4 Steps to Improving Our Gongyo and improving our lives

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about Gongyo from Faith into Action, one of my favorite books of quotes by Daisaku Ikeda, arranged by category. 

"Gongyo is a practice that calls forth and activates 
the infinite power the microcosm inherently possesses. 
It transforms your fate, 
breaks through any apparent dead end 
and converts suffering into happiness. 
It creates a transformation, 
a revolution of the microcosm. 
It is a diagram in miniature of kosen-rufu in our lives." 
Page 116

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion," 
the Daishonin says (MW-1,119). 
It is by chanting powerful daimoku like a lion's roar 
that we can move the Buddhist deities, 
the protective forces of the universe. 
The voice is very important ~ it has profound power. 
While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope that you will endeavor 
to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku 
that reaches all the Buddhist deities 
and Buddhas throughout the ten directions." 
Page 119

As always, the words I write here are mine alone. I do not represent the Soka Gakkai although I am an active and enthusiastic member. Jamie Lee Silver, Chantforhappiness.com

Nichiren Buddhism is called a "practice" because we are constantly improving and honing our daily life by using our daily practice. We see the results of our daily practice every single day.

We do "Gongyo" our recitation of the Lotus Sutra twice a day. The recent book called "The Heart of the Lotus Sutra" gives us great insight into the meaning of gongyo in our lives. I really recommend this book. You can get it using the SGI link on the right or going to sgiusa.org. When I do Gongyo I am aware that I am speaking the words of the Buddha...and I AM the Buddha. Each of us IS the Buddha! 

Most of us have experienced that when we skip gongyo it takes more energy to do things in life. The flow fades away. Happiness seems to fade away too.  So we make a determination to do gongyo twice a day and stick to it with just the occasional recitation of sansho (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo recited three times) when gongyo just cannot be done in entirety.

This is a practice for our whole lives. We can't get all upset about an occasional slip up. AND we can focus on continual self improvement in our lives and in our practice. 

So --- 
Today I am going to focus on one aspect of improving Gongyo and thereby improving our lives...

A FRESH DETERMINATION TO start and complete Gongyo without interruption. 

I know, I know. We live in an interruptive society. In America we are constantly interrupted by just about everything...texts, calls, people...and our own restlessness!

The other day I was reflecting on some things in my life that are unfinished. Not long after that I realized that sometimes I step up to do something before reciting the four prayers at the end of Gongyo. Hmmm. Life is cause and effect, right? 

So I'm issuing all of us a challenge. 
Every day, twice a day, let's focus on starting and completing gongyo without interruption. We can do it! We can put away our cell phones. We can complete the silent prayers at the end before we get up to make more tea. Then if we still want to chant we can return to chant. But we will have completed gongyo. 

4 steps for improving Gongyo

1. Make the determination to do it! 
2. Put the phone away
3. Chant Gongyo from beginning to end
4. Don't get up until after the last prayer

Can we do it? Yes! 

Do you have some tips for completing gongyo for us? 

Write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

We ALL have Access to Happiness and Success

It is true! I am living the dream! And YOU can too! 
I wake up each day glad to be alive, looking forward to events, and knowing, that no matter what confronts me, I have the key to happiness right here in my own living room, right here within my own life. 

This year I faced my largest obstacle and chanted like the house was on fire...and it was. Right now I am enjoying the fruits of my labor...and continuing to chant as many hours as I can every day.  Everything seems possible. All happiness...all love...all financial fortune...everything I've ever wanted, not just for me, but for those I love, our country and the world. 

I've often quoted Josei Toda's quote about experiencing Buddhahood. He says it is as if we are lying on the top of a beautiful mountain and opening our arms and all that we desire coming to us. It is a feeling of freedom...freedom from fear...freedom from the world of hunger...free to be happy. 

This is what I've learned:

When we persist in our practice,
chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo...  
Use EVERY obstacle and problem 
as a springboard to happiness, 
Realize "I summoned this storm! 
It is my GIFT to change it 
and encourage people through the process!
Say "YES ME!" instead of "WHY ME?"
Turn every poison into medicine... 
Chant every morning and evening, 
Encourage others, 
Go to SGI meeting
Study the works of Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Daishonin
and stay close to the heart of our mentor...
Break through our own inner feelings of doubt...
Freedom is OURS! 
We all have access to this world of happiness 
within our own lives. 

Daisaku Ikeda talks about success in life in 
For Today and Tomorrow page 131:

"What is success in life? 
Who are the truly successful?
There are famous and powerful people
who become pitiful in old age. 
There are people who die alone, 
feeling empty and desolate inside. 
Just what is success? 
The English thinker Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote:
"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, 
to maintain this ecstasy, 
is success in life." 
The person who lives life fully, 
glowing with life's energy, 
is the person who lives a successful life."

Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

THIS existence passes by in an instant 

but our lives themselves are eternal. 

Please be deeply confident 

that all your present efforts and hard work 

will contribute to your eternal happiness. 

That is why it is important never to retreat in faith, 

no matter how daunting the difficulties you may encounter. Do not be afraid. 

If you retreat or let yourself be ruled by fear, 

you will be the one to lose. 

“For your own sake and for the future, 

do not backslide in faith! 

Do not be afraid! 

Persevere in faith!” – 

This is Nichiren Daishonin’s message.

ONE saying goes that people will not exceed their dreams. So you should have big dreams. 

But you must recognize at the same time 

that dreams are dreams and reality is reality. 

It is natural, therefore, that to achieve big dreams, 

you must view your situation realistically 

and work with your entire being to see that they come true.


REALITY is harsh. 

You must courageously challenge the stern realities of life and win, and win again, in everything – 

in your daily lives, 

at work, 

at school 

and in your homes. 

Buddhism and faith 

are the driving force for unlimited improvement.


WHAT is the most important in one’s practice of faith? 

It is to have courage. 

Courage is the source of 

justice, happiness, comradeship and benefit.


ONE who can always give courage and hope 

to others is great. 

To bring courage and hope to each person we meet, 

we must make sure 

that passion and conviction burn bright in our lives. 

Thus, we will become true leaders.

 

Source: Volume 1 to 5, Daily Guidance, Singapore Soka Association

Turn "Why Me?" Into "Yes Me!" and Change Your Karma Immediately!

We've all been there. 
We've all had that moment when we can't believe that WE, after however many years of practice, are facing a HUGE OBSTACLE. Even though we KNOW that we summoned this storm of obstacles as the perfect exercise to strengthen our faith and get take our lives to the next level...sometimes it doesn't feel like that!  

It seems, sometimes, that no matter how much we study, and we KNOW huge obstacles bring huge benefits, and HUGE obstacles come to people making HUGE POSITIVE CAUSES, that sometimes obstacles still, as my mother would say, "throw us for a loop." (I wonder where that phrase came from?) and we go into Obstacle Shock. 
I guess we could also call this a "reactionary" phase. Sometimes I call it the "Wah Wah Wah" phase, when my life is reeling from the impact of a huge obstacle. 

What is "Obstacle Shock?" How do we know we're in it? 
Here are some recent observations from my own experience:

3 Ways to know 
You're in "Obstacle Shock" 

by Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com

1. When we're in "Obstacle Shock" we go around with the constant thought "This can't be happening to me. These things happen to other people; not to me," and our brain gets caught in the endless "Why me?" loop. We wonder how we could have drawn this obstacle into our lives and are dumbfounded to find a karmic connection. It just feels unreal...like we're living someone else's life.  It can be hard to concentrate on anything, whether it's chanting, or work, or....anything. 

2. It is HARD to chant. Really hard to chant. Hard to focus. Some people stop chanting altogether. Most of us soldier on...every morning and evening doing our very best to connect...but somehow feeling "off our game", and if feels as if our Daimoku just isn't as powerful as it usually is. We may feel as if we are going through the motions. 

4. We pull away from our friends in faith. Not always. But sometimes. When it comes time to go to a meeting it may feel like we're just out of synch, and it's easier to say "Oh I'm going through this incredible obstacle, I just don't have time to get to a meeting now!" Or "I can't call members to encourage them! I have ________obstacle going on now!" And of course, we know, somewhere deep inside that it's more important than ever to get to that meeting! The time to change this is now. The faster we get out of Obstacle Shock the better! 

4 Ways to turn "Why Me" into "Yes Me!" and advance Powerfully Into Victory! 

1. We keep chanting, even when it feels like we're "out of synch" or that somehow our prayer doesn't feel as deep. We keep chanting, and studying!

2. We don't make ourselves "wrong" for feeling this way, and struggling to chant. We remember it's a natural part of the practice, and keep going to the best of our ability. 

3. We nurture ourselves. We do what feels good to us. We are our own best friends. What feels good to you? Yoga, being with friends, walking, energy healing, massage, writing, singing? Whatever it is...do it! 

4. Use the organization. It is here for all of us! The Soka Gakkai is full of individuals sharing their joy and determination. It is up to each of us to use it! We can always Invite others to chant with us...or go to their homes. And we know we will "Click Back In" when we persevere, and are able to switch our attention back to our mission for kosen-rufu. 

I had a woman from LA encouraging me when I was getting out of Obstacle Shock. She said everything changed for her when she re~embraced her mission for kosen rufu and began focusing on shakubukuing youth. She ended up being invited in to speak to youth who were struggling, and helped many families to begin their Buddhist practice. She took her own HUGE obstacle and turned it into a HUGE benefit. She "Clicked Back In" and achieved Victory for herself and her family. 

Our challenge is to get to the other side of "Obstacle Shock" and turn "Why Me" into "Yes Me!" where we click back in to our missions as Boddhisatvas of the earth. If we persevere this will definitely happen! 

Daisaku Ikeda says: 

"The important thing is to advance brightly, 
to strive for victory each moment, 
right where we are; 
to begin something here and now 
instead of worrying over what may happen. 
This is the starting point for transforming our lives."

Faith in Action, page 75

Chanting in Joyful Appreciation!

This morning I awaken with a joyful heart. I had a wonderful weekend full of exciting events and surprises. This morning's gongyo was pure appreciation. Every.  Single.  Minute. 
Just focusing on all the things I am grateful for gives rise to a joyous heart and a state free from fear. 

Has every single thing I am chanting for happened? No. So many things are still in flux, but that is life itself. It is, as Linda Johnson put it this weekend "a constant struggle to overcome our own belief and negativity that what we want is not possible." We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to naturally give rise to the strength, courage, light and happiness that we draw from within our own lives. How wonderful! 

Today's Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda in 
For Today and Tomorrow reads:

"No matter where we go, 
we cannot escape 
from the sufferings that are part and parcel of life. 
If we cannot avoid these sufferings, 
then our only choice is to overcome them. 
And since we have no choice but to overcome them, 
then we might as well 
live joyfully and vigorously while doing so. 
Let's continue to strive and chant daimoku to the end!"

How fortunate we are to have the tool of chanting to overcome our sufferings. How cool it is that we can bloom in happiness even in our struggles...we bloom because of our struggles. Our wisdom and study brings us to the point where we appreciate everything...even our obstacles...because we KNOW that these obstacles are exactly what we need to exercise that muscle of faith...and become even more strong and courageous every day. 

I will give a full report on Linda Johnson's speech from this weekend at the Chicago SGI Center when I have a few moments to decipher my notes. Every time I hear her speak I gain new perspective!

Have a Great day...or night my friends! 

PowerPrayer to Find a Kosen-Rufu Life Partner~!

What is a PowerPrayer? It's a FRESH DETERMINATION meant to focus your mind while chanting. I recommend reading the PowerPrayer before chanting, then chanting with all your heart, and focusing entirely on your life. This determination was sent to me from a female reader in India. She says it has helped many women to achieve their dreams of attaining a KosenRufu life partner. I've made a few changes. As always, I do not post this in an official SGI capacity. I am a 30 year practicing member and I post to share my heart, my life and my determinations. I greatly appreciate all the friends I have made all over the world through this blog! 

I post this for all my readers who are sincerely looking for love. 

PowerPrayer to 
Find a Kosen-Rufu Life Partner!
from ChantforHappiness.com by Jamie Lee Silver 6/1/14

Life!

I VOW to live my life to spread the Mystic Law - Nam myoho-renge-kyo! I vow to show actual proof that nothing is impossible! 

I vow to work for the happiness of all beings and the advancement of kosen-rufu.
(World Peace through individual happiness - a world of respect for all of life)

I determine to recognize, arouse, manifest, and respect my Buddhahood as well as that of others. 

I am determined to change in any way possible - I am open to change and invite it! I am evolving with every single daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) into the person I want to be...filled with wisdom, compassion and love! I know I am attracting a mate who is loving and wise. 

Life! I have a kosen-rufu home! A home that shines with the brilliance, the light, the happiness of a family dedicated to individual happiness, and the happiness of all others.

I am now happily united and married to my true love and kosen-rufu partner. He is a nice, wise, kind, healthy, happy, handsome,  responsible, dependable, and prosperous man, who approves of and supports me in all the areas of life… in all our Gakkai activities. 

We work together for the spread of the Law and attainment of kosen-rufu. 

We love, value, trust, respect, appreciate, and accept each other from heart, mind, body, and soul. We are true and honest to each other and have a beautiful, mutually enriching, and deeply fulfilling relationship. All the other distractions and obstacles melt down and fade away of their own accord amicably from our life. 

Our union is supported, protected, promoted, and blessed by Brahma, Shakra, the gods of the Sun and the Moon and all the positive and protective forces of the Universe. We perceive, feel, hear, understand, and respond to each other’s Buddha nature… Gohonzon, make my Kosen-rufu life partner emerge and let us recognize and unite with each other. My KRLP contacts me today and we both respond well to each other. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Gohonzon, I determine to enter the institution of marriage in perfect faith, enthusiasm, happiness, and confidence in my own and my partner’s worth. I feel complete appreciation and respect for myself and my partner. I love myself, I respect myself, I value myself, I cherish myself, I appreciate myself, I accept myself completely. I am thankful and grateful for my life and everything that I have got in my life. I pray and determine to get connected and engaged to my Kosen-rufu life partner by _____________. 

We both love, respect, understand, cooperate, and appreciate each other in every aspect of life. I determine to have the wisdom, courage and opportunities to make the right choice at the right time regarding my marriage and life partner. Through my happy and successful married life, I determine to encourage and show the actual proof of the benefits obtained from the power of the Mystic Law to all the members of the SGI and others.

I determine to discard the transient and reveal the True in all areas of my life. When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs. I demand clarity and wisdom. 

I demand protection from all the positive forces of the Universe. Gohonzon, (Life!) put me on my correct path...in the orbit of making constant good causes, happiness and contentment. I call upon Brahma, Shakra and the gods of Sun and Moon to enter my life and illuminate it ... I have the wisdom to make the right decision at the right time.. I have a mission as the Bodhisattva of the Earth. 

I am going to get married to my KRP in the most beautiful and harmonious manner. “This sutra can fulfill their desires, as a clear cool pond can satisfy all those who are thirsty,” and “They will enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.”

Gohonzon, I am determined to have a KR marriage, a KR husband, a KR home, and a life dedicated to the spread of the Mystic Law and the attainment of kosen-rufu. I am a Bodhisattva of the Earth.. I pledge to work for the Law.. to complete my mission. The core of my life is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Illuminated by the Mystic Law, I soar like a Queen and attract, accept, and enjoy all the good fortunes of every kind from all the directions of the Universe.. Thank You Gohonzon.. Thank you so much… 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo .. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo .. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo 

Signed By:    

Dated:          

The More You Chant the More You WANT to Chant!

Have you ever experienced this phenomenon...that the more you chant the more you want to chant? 

I am in this phase right now. Every morning I just don't want to stop! I can feel the power welling forth from my life. 

I can feel myself getting stronger and wiser and more courageous. I am able to bat down sadness...or depression...or fear before it takes root. If I start to feel sad I know just what to do...take a walk...chant. It's immediate. I am not dwelling in the land of sadness that used to engulf me on a daily basis. That is over. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

What is so great about this practice is we can change our basic life tendencies that make us unhappy. We Buddhists, we KNOW that our biggest demons are our own negativity. We KNOW that the power of creating happiness comes from within. 

We just have to continually muster the power to overcome that negativity...no matter WHAT is going on in our lives. We need to have enough Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) on board so that when our inner demons arise (fear, anger, stupidity, depression, defeat...) when THOSE arise we RISE UP STRONGER through accessing our own power...through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, studying and encouraging others! 

It is a wonderful way of living. So worth-while! And we know, that no matter what the effects are TODAY, that we are creating a life of splendor and beauty and happiness. 

I am just like you. I have changed some major things. And I am working on some others. 

I wish I had a a man to love in my life...a deep...everlasting love. So many of you write me about this, and I know how hard it is. Trust me. Lately I seem to attract men who fall head over heels for me and then disappear. But I will not be defeated. I choose to be amused. And I know he's coming. I know I will have my kosen-rufu partner, and I know you will have yours...as long as we don't give up. 

If you have an inspiring story to share with us please send it to me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com so you can inspire readers all over the world!