to create my own happiness. 
Fundamental darkness - you have no place here!
Fundamental darkness you have the wrong address!
I rid my life of all self-slander. 
I celebrate my life. 
I bask in appreciation 
for my own immeasurably powerful life~ ! 

Winning Over Ourselves is the Ultimate Battle

PowerPrayer for Overcoming Obstacles (Sansho Shima!)

SGI World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan

November 18th ~ the opening of the new Worldwide Headquarters of the SGI is getting closer. Many of us are determined to permanently change our karma between now and then. Many of us are challenging shakubuku goals and personal goals. And we are facing obstcles, of course! 
I know my obstacles have risen up in front of me like a huge wall. I also know, that as Daisaku Ikeda states, on the other side of every wall is a HUGE expanse. I am determined to get there. Below is a PowerPrayer for Overcoming (and recognizing) Obstacles. 

As you know, in any worthy endeavor obstacles HAVE to arise. They are a natural function of life. But the important question is this ~ Can we see them for what they are, necessary obstacles to FUEL our determination and make us chant HARDER? Or are we FOOLED by them into thinking "Oh well, I guess I wasn't supposed to do this anyway" and then give up? Are we stuck blaming the other person or the obstacle, or can we see them for what they ARE - our own karma to change? It is up to each of us to either determine to win, or just succumb to losing.

The first step is recognizing them for what they are:
"When devilish functions are recognized for what they are, they lose their power."
Daisaku Ikeda, June 2013, Living Buddhism page 23. 

The second step is rousing our determination and roaring from the depths of our lives with the full force of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we are! 

(Please do not copy and paste this PowerPrayer. If you wish to share it please cut and past the url or share it using the buttons at the bottom of the post. This PowerPrayer is copywritten and from Julia Landis' and my upcoming book The BuddhaZone, PowerPrayers for Chanting Your Way to Absolute Happiness and Success)

PowerPrayers are meant to be kept in mind while chanting to help focus on outcomes. 
Please email chantforhappiness@gmail.com with your victories from using these PowerPrayers and you could be in my second book.

PowerPrayer for Winning Over Obstacles (Sansho Shima):

Hello, Sansho Shima, 
I was expecting you.
I recognize you for what you are.

Sansho Shima, I see you for what you are! 
No way! 
Not this time
Not any more. 
I'm in charge now.
I AM Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
I am roaring like a lion.
You  are not real, you  have no power here.
On the contrary, 
I take your pure energy now, and though my Daimoku I make you my ally, instead. 
Shoten Zenjin! Support me in every single action I take towards my goal. I am doing the Buddha's work on earth. Support me in every way!

I now use this obstacle to refuel my determination
and I will chant   ______  number of hours
every day until until I have ultimate victory.
I will win over_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sansho Shima, I am now turning you into Shoten Zenjin! 
You are now the cause 
for victory in the lives of those I will
encourage by sharing this story.
You are now part of a powerful 
and inspirational story of victory.

Sansho Shima! You don't scare me! 
I am raising my life condition
and the life condition of ALL 
by challenging and winning over YOU Sansho Shima! 

Rooooaaaaarrrrrrrr!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

From the Muddy Swamp we turn Mud to GOLD!

The Muddy Swamp is where we are "born." 
The Muddy Swamp is where all our stories begin. 
Our own personal muddy swamps are the mud that we transmute to GOLD as modern-day alchemists. 
And we have found the secret formula to transmute mud to gold: chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over and over...and over and over...every day of our lives...not giving up for ONE second. (Well, maybe we do give up for one second, until a fellow SGI member (and good friend in faith) hauls us back onto the boat and we make a fresh new determination to win once again!) 
Here's an excerpt from our book The BuddhaZone, PowerPrayers for Chanting Your Way to Absolute Happiness about the Lotus Flower:

The lotus is a very special and unusual flower. It is the only flower in the known natural world that produces both blossoms and seeds simultaneously, whereas other flowers tend to flower first, then  dry up and then produce seed pods. Others, still, make seeds and then flowers. In either case, neither one does it simultaneously as does the lotus. But wait, there's more: the lotus exists on both land and water, more accurately in land and above water. Each lotus seed eventually finds its way down to the bottom of the pond and makes of its rich murky and dark loam a profound root bed. It draws the composting muck at the bottom of the pond up though its body and turns it into the precise nourishment needed to produce an astonishingly beautiful blossom that hovers just above the water through which it came. When we talk about the Lotus as Buddhists, we are talking about peace  of mind, self sufficiency, happiness, and most importantly, simultaneity. 

Simultaneity is a big word for people. What the heck does it mean, really? The Buddha taught through the  Lotus Sutra the astonishing fact that all causes and effects exist simultaneously. In fact, all time truly exists simultaneously. Because of this, when we pray as Buddhists, things start to manifest right away. And, if we really look, we will begin to recognize the signs that our prayer is having an effect as soon as we begin chanting. 

Through this practice, one realizes that the Lotus, which is emblematic of our very life, blooms not in spite of the murky depths, but because of them. Thus, the deeper the swampy mess of our life, the more "dross" or base matter we have at our disposal, so to speak, to use as we make of it our very own alchemical golden happiness. No trouble is too serious, no disaster too tragic, no loss too painful for the mystically beautiful process of value creation that is our essential and true purpose, once we have come to understand who it is that we truly are: The Lotus aka The Buddha.

We owe the brilliance of our lives to the Muddy Swamp! Tina Turner turned her Muddy Swamp into a world of gold...and in her mid-seventies shines forth with the radiance of the mystic law. 

And throughout our lives we return to our own Muddy Swamp to dig up something that we can turn to gold. As Daisaku Ikeda says " We summoned this storm!" Usually it looks as though something has "happened" to us. But in reality is something from our own lives...a challenge...an obstacle...an opportunity to turn poison into medicine through chanting the name of the mystic law. 

And all of us are alike. We all share challenges together - which is what makes the SGI organization of Buddhist practitioners so important. We each grow and learn from each other. In August, as you may know, I launched the Worldwide Million Daimoku Campaign (It's not too late to join the Worldwide Million Daimoku Campaign. Just set your goals, make a chart that represents 300 hours and start your own Million Daimoku Campaign. You can have a set end date if you want (mine is the end of the year so I am chanting 2 hours a day), or you can have no set end date and that's okay too...just check off one space for each hour you chant. Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com to let me know you're in!)

Right after I launched this campaign I went deep into the muddy swamp with someone I love with all my heart. It's too early to share the details, but I can tell you that it is getting better and better and better, and my fierce determination to win in every aspect of the situation has never wavered, no matter how wildly my emotions were jumping about. I will use this experience to inspire others. And my loved one will do the same! 

Just like being on a boat...I have a rudder to my life...the rudder of Nam-myoho-renge kyo. And as long as I keep my hand on that rudder by chanting abundant daimoku, encouraging and chanting with others, doing shakubuku and studying...I know I WILL WIN. There is no doubt in my mind. One dear friend received her Gohonzon in August, and another will receive theirs next week. 

Just remember, no matter how muddy it seems...and sometimes it feels like we are really stuck in that mud...by basing our lives on this practice we will WIN. Winning means happiness. Winning means actual proof. Winning means inspiring other. Winning means strength and fulfillment in life. 

We are all winners as long as we don't give up!

Join me in Bali in November! I will be leading a workshop from November 16th through the 22nd on brining out your inner Buddha. We'll explore Bali together and deepen our faith in our own innate, powerful Buddhahood! 
Visit Love Your Spirit Tours to enroll!