You can chant about ANYTHING! Even the weather

We are heading into a weekend with a heat index of about 115! WOW! I hope wherever you are that you are keeping cool and using this practice to overcome EVERY SINGLE CHALLENGE!!!


A few days ago a huge storm was blowing towards us from out of the west. The sky turned black. I brought everything in from the patio and thought about an experience published many years ago. I can't remember the country...I think it was South America. There was a huge mud flow coming down the mountain and destroying everything in its path. The people inside the house were chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and the mud literally went around their house and left it standing. 


Awesome!


So I saw this storm coming in. I turned out all the lights and I chanted with all my heart. I chanted for the protection of people everywhere in its path. I chanted to keep the power in my house ON! (Losing power is no longer the thrill it once was!) And I chanted for anyone in transit to be protected. I also chanted for my children and all my loved ones' safety. 


And....I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that all was well. 
The storm ended and we were fine. 


You can chant for anything!


Send me your stories!

Why I do Shakubuku! (Introduce others to this practice)

Here I am with my dear, dear friend Julia on Mt Tamalpais 

Almost two years ago Julia and I spent time together after a break of about 7 years or so. We first met many, many years ago when I lived in San Francisco and my boys were little. She says she will never forget the first time she heard me chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. She and her husband Cliff were downstairs...and she was just amazed at the effect the sound had on her. 


But she wasn't ready to practice for almost twenty years! 


When I saw her again my life shakubukued her. (That's a great word we use to describe introducing someone to the practice and the SGI) I was experiencing very difficult circumstances but I was so poised, and my life condition was so high...she felt compelled to learn to chant!
Julia asked me and Ben (my son) to chant with her.

At the time she was so sick. It's hard to even think of her that way. Now she is such a vibrant Buddha! She is introducing others to this practice and healing ALL areas of her life. And we take turns encouraging each other! It is amazing. You shakubuku someone and they shakubuku you right back !


Two posts today! Make sure to scroll down to see the one from this morning! 

Focused Concentration

When SGI members chant, we focus our eyes on the scroll written in Japanese characters called the Gohonzon. 


I will go into the significance of the scroll at a later time. 


Right now I want to address our attitude while we chant. 


I've mentioned that I chant an hour every morning. Yesterday I decided to chant that hour without moving from my seat, without checking my iphone even once, without getting up for any reason, or even writing anything down. I glued my eyes to the beautiful scroll in front of me and let my desires flow. I chanted for my life to be a brilliant, shining example that this practice works, and for me to be able to inspire all of you that you can achieve ANYTHING, any HAPPINESS you desire. I chanted for the core of my life to strengthen immensely. 


And I realized how hard it was to just stay focused without interrupting my flow. It was hard! But I DID it. And I'm going to continue doing it. Everything else can wait. That hour communing with the universe is the most important hour of my day! It is the hour for the microcosm that is my life to connect with the macrocosm that is the universe. 


I am chanting for focus and concentration...and to increase my capacity in all areas of my life. 


You can chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for anything you wish!!! 

See if you can deepen your connection while you are chanting. You are, after all, connecting with the source of your power and happiness!


Have you experienced a level of deepening connection? 
Tell me about it! Write me at silversunsinger@gmail.com

Happy Independence Day!

I am sitting right here on my patio on a beautiful morning in Chicago. Lately the weather has been very hot, even for me! 


This morning, at 6:22am, there is a gentle breeze in the air, no clouds in the sky and I'm feeding the baby ducks and thinking about the significance of this sunflower blooming in my garden. 
The interesting thing is ~ I never planted this lovely flower. As a matter of fact, when it started growing I almost cut it out because I thought it might be a weed. Then a few days ago I looked at it before it opened and realized I had my very own sunflower...my first ever. How could this be? I didn't plant it. Then I laughed as I realized that I toss sunflower seeds to the ducks almost every day, and it had taken root all on its own. 


It's a lovely metaphor for something we call "Inconspicuous Benefits. There are two types of benefits. The first are the ones you chant for and achieve. Boom! There they are. You get the job, you get the car, your health improves, etc. 


The second kind of benefit is called "Inconspicuous" because you can't see it at first, but then, at some time in the future, it manifests just when you need it most. Inconspicuous benefits can manifest in emotional resilience...one day you may wake up and say "Oh how wonderful, I am no longer feeling sad...or mad...or frustrated...or full of anxiety. Or you may be in tough financial straights but keep discovering new sources for money flowing into your life. Or you may avert an accident. Inconspicuous benefits grow and grow over time. 


You know, this Sunflower on my patio makes me really happy! It reassures me that YES, the things I am chanting about that have not yet happened...they are surely on their way. And I should not and will not give up hope.

It is the same in your life. I know its hard sometimes when what you chant for doesn't magically appear. We all want immediate benefits, don't we? On this day of America's Independence, the day after the full moon, and the day of Jamie's Sunflower please continue to have hope. And strive in faith harder than ever. Do gongyo twice a day. You win in the morning and you win in life! 
Muster your faith harder than ever. When you chant please tell your life what you must have. Please realize that whatever you are still suffering from...whether it's a love affair, school plans, health problems, an unhappy family member, depression, looking for a job etc....please realize that your problems are the exact fuel you need to become happy. If you didn't have these problems maybe you wouldn't sit down in front of your Gohonzon so earnestly every day and chant. And remember that every Nam Myoho Renge Kyo you chant goes deeply into your life. Every Nam Myoho Renge Kyo you chant is a CAUSE for your own happiness...whether you see the manifest effect today or tomorrow, please realize that you have made the cause and the effect simultaneously, only you might not see the effect today. Don't give up hope. As Nichiren Daishonin writes in "Letter to Niike"
"For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop on the twelfth, how can you admire the moon over the capitol?" He also says, in the same Gosho: "Strive even harder in faith and never give in to negligence....be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life."
We DEVELOP our faith. We BUILD it. PLease realize that the harder you strive in faith, the easier your life gets. I know this is true with my very life. 
Happy day of independence! 

Day of the Full Moon

June 3rd, 2012


(Check out the comment from yesterday - the person I was addressing in the blog wrote in again - you find comments at the bottom of the blog)


I understand that the full moon is a good time to focus on what YOU DO NOT WANT to experience any more in your life. I spent about six hours last weekend chanting with fresh determination to uproot the pain I am so used to feeling in my relationships with men. 


I know so many of you feel overwhelming longing in your relationships, and some of you have written that you don't feel you can go on living without a particular man. Please consider doing what I did this weekend. I went though a process of recognizing the PAIN AS MY OWN, and determining to tear it our by its roots. 


This can be done for other suffering as well. What are you still suffering from? What karma would you like to tear out by its roots? 


Remember you do not need to understand your pain's origin...you do not need to spend hours figuring out its CAUSE...all you have to do is recognize that it is yours...your karma...then resolve and chant to change it! 


I declared my own INDEPENDENCE DAY in front of the Gohonzon. I Roared like a lion! 


Last night I spent working on the book I'm writing for you. I'm writing the book I searched for when I was looking for this practice...the book I looked for on the shelves every time I went to a bookstore...the book I went to libraries to find. 
It's a How-To-Book about chanting. It explains how to get started, what to expect, and how to fire-up your practice day after day! I hope you'll love it and get incredible value from it, and give it to your friends and acquaintances! 


I am more determined than ever to make this dream I have had for so many years come true! Publishing this book will be such actual proof of this practice! 


Questions: 


Is there anything you'd like to see me write about? 
I plan on sharing experiences (YOURS if you'll send them to me!) questions and answers, and all the important concepts for a successful practice.


What are the major concepts or ideas that have helped you the the most?


What have you heard from someone (me or anyone else) that really touched your heart and helped you generate results? 


Do you have a favorite Gosho quote or quote from Daisaku Ikeda?

A great comment from a reader and some heartfelt tips

Happy Monday! 


Thank you for writing me! I am getting many letters each day, and still would like to hear more! Write me your successes, your questions, your challenges, and what you would like to see in my book. I am working on it every day and look forward to bringing it to you! 


First of all, at the bottom of yesterday's blog there's a very entertaining experience that is really well written. Check it out. 


To the writer of that comment I would like to say "Thank you for sending it in to me!" And I would add a question that you might like to ponder, and that could bring you more results in your practice. 
My question to you is "Are you clear about what you really desire? And have you chanted with this in mind? Do you have a strong determination that "No Matter What" you will achieve this desire?" I am not criticizing you...you are definitely on the right path and you are chanting...I just think with a powerful prayer you will have more powerful results. Don't just chant and wait to see what will happen. Determine what you want to happen in all areas of your life...dream big...and chant to make it so! 


All of you reading this deserve everything! 


You can be victorious in every single aspect of your life. 


Chant with the conviction that you can make it happen


And if you don't know what you want...well, chant to find out what it is. I chanted sincerely to find my mission in life. And now I know exactly what it is. My mission is to reach people who are seeking this practice, to inspire them to chant, and to continue to reach more and more and more people so that they can realize their own happiness. That in why I appreciate you passing along the link chantforhappiness.com to your friends and fellow members. 


Here's a Gosho quote to begin your week.
From The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra:


"Faith alone is what really matters No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to to set fire to wet timber. SPUR YOURSELF TO MUSTER THE POWER OF FAITH. Regard your survival as wonderous. Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other...a coward cannot have any of his prayers answered." 

Why do you keep chanting? Please Write me! And here are more experiences:

I am very interested in hearing all of your stories. 


What was happening in your life before you started chanting? 


What were the first changes that you saw?


What are some of the major benefits you've had over time? 


I would like to hear your stories so that I can share them with the other blog readers and include them in my book. Please take this cool chance to inspire others with your story~ It's a wonderful positive cause to make! 


There are many reasons people continue to chant every day~ twice a day. 


Once you get the feel of the power you are tapping into...well, you just want more. It's human nature. It works! 


I began chanting when a I spent the day with Kate Randolph in 1985. 


We met in late summer when I was in a very depressed frame of mind. I'd been laid off from my job and suddenly didn't know who I was. 
I was scared. 
I was depressed. 
And I was searching for a solution to my troubles. She and I met for the first time and spent a day working together on a project. All day long we talked about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. She told me a story I'll never forget. She was woking on this project in LA with Paul Newman. THE Paul Newman. In 1985 he was still a super star. In his prime he was similar to Brad Pitt. Gorgeous blue eyes...great humanitarian...the whole nine yards. She told me that when they first met she could barely talk to him. She was nervous and couldn't think straight or get the words to form to communicate. She knew she'd have to work with him quite a bit so she chanted for an hour to regain her composure and to treat him like any other human. It worked. From that hour on she was able to speak with him and keep her brain engaged. All my life I'd been looking for a practical practice....one that produced whatever result I was seeking at the time. This sounded like it could be the solution. 


So I called a local friend who'd mentioned Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to me, and went to a meeting and began an earnest practice.
Immediately the fog and depression started to lift.  I woke up one day and realized I could still have a bright future. I found a job and had to wear a suit every day. I began to make some friends. And I made new friends in the wonderful Soka Gakkai organization who taught me how to chant...and helped me to realize that the things I thought were PROBLEMS in my life could actually be viewed as FUEL for the happy transformation of my life. What a revelation. 


And I learned that my desires were good, and that I could become happy just the way I was, without memorizing and fourfold path or changing my eating habits or wearing yellow robes and shaving my head. I didn't have to change anything about myself! All I had to do was chant, and learn about this practice. And go to meetings. And help others learn to chant to the best of my ability. 


I got one job, then another...then another. Each new problem was like a baseball coming at me and I hit it out of the park by chanting through it. I learned to appreciate everything and everybody...and I started turning the depression that I'd suffered from my entire life around. 


I have countless experiences to share...and will share more and more and more...of my own, and hopefully of YOURS!!! 


If you just started chanting GREAT! Go to SGI-USA.org and find your local meeting! Go to Soka Gakkai Interntional and search for your country. Join us! We are all here to help you live your happiest life ever!!!

Chanting A Lot!

I just got back from chanting several hours of daimoku with a group of people. (called a TOZO)


I was roaring like a lion - just like I talk about in this blog. 


There is one part of my life that is still causing me pain and I am determined to root that karma out. 
I am DONE with this particular feeling and pattern of behavior! As I was chanting to change this karma forever I could picture the roots, and see myself yanking them out. I don't have to know where this karma came from...all I have to do is see it for what it is and determine to change it. I don't have to figure it out. No. All I have to do is chant to grab it by its roots and rid it from my life forever. 


I chanted with all of you in mind. I chanted "I MUST solve this problem so that I can have complete and total actual proof and inspire the readers of chantforhappiness.com that anything is possible." No suffering is too much for Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The vibration of chanting is stronger than any possible problem. 


I am fighting right alongside you. 


We can all be victorious in all of your challenges and problems. We can all shine like the sun!!!


Every time each of us breaks through...we are opening a door for so many others to come through. 


You are inspiring me with all of your emails and comments. Keep writing! And ask me anything. My email is chantforhappiness@gmail.com


Keep Going! Don't give up!


I heard an author say recently "Your Mess is your Message!" And I say "Yes! Embrace your "mess", recognize that it is your karma, and and change it!!! Forever!" Remember...this is not the kind of practice where you are supposed to suffer for your karma. NO you have the tool to change it! And stop its pattern in your family FOREVER! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

Powerful Prayers and stories!

POWERFUL PRAYERS! 


Buddhism says one of the causes of suffering is ignorance...ignorance of your own Buddha Nature! Chanting to do your Human Revolution and Praise your life is a great way to pray to reveal and recognize your own Buddha Nature. 


You may remember that my job duties changed in several ways over the past few months. I now work for three locations and faced a lot of challenges at the beginning. I had to introduce myself, and my way of working, to two new campuses. 


Every morning in front of the Gohonzon and in the car ride I would chant to PRAISE MY LIFE! In other words, to recognize my own brilliant Buddha Nature. This is what I call a SuperPrayer! When you chant this way you touch your life in many ways! You bring about changes from deep within. 


Another SuperPrayer I love is the one to EXPAND MY CAPACITY. I sit in front of my Gohonzon and I chant to expand my capacity, and I list all the ways I want to experience expanded capacity:


I chant to expand my capacity for writing blogs that inspire you!
...expand my capacity for compassion...
...for happiness...
for skill in writing my book...
for being a great Mom...
for being a great friend...
for feeling immense joy every day...
I chant to expand my capacity for JOY!
and for pleasure
and for feeling the love in my life
for brain power and memory
for learning and resourcing new ideas
for making new friends
for producing amazing results in my job...
for giving powerful guidance...
for inspiring others to chant...
for overcoming negative emotions quickly!


There are so many ways I chant to Expand my Capacity! 
And so many ways I already HAVE expanded my Capacity!


If you've been reading this blog for awhile you know how frequently I used to sink into depression...and have a feeling of being unloved. That almost never happens anymore. And when I feel that feeling coming on, I chant it away very quickly. I almost never feel depressed or hopeless, and I used to feel depressed very frequently. This practice has SOLVED THAT PROBLEM for me, and IF I CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT! 


At the core of my prayer is always the the deep conviction that I must overcome my problems so that I can show actual proof of this practice and help others to become happy. 


You can have the same prayer. 


WHEN YOU BECOME HAPPY YOU AFFECT EVERYONE AROUND YOU! THEY BECOME HAPPY TOO, AND THEY MIGHT JUST BE INSPIRED BY YOU TO CHANT! 


For me, there is no greater happiness than watching my friends and new members and blog readers become happy through this practice. You can SEE IT AND FEEL IT! 


There's a woman in our district who inspires everyone every time she comes to a meeting because of the bright smile she wears. All of us remember her early days of chanting when she was so sad you could feel her sadness walk right in the door with her! She has totally transformed! You can transform ANYTHING though this practice!


It all starts with you and your determination to be happy and to solve your problems. 


Chant every day...every morning and evening! Read the Gosho!
And regard your troubles as wonderful reasons for you to chant and show actual proof. 


In Nichiren Daishonin's "Letter to Sado" he writes:
"Only by defeating a powerful enemy can one prove his own strength." 
What is your "powerful enemy"? Is it sadness, depression, abuse, hopelessness...whatever it is: 


You can definitely defeat it! 


Do you have others suffering around you? You can help them too! 
As always, thank you for writing me! Thank you for letting me share your challenges (only with your permission). Thank you for helping me inspire all 6,000 blog readers every month. And THANK YOU for sending the link chantforhappiness.com to everyone you know! You never know when YOU are going to profoundly help someone! 

Comments from readers! Experiences and Questions

Thanks for writing! 
From my readers! The first is an experience, the second is a question and the answer I provided.


Hello Jamie 

I wrote you back in September I just wanted to let you know I continued chanting I haven't had time to keep up with the meetings at the SGI near my house because of work but I still chant at home. My health problem was complete resolved I had surgery and everything went great I went on a trip to Thailand and new Zealand for work and had a great time my divorce is final and me and my ex husband have remained friends. And I'm learning to remember the good times I had with my friend that passed away. I suggest chanting to anyone that will listen because I know it helped me through some really hard times. I just want to tell you thank you for creating your blog , reading your words help me to become a stronger and happier woman.  

Question and answer:


Hi Jamie,

I can't tell you many times your blog has given me hope when I've even considered quitting the practice.

I just graduate and have applied to at least 50 jobs and have been rejected from all of them. I wrote down some goals and even included the salary I would want in my dream job but I feel guilty for being greedy. I chant only 10mins a day and despite practicing for almost a year I haven't really had any victories which makes me wonder what am I doing wrong ? I would appreciate guidance from you in terms of what I should chant for in a job or what more can I do to Improve my practice .
My response:  


Hello!

First of all you are not being greedy to want money in your life, and to have a job that brings you joy. You can envision a life that makes you happy down to every detail. It is your birthright. And now, since you are chanting Nam Myoho REnge Kyo it is time for you to Raise your life condition and focus on what you want. The goal of this practice is to be happy. Having the right job is very key to being happy. 

There are many elements to having a successful practice. They are not all easy but they will result in actual results in your life and a happiness you have never known before. The question you must ask yourself is "How much do I want to be happy?" And if you're wondering if you deserve happiness I will tell you YES YOU DO!!!! 

And if you don't believe me, please chant in praise of your life. You have a noble mission. You can help all those who are suffering...once you achieve happiness yourself. This is a crucial time for you. You must determine to win! 

Here are the aspects of a successful practice:

Chanting as much joyful "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" as possible.

make your list of what you want!

Get your Gohonzon as soon as you can! (The Gohonzon is the scroll inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin of the highest life condition possible. We focus on it while chanting...it is the center of our Buddhist altar. You get it through chanting with the SGI and attending meetings and learning Gongyo which is the recitation of the Lotus Sutra we recite every morning and evening)

Going to SGI meetings at the Buddhist center or in people's homes - (I know it can be difficult to get to meetings. If you cannot attend, keep chanting anyway! Chant to be able to attend!)

Making good Buddhist friends

Studying the Gosho of Nichiren Daishonin and writings of Daisaku Ikeda

Chanting as much Daimoku as you can and doing Gongyo twice a day every day. 

Taking action towards your goal....every action you take is a cause!

Chant for the perfect job for kosen rufu. (World peace) 

Chant to show actual proof of this practice through your own life so that you can inspire others to chant.  

Demand that your life deliver this to you!

You can do it. 

Persevere. 

Challenge Yourself. 

I promise you. It is worth it!!!

What can you accomplish through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?

I'm celebrating today! All time readership of this blog just went over 50,000! Thank you so much! Thank you for passing the link chantforhappiness.com 
on to your fellow members, friends, family and anyone you want to introduce to this practice! And thank you for passing it on to people who speak languages other than English since there's a translation button on the upper left corner! And thank you so much for writing me! I love knowing what is on your mind and I adore hearing your successes! I am so grateful to you!


What can you accomplish through chanting? Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is bigger than your biggest problem. I keep thinking about the experience that was in a recent world tribune. A girl with a very heavy heart and lots of troubles went to her first SGI meeting. A member who had been chanting for many years had her hold up her baby finger, and she told her "All your troubles will be as tiny as your baby finger compared to the power of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo." And that's the truth! 


What are some examples of the things I have personally seen change for people? 


I'll start with my own benefits for you.

There are three categories of "treasures" in Buddhism - the most important is the treasure of the heart:
Here are some Benefits of developing the treasure of the heart:


I have cured in my own life:


Hopelessness
Depression
Anxiety
Sadness
Fear! 
Loneliness - I went from having very few friends to having many friends, and to being happier on my own too. 
I have resolved every conflict in the workplace and in my personal life very quickly
I have no more need to be eating all the time
I have alleviated the endless hunger for everything, that constant longing for what I cannot have for whatever reason. 
I've lost 50 pounds and feel younger and stronger than ever.
I am working on publishing a book that will help many people learn to chant. This, along with the blog you are reading now is my greatest passion....helping people alleviate their suffering. 
I have peace of mind! Aaaahhh!


Other treasures of the heart:


One of my members stopped his pattern of constant worrying and never worries anymore.
One member overcame her deep dark depression, and all of the members in my district have greatly alleviated their anxiety.
They face their problems head-on and together we break through them! 


I've seen many members get the jobs of their dreams...overcome fear of public speaking...overcome many fears. 


The list goes on and on.....


There are also treasures of the storehouse...and things that people want to have and accomplish.


I remember chanting for my first car. I chanted for a reliable car for Kosen Rufu (world peace) so that I could drive people to meetings in San Francisco. 
I chanted for a beautiful house to hold Buddhist meetings in...one that would inspire people that anything was possible!
 I'll never forget the looks on the movers faces when they arrived at my beautiful kosen rufu home on the hill with the gorgeous view! It was such a contrast from my tiny little apartment on lower Nob Hill (Upper Tenderloin for those in the know) in San Francisco! 
And I've chanted for financial benefits. We need money to live and to give us opportunities. Without money I could not have brought my Buddha boys to California this spring! It is not some kind of "sin" to chant for money. Money is necessary. 


Oh there are soooo many things... feeling...experiences that you can chant for. And the biggest benefit of all is that as you are chanting for these things you are developing a stronger sense of self...a stronger inner core...a strength so powerful that NO PROBLEM CAN DEFEAT YOU. EVER. That is truly the best benefit. 
And remember that when you chant you are not asking anyone for anything...you are drawing power from your own precious life! Go YOU!


I wish I had more time but I have to run out the door to my job! 
Please keep writing me. Let me know what you'd like to hear about! Let me know your successes! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo !!!!

Exciting Meeting in Chicago tonight! And Job Search TIPS!

Meeting Tonight

at the Chicago Buddhist Center ~ especially for newcomers

Open to anyone ~ sponsored by the LGBT!

Chicago Buddhist Center

1455 S. Wabash - FREE PARKING! 

6:30-8:30 call 312-913-1211

Please come!  All Welcome!

(If you can't come tonight you can call the center and they will put you in touch with the meetings that are held in your area - there are meetings all over!)

I hope yesterday's blog about what makes this practice so radically different from any other form of Buddhism or any other practice was helpful to you. Do you have any questions for me? Are there members who have any feedback for me? Would you like me to include anything else? Please email questions/comments and EXPERIENCES of any length to me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com. I'm looking for experiences to share on this blog and in my upcoming book. 

What can I share with you today? 

I want to talk about two things: 

The basic framework of an SGI Meeting and 

tips on chanting to find a job

About SGI Meetings: I was not in on the planning of tonight's meeting because I have a meeting at my home in the Western Suburbs every single Wednesday. What I can tell you is tonight's meeting at the Buddhist Center will be filled with people who have experienced benefit after benefit from chanting, and are happy to share how they have broken through their problems. The meeting will start with chanting, and have basic explanations of the practice and time for questions. There's also a bookstore at the Chicago Buddhist Center with tons of fascinating books on this practice.  Our meetings are very warm, and you won't feel left out or singled out. You can come alone and not feel awkward. Every meeting has tons and tons of Daimoku (the chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) behind it. What do I mean when I say that? Each meeting has been carefully prepared by a group of people who are chanting for the participants...chanting for YOU! Tonight's meeting at the buddhist Center has had a team of people preparing it and chanting for everyone involved. If you go to the meeting you will make many new friends!

For the meetings held at my house every week, I always chant that every single person who comes to a meeting will NEVER BE THE SAME after that meeting. I chant that each person hears something that inspires them to the core, and that they go and chant with renewed energy and enthusiasm and take a new step forward in their lives. The group that meets at my house is very close, and always excited about new people joining us. Nothing makes us happier than seeing someone's life light up with happiness with the power of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! And I am always chanting that MY LIFE has to be victorious in every way so that I can show actual proof to other members, and to my friends who read this blog! I demand my life to produce the results I'm seeking, and this is a very powerful prayer. 

JOB FINDING TIPS:

Many of you are writing me and asking "How do I get a job...I've been looking and I haven't been able to find anything." And I say chant with this kind of prayer. Chant "I MUST find a job so I can show actual proof of this practice and inspire others with my life. I demand the result and the victory now! I must find a job for kosen rufu...a job where I will be able to create value in my life and spread it to others!" 

And write down what you would like...go ahead and be specific. I found exactly what I wanted and switched careers in the middle of a recession. The power of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is stronger than any recession. Tuen off the TV and stop listening to the bad news for awhile! DOn;t let anything discourage you!

You may ask: Who are you chanting "to" ? The answer is Your own power, your own life that you generate and tap into by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! It is your birthright to be happy and victorious! Chant for the wisdom to take the right actions to find a job and take massive action every day. When I was finding the job I have currently I wrote a list of everything I wanted, and I went on many job interviews that didn't match my criteria because I didn't even know where to look to find the job I'd written about. Even though I didn't want those jobs, I knew that taking the action to interview for them was making a positive cause for me to find the right job. And boom! I got an email from a networking friend (who I had introduced to chanting of course!) about the job I have now, and I knew the minute I got the email that this was my job. I had to handle the next steps very carefully. I prepared well for the interview, and I even had to prepare a powerpoint presentation for the management team. I wrote my hand-written thank you notes. I took the correct actions. I kept chanting and I got the job! 

Tell your life what you want in your chanting. Roar like the lion you are! Write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com to share your experience, give me feedback or ask questions! 

What Makes this practice so special? How to Chant

Hello! This blog can be translated using the button at the top left) 

This is a posting for newcomers and a refresher for anyone.

(Current members are welcome to send the link to this blog chantforhappiness.com to someone you're introducing or encouraging) 

There's a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday the 27th at the Chicago Buddhist Center sponsored by the LGBT group and all are welcome - free parking! 1455 S. Wabash 6:30-8:30

What are some of the key things to know about chanting?

• HAPPINESS is the goal of this practice. You get to KEEP and USE your desires! Most forms of Buddhism teach that the cause of suffering is attachment to desires, and if you eradicate attachment to desires you can become happy. Not so with Practical Buddhism. Instead, your desires ARE enlightenment. The more desires you have, the better. Your desires lead you to chant. Chanting changes your karma and brings about true and lasting happiness - based both on achieving those desires, and based on the inner changes (human revolution) that result from chanting. Over time your desires will evolve and if you don’t know what your desires are, you can chant to uncover them.

• The words you chant are Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Translated as:  “I devote myself (or fuse my life)to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration.”  It is the same as chanting the name of the law of cause and effect itself...or the name of the rhythm of life. I like to picture an electrical plug attaching to the universe.  With this powerful vibration you are able to reach deep into the core of your own life, where you are one with everything, and bring forth all you desire. 

• There are no rules to follow

• No dietary restrictions
• No lifestyle rules ~ all are welcome
• No dues
• No dress code

• You don’t have to give up anything you’re already doing. You don’t have to convert to Buddhism to chant. If you like meditating, great! Keep meditating. If you like going to church keep going to church. Think of it as meditation...only with tangible results and goals! Your goals! Your results!

• You don’t have to believe that chanting works. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo generates the vibration of the law of cause and effect...the rhythm of life itself.  It is a law of life. It doesn’t have a personality. It is not a god. It does not care if you believe in it! One of my mentors in faith, Amos Snell began chanting to prove to his wife that she was wasting her time chanting. He chanted to PROVE IT DIDN’T work. More than forty years later he is still chanting and introducing people. Eventually you will believe that chanting works, because you will see so many results in your life, but you have to experience it for yourself!

• There is no clergy. The SGI (Soka Gakkai International) is an organization of lay people. We work together for the sake of each person’s happiness. 

• There is no guilt. There is only the law of cause and effect.  

• You don’t quiet the mind while chanting. No! You engage it. You command the results you want for your life. You focus your prayers like a laser on what you desire.

• You can turn EVERY problem into a benefit. When you chant consistently you realize that your challenges and problems actually fuel your benefits. You welcome new challenges, chant to turn poison into medicine and watch as new benefits flow into your life. 

• The most important benefits are what happens inside your life. No, you will not cease to have problems, but you will greet them with appreciation and dispense with them with quickly. Your inner core will strengthen. You can chant for a great job and fulfilling relationships, love and health and a sense of purpose. You tap into the wisdom to know that you are on the right path...no matter what comes into your life, you can use it as a springboard to become even happier...no matter how dire the circumstances. 

• This practice is FUN! It’s filled with happy people becoming even happier. It’s not somber! It’s a practice for the age we live in now! many people are seeking real, concrete solutions to their problems. Chanting works

 How to Chant

 The words are pronounced as follows: 

Nahm, rhymes with Mom, 

meeyohoh, with three long vowels, 

rain gay, 

key oh. 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 

Nahm Meeyohoh Rain Gay Key Oh

Hold your hands with the palms facing in and touching each other in front of your heart. Sit with your back as straight as possible and say the words over and over and over again. 

 Focus on saying the words. Breathe whenever you have to~ for as long as you like. See if you can chant for a few minutes, then a few minutes more. Chant for as long as you can!  

The rhythm should sound like a train moving, or horses running. There should be some energy to it. You can chant as fast or as slow as you wish. Speed of chanting is up to you. 

If you want to hear how it sounds you can go to the top left corner of the blog chantforhappiness.com and chant with me. I begin slowly and speed up with more energy. 

When you’re finished chanting I suggest writing in your journal.

Start by writing an assessment of your life right now. What’s going well, what you’d like to improve on. Then write how you felt before chanting and after chanting. In your journal set a goal for how much you want to chant every day.  When I started, I could only chant five minutes a day in the morning and five minutes in the evening. I had a timer next to me and I’m sure there were times I stopped before I’d even reached five minutes! You will build up momentum! Commit to chant twice a day every day. Keep your goals in mind and you’ll remember your reasons for chanting! 

These words and this vibration go deep into the heart of your life itself. They summon forth your highest wisdom, vitality and sense of purpose. They also uproot the karma that is making you suffer, and give you the opportunity to change this karma forever. You will still have challenges and problems in life when you chant...but eventually you will see them as the opportunities they are. Problems are the FUEL you need to catapult your life into a life of happiness and joy. You have begun a journey to uncover the true happiness that exists in your shining life. Congratulations!

Go to the Soka Gakkai website of whatever country you live in. SGI-USA.org is America's site. 

The SGI site will help you to connect with people who will be happy to help you learn to chant, overcome your problems, and reveal your brilliant, wonderful self!  Fellow Soka Gakka members love to help each other. 

and go to IKEDAQUOTES.org to read Daisaku Ikeda's words. He is lighting the way for us all...and for YOU!

Welcome! Pictures from The Pride Parade!

Hello! For those of you viewing for the first time please read this post and keep scrolling down! Many of the recent posts are perfect fundamentals for you! 

"Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the Roar of a Lion ~ 

What "sickness" (or sadness or problem) can therefore be an obstacle"   

Aaron and I marched with the SGI members 

in the Chicago Pride Parade today! 

Thousands and thousands celebrated today...
gay, straight, LGBT, everyone celebrated together!

We are so proud to belong to an peaceful organization 

that doesn't discriminate against anyone!  

Today countless SGI members marched in Pride Parades across America. These parades celebrate the right to love! They celebrate peoples' right to be who they are. They are a pure celebration of happy energy! I handed out over a 1000 cards today! If you are reading this blog for the first time welcome!  I will do everything I can to help you learn to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo so that you can be happier than you ever dreamed possible! 

Aaron and his new friend DJ.

Me and my new friend Katherine! 

Parade participants! I told you I'd post this! Thanks for letting me take your picture!

Marching in the parade!

If you are coming to this site for the first time Welcome! Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo can open up a whole new world for you. You can raise your life condition into a whole new vibration of peace and happiness. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo means "I fuse my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration" It is the name of the rhythm of life itself. When you chant these words and focus on your desires, a powerful force within your own life becomes activated towards your own happiness! 
There is a meeting on Wednesday the 27th of June at the Chicago Buddhist Center, 1455 S. Wabash Ave. from 6:30-8:30 Free Parking! All are welcome! 
Feel free to scroll down and page through this blog to learn more about the practice. Many, many people read this blog for encouragement.  
Why chant? It activates the energy to bring your life condition up, make the changes you need to make, and start attracting all you desire! It's fun and it works!
If you can't make the meeting on Wednesday you can call the Buddhist Center at 312-913-1211 to find out where the meeting is closest to you in the Chicago area. If you're not from Chicago go to SGI-USA.org to find out the center nearest you!!! If you live near Oak Brook Illinois you can come to my meetings every Wednesday. Send me an email!


Here's to your happiness! I post something encouraging and interesting about this practice almost every day! You can also  read previous posts to find out more~!  

Pride Day in Chicago today!

The Soka Gakkai is marching in the Pride Parade Today!


As a straight woman and a lover of love, and a lover of people's freedom to love I am proud to be marching. 


I'll take pictures and share them after the parade!


If you are a first time reader please take a look at previous postings! 


To my readers!


Please continue bringing forth your true and noble desires! You deserve the best and the brightest and the happiest of lives! Thank you for writing me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me know when I have touched you! Thank you for sharing your successes! I am always chanting for you!