Michael's Encouraging Experience

I am a former foster kid and I was born with drugs in my system.  I had a very tough life growing up. I ended up in the foster care system at 11, emancipated and ended up homeless at 19. I lived place to place and ended up in a homeless shelter for youth 18-24 years old. I stayed there for about a year and got into some legal issues and went to jail. I had a fight and was defending myself but the legal system does not always work in favor of young black men. They attempted to have me accept 5 years in prison my first time ever in-trouble with the law. 

I found my way to a non-profit organization called The Alliance for Children's Rights who help former foster kids find housing and a variety of other legal issues. The CEO of this organization just happens to be Buddhist and she introduced me to the practice and chanting nam myoho renge kyo. I didn't delve into it then. I was very standoffish about chanting. I thought I was evoking some evil demons lol superstitions can get the best of you and keep you close minded.  I had christian beliefs when entering this practice so I didn't want to burn in hell for all eternity lol. I finally got through that legal issue and I still had to serve time in jail. 

When I got out I was homeless again and I was 21 years old. I found my way into a living situation where I meet my first district in California. I was told I could chant for anything and what I needed at that time was a better living situation. I was living in a roach infested apartment with mold and a disgusting roommate who always had people over. So I chanted for the perfect living situation. Not only did I find the perfect living situation but the non profit orginization that was helping me through my legal issues offered me an internship working for them. At this time I was barely chanting and not really that into it. I worked this internship position for 6months and decided I wanted to go back to college. 

I started my first semester of college and upon looking for my African american studies class on the first day I was really early and started talking to my teacher about Egypt and past lives and I found out that coincidentally she was Buddhist as-well so she is the person who helped give me the encouragement to go all the way in the practice. I continued chanting and overcame homelessness. I also joined a mentor-ship and now I have a support system. 

One of the benefits was that my mentor was a surgeon and I had recently found out I had a tumor on my back. This mentor was able to help me get the tumor removed with no cost to me at all. I also received student of the year and a few other scholarships including one sponsored by Jay-Z the rapper who put a scholarship out there for economically disadvantaged youth. I was able to purchase a car and I have not been homeless since I started chanting. 

Chanting brought me a support system and positive perspective. I can now control my anger. I am able to forgive my relatives who I had resented. No one else in my family is Buddhist and I caught so much crap.  But through my own actual proof and chanting I have been able to introduce friends and close people in my life who have seen such a drastic change in me.  This practice is real and it helped and is still helping me each and every single day.

Have Limitless Faith in the Power of Your Own Life

Yes

This is a great visual of human revolution. Inside all of us is incredible power. When we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo facing the Gohonzon with all our heart we bring out the lion within. 

Nichiren Daishonin says in the Gosho "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the Roar of a Lion what sickness can therefore be an obstacle?" (From Reply to Kyo'o, The Collected Writings of Nichiren Daishonin) 

"Sickness" can be anything. It can be illness, depression, abuse. It can be the negativity in our own hearts and heads. It can be anything in our lives that we don't want. Our chanting can take care of that sickness, and rid it from our lives completely. It starts with a strong practice. 

The beginning of the year is an excellent time to resolve to strengthen your practice. It's a great time to resolve "I am going to practice harder than ever this year, and I will finally overcome_______(you fill in the blank). That is how you make the impossible possible. 

Continually remaking this determination is how I fulfilled a lifetime goal of mine. It's how I lost the weight I'd carried my whole life. After continually making this determination, year after year, I finally found out that the foods I was eating were actually making me more hungry and making it impossible to reach my goals. By this time I had developed the inner strength it too to totally change my diet. I'd also gotten the fortune to have friends who could guide me on the path by showing me all the new and exciting foods I could eat. This enabled me to switch my focus from what I couldn't eat to what I could eat. (Thank you dear Julia!) I developed healthy habits that now come easily to me. I feel and look better than ever. But this did not come the very first time I made the determination. I had to make it  over and over and over and after continual practice I achieved my goal. I didn't give up although some years I did feel discouraged. But I persisted. And I won. This was a goal that for many years felt absolutely impossible. And I won. 

In "My Dear Friends in America, Collected U.S.Addresses 1990-1996" Daisaku Ikeda says in the essay "Buddhism is the Clear Mirror that Reflects our Lives" 

       "If you practice faith while doubting its effects, you will get results that are, at  best, unsatisfactory. This is the reflection of your own weak faith in the mirror of the cosmos.

      "On the other hand, when you stand up with strong conviction, you will accumulate limitless blessings. While controlling your mind, which is at once both extremely subtle and solemnly profound, you should strive to elevate your faith with freshness and vigor." When you do so, both your life and your surroundings will open wide before you and every action you take will become a source of benefit. Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime..."

And, as Daisaku Ikeda repeatedly says: "Don't Give Up!" 

      

     

Financial Determination by a reader to get out of Debt

Here's a note from a blog reader friend in England:

"Just a quick note to say thanks to your blog; I was chanting yesterday morning and had a realization, a fundamental shift in my attitude and wrote it down on my prayer; I determined to lose the FEAR of debt that has dominated my life for so long.  I was determined to work to pay them off and have made great progress there (action) but my attitude had stayed the same. I start thinking about one debt and all the others crown in to try and overwhelm me.    I am about halfway thru my million daimoku on this subject and finally 'got' it.   And today, I was reading a lecture by Sensei.  I substitute the word debt for sickness and it's like he's talking to me:  ...'there is no reason to allow yourself to be controlled by illness (debt), for it to fill your life with suffering and distress.  From the standpoint of eternal life through the three existences, your fundamentally happy self is incontrovertibly established.' 
 I vowed to feel financially secure.  My months goal is to pay my £4'622.06 tax bill in full and on time at the end of this month.
 
It's just such a remarkable start to the year.  I have one insight, raise my ichinen and have a stonking business day. No coincidence."

Awesome! We can all use this idea to overcome anything! 

You can change ANYTHING through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

I have gotten many emails lately, and I have not been able to respond to every single one. The guidelines I give below are for everyone. These are my suggestions alone. I do not represent anyone or anything except my own experience. It works for me! 

If you've been chanting to change things in your life...if you've been chanting about relationships, your career etc...consider looking inward and chanting to change yourself. Changing your SELF - doing your human revolution is vital to your successfull practice. 

What is the process?

1. Own the problem...realize that whatever you want to change may LOOK like it is outside yourself...but it's roots are within your life. That means that you cannot complain or say "WHY ME?". Really you have to own it...not BLAME yourself for it...not feel guilty about it. It's okay to get a little angry and make a fierce and roaring declaration to change whatever you need to change.

2. Turn your prayer INWARD. Chant to change YOURSELF. Chant to have the courage to make the changes you need to make in order to generate the results you want to create in your life. Remember that all change starts from within. And your environment will change to reflect the inner changes you have made. 

A SuperPrayers to accomplish this could be:

"I am determined to make any changes I need in my thoughts, my actions, my chanting, to make continual positive causes that will result in rooting the cause of -____________(fill in the blank with your challenge here) my negative karma OUT OF MY LIFE!  I am determined to make the changes inside myself...to do my own human revolution and raise my life condition! I am determined to change in any way I need to change to attract the .......(you fill in the blank) into my life. Life! I am bringing the determination, wisdom and fire I need to create the life of my dreams. I AM NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! I AM ROARING LIKE A LION IN MY OWN LIFE! I WILL CREATE MY LIFE! I do this not only for me, but for everyone who is suffering. I will lead the way for fellow sufferers. I am determined to glow within my own life. I am determined to be a shining light for all who are suffering. I am determined to be the beacon of hope that ANYONE can solve their problems by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I am ready to meet people who are ready to hear about this practice!  I chant to have the most inspiring life. Gohonzon (my life) I need to see these results now!"

I also advise: 

1. Chant one hour every single morning to the absolute best of your ability. And do evening Gongyo every day too. 

2. Encourage others who practice, and tell everyone about the power of this practice. I plant seeds everywhere I go by giving out Nam Myoho Renge Kyo cards. Planting seeds is a tremendous cause for your life, for their life and for our shared peace and happiness together, Kosen Rufu. Chant for others. 

3. Study President Ikeda's guidance and the Gosho with your life. Chant to understand his words with your life. Chant to understand the master and disciple relationship with your life. 

4. Go to SGI activities with joy in your heart and an aim to contribute as much as you can and make the most of every meeting. Your spirit while attending these meetings makes a difference. 

5. Every morning before you get up think of at least 10 things you appreciate about your life. My mother took my advice when she was feeling sad, and it changed her whole outlook she says. 



You can do this! You Buddha YOU!

A New Beginning

Hello, welcome to the first full work week of the new year.

This weekend I rearranged my entire living room. I added a couch and moved my TV into the corner where it belongs and put my altar in the center of the living room. Now all the members will be able to see it better. I also finally found the perfect altar light. I know that this change will have a profound effect on my life, and the lives of the precious members who come to my house to chant. I look forward to sharing many victories with you. 

I'm set for the New Year.

Have you written your new determinations for the new year yet? If not, it is not too late.

This morning I am focusing on creating a beautiful future and appreciating the wonderful life I have. I am chanting to join spirits with Daisaku Ikeda and for my life to be a living example of the power of this practice. 

I am working on a great benefit to be able to report to you. It's not ready yet, and I am not sure how long it will take. The important thing when going through any challenge is to keep your head high, keep chanting strong daimoku, keep encouraging other people and don't stop chanting until you get the benefit. Not giving up is the most important thing.

Have a great day. 

Trust Your Prayer

I just talked to one of the members of my SGI District. 

I will post her whole experience as soon as she has finished writing it...but in the meantime here is a synopsis. 

My young friend received her Gohonzon on New Year's Day two years ago. She got some immediate benefits and really appreciated the Gohonzon, but could never really chant twice a day and she was only able to make about 3 meetings a year. 

Right before Christmas she lost her job. She came over and we spent a lot of time together. her background was traditional Buddhism and she was taught to appreciate her life, but to never ask for anything specific in her prayer. As you know this practice advises us to chant for exactly what we want. 

She went away on a vacation she'd planned and chanted twice a day the whole time. She chanted for a job to be waiting for her when she returned, and boom ~ she got her new job within two days of returning home. And it's a job that will give her the time to come to meetings. She'll be coming to the youth Division kick-off meeting in Chicago at 10:00 this Sunday. 

She said she chanted for it to be easy, and she trusted her prayer. 

Awesome! 

Power Prayers for the New Year

Ahhh, great sunset. I wish I were still on my cruise! Instead I am with my family visiting Cleveland where it is very wintery here...snowbanks and everything.

I am still focusing on chanting about my New Year's Determinations and Power Prayers. I know the moment of power is now. There are, as always, many things left unfinished from last year's goals and it's important not to get feel too bad about them. The other day I made a list of all the accomplishments I made last year, and all the things I feel good about. That is a great place to start!

At the New Year it is time to:


Make a new determination
Make a fresh determination
Make a bold determination!

What  does this mean?

Making a determination sets your course. It's like a compass. It can move your life. It is a powerful tool. It is a cry of the heart. Once you make a determination your life begins to move in the direction you have set! 

So how do you do it?

It starts with your desire. Some of my best determinations come when I am in front of the Gohonzon chanting. That's why I always have pen and paper handy.

What's the difference between a goal and a determination?

Goals are usually short and set in time. "I will lose 20 pounds by my birthday." Sound familiar? "I will get straight "A"s this year. Get the idea?

A determination goes deeper. It can make many changes at once. Here are a few examples of mine.

"I vow to create VICTORY in every aspect of my life! 

Determination for strong faith:

I am determined to use this faith to the best of my ability. Every moment I learn and deepen my prayer. I study and deepen my faith so I can encourage others. I  do morning and evening Gongyo every day and live my life to help others discover this practice. My life is a shining example that this practice works. I live my life as a joyful response to my mentor and an affirmation that I can do anything I desire. 

Some of you know I lost 70 pounds. 
Here is my determination: 

For my Body: I am determined to be healthier, happier, and more fit than I have ever been. I'm determined to find the right practitioners and who will guide me in my path to vibrant health! I feel better and better every single day! I am determined to know which food choices contribute to my overall good health, and to use this knowledge to the best of my ability! 

(Note: since I made this determination I have found exactly what I need to be healthier than ever, and I am putting it into practice)

And when I knew it was time to move on from my marriage I determined to have the kind of divorce that was so positive and uplifting that people would be inspired to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. And two of my friends who saw us going through the divorce process were so inspired they began chanting and have since changed their lives in amazing ways. 

(Note: today, January 3rd I am in Cleveland Ohio with my entire family, Paul and Aaron and Ben - and we are spending time with Julia and Cliff. Julia started chanting when she saw us together two summers ago. Now she is enjoying all the benefits from two years of chanting with determination: her health has returned and she is experiencing love for her husband in a whole new way)

I have a vow for my love life too: 
"I VOW to create Victory in every aspect of my life! I will have the kind of love relationship that brings us both absolute joy! It will grow every day and we will spend our time together delighting in each other's happiness and having fun exploring this wonderful world! Both of us have passion and drive and We will appreciate each other in ways I have never experienced in a relationship, and our love and appreciation will grow and deepen through the years.

(This one has yet to manifest, but I know it will!)

I have determinations for many areas of my life. I believe this is very important for creating the life of my dreams and being happier than I ever thought possible! And all of this is possible for you! That's why I write this blog!!!

You can make a strong determination in every area of your life. And while you are chanting, you can focus on expressing these determinations to your life!

It's the right time to move your life! It's the right time to dig deep! Please share your determinations with me, and share your successes. I am actively gathering material for the book I am writing for you and everyone you wish to inspire. Wouldn't you love to have YOUR story in it? Join me!