Repost of an incredible Experience!

Julia Landis...Musician...Healer....Yoga Master...
and now....Nichiren Buddhist!!!
What follows is Julia's experience, written by her. I'll throw in a few annotations as well. Just let me say to begin, that Julia was a special radiant and wonderful friend from the moment we met many years ago. Her Yoga classes transported me. No other teacher compares. Since she is already so incredibly spiritual, once she decided to embrace this practice she "GOT" it in a way that is always teaching me...and we have been growing and evolving and creating our wonderful lives ever since! I learn so much from her!

Kelly's Island Ohio...where this story takes place..

Dear readers (from Julia),

some of you may have read Jamie's post about me last summer. After 13 years of contemplating chanting NMHRK I finally took the big plunge last fall after I realized I had nothing left to lose. After visiting with Jamie on Kelley's Island in Ohio and seeing the transformation of her relationship with her husband and experiencing their warm friendship in the midst of their impending separation I was truly amazed. There was simply an ease and happiness I could feel in being with them, which was a relief to me for many reasons, but most acutely, because I was really suffering: I was experiencing severe challenges to my health, far worse than anything I could have imagined. I had MRSA type wounds on my foot that refused to heal. It was a nightmare in the humid midwestern summer to try and enjoy being a tourist while the band-aids and ointment repeatedly slid off and I was left in searing pain and fear of further infection. I also had developed chronic giardiasis and related intestinal syndromes. Let's say I was not a "happy camper." Please scroll down...

I remember not talking with Julia much about chanting at the beginning of the visit. I let my life speak for me. Julia could see the physical transformation I'd had since I last saw her ...with the loss of 70 pounds and the new outlook on life...I look much younger. Outside at the lake I remember telling her something about my relationship with Paul, and she said "I want to try it."

I asked Jamie if she would chant with me one afternoon while we were alone at a picnic area overlooking Lake Eerie. I was so weak I asked if I could chant lying down on the picnic table. Jamie gently recommended that I at least try sitting up, to feel the energy in my body... 

Although my husband was opposed to the practice--and had been for over a decade-- I was determined this time not to let anything stand in my way. I'll never forget the first time I chanted with Jamie for more than a few minutes, staring out at the calm surface of Lake Eerie-- my first Gohonzon!--from beneath a picnic shelter accompanied by the chatter of newly hatched swallows nesting above us. I was blown away, so to speak, when Jamie's son Ben, a top athelete, stood behind us and joined us in chanting. I got the goose bumps as I felt the generations of Buddhas voices like a soft wind under my broken wings, lifting me towards the light.

 Here are the birds Julia's talking about

After I returned home, many obstacles arose to my practicing, but I let nothing stop me. At first I only chanted a couple of minutes a day and got out of breath and hoarse. (Julia was incredibly weak and sick when she started chanting - her transformation has been amazing) I created an altar and began to thirst for the experience of chanting. Jamie expressed so much support, making herself available in ways no other friend or helper would ever have been able to... I now realize that she was excited for me and knew about the benefits that lay in store for me. I read the copy of "On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime" she had given me as a gift and began to hear Daisaku Ikeda's loving and powerful words reverberating in me when I chanted. I believe at this point I began to connect with the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of our age who first chanted Nam Myoho Renge kyo and unlocked the mysteries of the Lotus sutra for all of us living in this age. Nichiren wrote... "With this teaching  all the teachings advocated by [earlier Buddhist teachers] will be like stars after sunrise..." I began to feel joy in my chanting and worked my way up to chanting an hour a day. At this point I discovered (through amazing synchronicities involving my husband and public radio) the herbs I needed to treat the MRSA. It took months and several approaches, but by now you've guessed it: the wounds have closed and are healing

nicely. 

With each passing week the benefits mounted. A doctor who'd been treating me in a half hearted always busy way began to take a real interest in me and began really helping me. Through his increased vigillance I was able to get an MRI which has led me, again through synchronicities to the most wonderful physical therpist I could have ever imagined. I am getting full physical healing including pilates and cranio-sacral therapy now and... it's all covered by my insurance. I also have begun receiving lucid dreams guiding me further along in my healing and I began my own blog about my experience. As Jamie has put it, I've gone from an experience of dying to an experience of really LIVING. Of feeling alive and cherishing each moment of my life, no matter what it brings.

It has been so exciting to share each benefit and each new challenge with Jamie, knowing that she fully understands both the nature of suffering and the emergence of strength and capacity that come with this practice and can stand beside me in either kind of state. With her encouragement, I was able to overcome many obstacles and learn to chant Gongyo; this year on New Year's day I received my Gohonzon, the mandala Nichiren Daishonin personally inscribed for his disciples (us!) some seven hundered years ago.

Having practiced many forms of meditation and yoga over the past twenty years, I was amazed to experience the blessing of chanting NMHRK with my eyes open and fixed on the character which means "MYO" on the Gohonzon. Minutes slip away in states of happiness, peace, transcendance that are worthy of MYO's immeasurable meanings chiefly characterized by the simple definitions, "to open" to "rejuvenate" and "fully endow."

I made a determination, on the eve of receiving my Gohonzon that each time I would look upon it I would be filled with reverence for it and for my life, of which it is a mirror. And I am. I can never adequately thank Jamie for sticking with me for the 12 or so years it took me to "open" up my life to my full potential and cultivate the capacity and the bravery to live fully and embrace my innate Buddhahood. I am learning the exquisite feeling of deep worthiness, worthiness of love, healing and real joy. I am beginning to praise my life.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Julia has changed in so many ways since she began chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Her voice...her health...her bright eyes...and most of all...Julia knows...beyond a shadow of a doubt...that she can accomplish every happiness she desires. She knows with a knowing that is beyond intellectual, that the ONLY way to accomplish her desires is to wholeheartedly EMBRACE them!  She knows YOU MUST chant for what your heart desires...you Can't tamp it down. And you will either get what you are chanting for...or something better...or your desires will change and so will your suffering. She is a living Buddha...inspiring people with her incredible life! We've only just begun! So much more to create...chant for...embrace...appreciate!!! She knows she has found the key to every happiness...and what could be better than that!!!! I love you Julia! I love you readers! May each of you be soooo inspired by beautiful Julia!!!!

You can Chant for Anything! Here's a Benefit!

Experience from a reader: 

"I just wanted to let you know I did put Gohonzon in my house on 18 july and I continue to chant twice a day on your blog so basically I feel I'm chanting with you every day. My son and my husband chant with me at night before we sleep. I see little change in my son he is calmer than before and will keep you posted always about my life. I read all your blogs I think you write beautifully and forward it to the other people too. My son had made a drastic mistake in summer he forgot the date of project for his on line class and did not submit the project and the project was due on 3 august and he mistook it for 23. He realized that after 5 days when teacher put missed project on line. The teacher had said clearly he would give some marks if it's delayed for 4 days but after that it will be a 0 and realized after 5 days so was crying that his grade will be really bad even if he got 95 or 100 in the three left quizzes. I  went and started chanting  in front of my gohnzon and said please give him some marks and not a 0 and teacher replied back saying he could maximum get 40 if he still did project then he did the project same day and sent it to him and got A's in the rest of 3 quizzes . He got 40 in the project and ended up with a B+ which is better than a C or a B- which he may have ended up for his carelessness and learnt a big lesson of his life since he has two more on line classes this semester. I just wanted to share this small experience with you.

I really want my kids to turn up like your kids you are my inspiration.

Thanks,"

How wonderful! Your whole family is chanting!!! And what a great benefit. You really turned that situation around! You will all be seeing so many benefits in your lives by chanting together. You are in rhythm! 

What if you aren't sure what you want?

That's easy! 

Chant to know what you really want! 

Chant to discover what would make you happy. 

For years I chanted to understand, know and fulfill my mission in life. 

It worked!

Make Your Mighty Determinations!

Today!

Why not? 

It's your life!

What is a determination? 

It's a goal, and it's a call of your spirit. It's a paragraph that conveys what you really want. 

When Kathy was chanting for her job she had a deep determination. She determined that she was going to find her retirement job...the job she'd stay in until she retired. She determined it would have all the bells and whistles, great benefits, the hours she wanted, the income she wanted...vacation etc. She determined it would be a "home" for her, full of warm people who appreciate her. She determined that it would be a job that showed actual proof of the Gohonzon and that it would inspire others to chant to achieve their goals. She also determined that while she was unemployed she and her family would not suffer in any way. 

All of these determinations were realized! 


She had her first day at her new job on Monday. It was amazing. She immediately felt welcomed. SHe got there early with the other early people, and discovered they have one of those cool gourmet one-cup-at-a-time coffee makers. At her last job they didn't have any coffee at all, and she had to bring a carafe from home. I know that's the tip of the iceberg for her. I know that each day she will reveal another benefit of this job. Last night she was invited out to a celebratory dinner with her co-workers. On her first day her boss called her in and said that her position had been open for a long, long time...and they had chosen her very carefully!!

Isn't that awesome?

What is YOUR determination? 

Would you like to share it with us? 

Transforming Difficult Relationships

What do you do when you have a difficult relationship? Maybe there's a family member you don't get along with, maybe it is someone at work. What is the best course of action to take...well, if you are practicing Practical Buddhism the answer is an easy one. 

Chant for their happiness. 

Okay, I know, it's not really easy...but think of it as strengthening that spiritual muscle of compassion and making an excellent, wonderful, life changing and karma changing cause. Sit and think of that person with a huge smile on their face...a huge smile. And chant for their happiness, whether it is a sincere prayer or not. And do you know what will happen. Sooner or later it will turn into a sincere prayer. And you will have changed. And so will the other person!
Remember, you can't always feel it or see it, but all of life is interconnected. Chanting for someone else's happiness is as good as chanting for your own. Maybe even better!

Today I want to remind you that when you want to change a difficult relationship into a great one, determinations and chanting are important, but please remember that your everyday actions make a huge difference. 

If people come to you saying bad things about the person you are focusing on - you must not join the party of people speaking ill of that person! Your everyday actions, thoughts and words are ALL CAUSES that you are making. You want to focus on making good causes at all times. 

If you want to change a troubling relationship into a fabulous one, watch your actions, and refuse to join the folks who are badmouthing the person whose happiness you are chanting for so deeply. 

All of this is up to you. 

Your happiness rests on you doing your own human revolution. You may think that your chanting for the difficult person is about THEM. But NO! It is about your human revolution. It is about YOU creating the flow of energy that will attract only amazingly great things into your life! It is about you changing from the inside so that you can build a solid sense of self that will be strong and happy NO MATTER WHAT your circumstances!!! It is about YOU, and the other person...and YOU are leading the way for the happiness of all humanity. YOU are opening the door to happiness in your life, in the life of the "difficult" person, and in the happiness of us all because, as you know so well...we are all interconnected!!!

Encouragement for you!

The real thrill about being a Practical Buddhist and chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo every day is this:

Even when I don't get what I want...I get what I want. When I keep chanting, and keep focused...what I want is always on its way. The challenge is to not let my own doubt and negativity overshadow things.

Right now I am chanting with appreciation for my life, for being able to chant and for knowing, that NO MATTER WHAT I will be victorious is all areas of my life. I base my life on reading Daisaku Ikeda's writings, encouraging my fellow members and the readers of my blog. My entire life is tied to helping others be happy, and living as an example that NO MATTER WHAT, I will win in all aspects of my life.

Has everything "finished" in my life? No! And it never will! Am I enjoying the process along the way? YES! When you base your life on the mystic law it is possible to even enjoy your own sadness...because you see it for what it is...fuel for the fire of your Daimoku (chanting).

And because you can always turn poison into medicine...NOTHING will ever stop you.

I had a friend in Japan who always used to say "I love it when I get BIG PROBLEMS! Because I know that a BIG BENEFIT is on its way!"

He is so right! As long as you keep chanting, keep reading President Ikeda's guidance, and keep encouraging people...you can't lose.

And if you are at the beginning stage of chanting...just face the Gohonzon and pray about what you want. You deserve to be happy. Don't ever listen to the people who tell you that you don't deserve to be happy....you know you deserve happiness and you have ALWAYS known this. Tap into your life force of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Be fearless. Make your glorious life overflow with benefits!

The (im) Possible Dream

Yesterday I saw Man of La Mancha, one of my favorite musicals.  This song "The Impossible Dream" perfectly describes the quest we are all on. Don Quixote was alone. 
We have each other and our mentor Daisaku Ikeda. How wonderful!
I tried to copy a link from Youtube onto this post. Please go to Youtube and type in "The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha" Enjoy!

The Impossible Dream

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ... 

This is my quest, to follow that star ... 
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... 
To fight for the right, without question or pause ... 
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... 

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest, 
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm, 
when I'm laid to my rest ... 
And the world will be better for this: 
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, 
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, 
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This captures our chanting quest for bettering our lives...for kosen rufu...for our willingness to "march into hell for a heavenly cause" as we confront our own inner darkness, overcome it and march on for the sake of our lives, for the sake of our loved ones, for the sake of the world. 

We all have such noble missions! I salute you on your quest this Monday Morning!!!

You Knew I had to Show you!

Aaron in his white coat. 

The ceremony today was meaningful and moving. After every first-year medical student got their white coats they all stood, along with every doctor in the house and recite the Hippocratic Oath. 

It was beautiful...and Aaron really looks like a doctor, doesn't he?! 

Paging Dr. Silver, Paging Dr. Silver!

Filled With Gratitude!

Loyola Stritch School of Medicine Rocks! 

It's Family Weekend! 

Here we are with our new friends at the reception last night. You know how life just seems to come together sometimes, right? We discovered an amazing coincidence last night. Aaron (far right), just started his first year of Medical school really close to me in Maywood. And on the far left is his new friend Christina, with her Mom, Kathy Ratto. Christina and her family live in Arcadia California in the LA area. 

We were having a spirited conversation last night about all things LA and San Francisco and the Medical Profession (Kathy and her husband are both doctors) and we suddenly realized that Christina lives in my same lovely apartment community and we're all going to the White Coat Ceremony at Loyola in the morning, followed by the party at Versailles (my apartment community) in the afternoon! 

I'm looking forward to getting to know them both better, and it will be great for Christina to know she has a new "Mom"and friend just doors away! Don't you just love making new friends? I do! Lately I am making new friends all the time...new friends I plan to have in my life for a long, long time! 

Seriously, this medical school is amazing. It is a school with heart. It is a Jesuit university and the people I have met are filled with love for our students. That is their constant message to us...that they will love our sons and daughters and help them in any way possible. And I believe them. I see it and I feel it. 

I am so grateful to be on this journey with Aaron!

There is so much to appreciate isn't there? My goal every single day is to live life to the fullest and touch as many lives as I positively can. Every morning I start the day with a solid hour of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...connecting with the universe of power inside me and every other person anywhere! 

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I am constantly chanting to expand my capacity. While I am chanting I am telling my life to expand my capacity for love, expand my capacity for fun, expand my capacity to help people, expand my capacity to reach people, expand my capacity to spread love, light, and hope to all who are suffering? My prayers are being answered! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! 

And thank you all for helping! Every time you respond to one of my posts and every time you forward a post by email or share it on facebook, YOU make a positive cause for your own happiness too! Together we make such a difference in the world! Thank you!!!

This has been an amazing week.  I've had the opportunity to be at the bedside of a dear friend who is new to chanting. His name is Kevin Haddle and he's a loving, wonderful soul. This week he had to have surgery for a bowel obstruction. So painful. Now he is recovering from the surgery, but still in pain. Please chant for Kevin! 

As you know we had six guests at the meeting on Wednesday night and more and more people keep learning about this practice, trying it and changing their lives for the better! 
Expanding my capacity - expanding ALL of our capacity  - that's what it's all about! 

Have a great Saturday!!!

Everything is a Benefit!

That's Right! 

Everything is a benefit when you're in rhythm, chanting twice a day with all your heart, introducing others to the practice, studying President Ikeda's writings and the Gosho and going to SGI meetings! 

One of the members in my district has introduced three people to the practice in the last few months. A few days ago her nanny quit and of course, it was very upsetting. It reminded me of the time when I caught my nanny stealing from us and we had to fire her. It was awful! Emotionally wrenching etc. Then the most beautiful, wonderful woman came into our lives to nurture our children. Danielle has been like family ever since then! She taught me so much about compassionate child rearing. I learned so much from this delightful earth-mother who makes her own play-doh and knows exactly how to help children make great art! She teaches children to "use your words" and shows them incredible respect...even when they are having an emotional moment...or two! And she called me on my birthday two years ago and said "Jamie, I want to start chanting and I want to hold Buddhist meetings in Cloverdale California!" She is doing just that! And a few weeks ago her MOTHER received her Gohonzon and is chanting too! 

Losing my nanny was upsetting, but I knew something better was coming! At the time I was a district leader, teaching people to chant, following President Ikeda's guidance, hosting meetings in my house...the whole nine yards (as we say in America). 

It's never too late to get into the rhythm of faith! It's never too late to go to your first SGI meeting, or go back to the center. Last night we had six visitors and a surprise guest after the meeting. Why? Because we are all glowing with faith and happiness. We are all unstoppable and so are you!!! 

And remember - it might not look like a benefit - but when you are chanting and making good causes...it will turn into a benefit  --- if you don't give up!!!

For the Broken Hearted - and for any other problem...There is HOPE!

So many of you write me in a world of pain over love. And, believe me, if anyone can understand what you are going through it is me. 

I am here to write you words of hope!

I am telling you RIGHT NOW that whatever you are suffering from...a lost love, heartache, a bad marriage, an abusive relationship, an unrequited love, the death of someone you loved...or any other pain...you can take all that pain and turn it into happiness. I KNOW! 

The key to happiness is realizing that whatever you are going through...WHATEVER you are going through can be used as fuel for growth and happiness when you chant about it in front of the Gohonzon (the scroll within our altar - a depiction of the highest life condition that exists within your own life and in the life of the universe) 

The key is this: the suffering already existed in your life. This person whom you think is causing you pain, is actually working as a karmic sponge to draw that pain out of your life forever. One day you may actually be grateful to them! 

The important thing to do is take responsibility for your own pain. Not blame! Responsibility. Realize that the pain you feel is your karma. Not blame. Not shame. Just your karma. You can change that karma right here, right now using this incredible practice. You don't have to figure out why the pain or karma is there. All you have to do is determine that you are done with that pain forever. And you have to redetermine this over and over in front of the Gohonzon until you change it. That is the real power of the practice. We chant every day - twice a day. I chant for a solid hour every single morning. President Ikeda says "The important thing is to KEEP CHANTING until your prayer is answered." Over and over again! Keep chanting. Keep refreshing your determination. Do not give up!

I had  turning point 2 months ago. I chanted for 4 1/2 hours at a tozo. (Long chanting session). As I was chanting I was telling my life "I am DONE with suffering! I am pulling this karma of unhappiness out of my life by the roots! I will no longer tolerate this unhappiness! I must change this karma so that I can give others hope that they can change their lives also. I must be happy!" As I was chanting I was picturing roots being ripped out of my body. I was literally feeling the change in my body and in my life. I chanted to BE THE BUDDHA OF ABSOLUTE HAPPINESS! 

Prayer leads to action. After this tozo I was able to take some actions that brought me to the amazing freedom and happiness I feel today. 

I have also been focusing on introducing others to this practice. If is so easy. When I am glowing from within people naturally are drawn to me to find out about it. When you are happy people want to know why! 

We just finished another amazing meeting of inspiring Buddhist SGI friends here at my house. There were 6 guests! People leave through the patio door in the summer. They are laughing and in high spirits after chanting together and sharing our successes and challenges and teaching the guests what we are doing. After everyone left I heard a voice from the other side of the bushes from my patio. "Excuse me, can you tell me do you teach something here." And it was someone I've never met, here to find out about chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! I answered her "I sure do teach something! I teach people how to be happy!" and I invited her in and told her she could access the power of the entire universe through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and we chanted together. 

She is coming over again to chant. She is writing her list of what she wants in her life and she'll be chanting twice a day every day to make it happen. And she will change her life dramatically!

How wonderful is that! 

Become happy so you can fulfill your mission to help others be happy! 

You can do it! 

You are Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Hello! Yes, that's me. Good morning!

I've been thinking of the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime. "It's one of my favorites. It was the first Gosho I ever read, one I memorized during a difficult period years ago, and the one I read to my babies when they were in the womb.

"If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured through eternity and attain supreme enlightenment in this lifetime, you must first awaken to the mystic truth which has always been within your life. This truth is Myoho Renge Kyo. Chanting Myoho Renge Kyo will enable you to grasp that mystic truth within."

Remember, YOU ARE THE MYSTIC TRUTH ALREADY! There is nothing you need to do to become the mystic truth except REALIZE IT! Chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with the deep conviction that you are Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! Tap into that vital essence that exists within your life! There are times I've chanted "I'm Myoho Renge Kyo!"briefly,  just to remind myself. Feel the energy of the mystic law coursing through your body and chant as hard and as long as you can! Tap into the source of your life and TELL IT what you want! 

The Clouds were beautiful today!

So three dimensional...

Just a bit of my view from my drive today. 

I determined to have a happy, exciting day today, and it was great! I woke up at 4am and will turn in soon so I can wake up tomorrow and write something that will inspire you to keep chanting...keep dreaming...keep taking action to move your life forward...ever forward...into your happiest life ever! 

Words of Encouragement from Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda's writings in "My Dear Friends in America, Collected U.S. Addresses 1990-96" is a book full of essays that appeared in the World Tribune during those years. Those were interesting times for the Doka Gakkai in America. After the excommunication of the SGI by the priesthood the SGI had the wonderful opportunity to reexamine the ground of beliefs and practices that made it so unique...and PROUD to be excommunicated and free. These quotes are from the essay "Pioneer the Ultimate Frontier of Life and Death" pages 156-7. 
     
"In the 'Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings" Nichiren Daishonin states: "Now Nichiren and his followers who chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo dispel the darkness of birth and death and cause the fire of nirvana's wisdom to burn before their eyes....We burn the firewood of earthly desires and behold the fire of enlightened wisdom before our eyes" this passage explains the principle of "the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana" and "earthly desires are enlightenment."
..."It is not true that because we practice faith in the mystic law our lives will be free of worries. And of course, it is certain that we will eventually die. Nevertheless, through our mind of faith, we can illuminate our lives with the brilliant light of wisdom and the flame of happiness shining forth from the depths of our lives. 
"For this reason, no matter what happens, as long as you embrace faith you will never be deadlocked; you have nothing to fear.  Turning everything into a source of energy to advance still further, you can continue vigorously climbing the hill of growth and hope in life. By challenging your circumstances with composure in this fashion, you can perfectly establish a vast and eternally unshakable inner state as if you were kings and queens of life." 
Writing about Nanjo Tokimitsu's father, Nichiren Daishonin writes: "When he was alive,  he was a Buddha in life, and now he is a Buddha in death. He is a Buddha in both life and death" (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 456) This also applies to the great seniors in faith whom you yourselves have known. In life, great good fortune, and in death, great satisfaction - in fact, a single person can enact an infinitely respectable drama of life and death in this world. I hope that you will continue making tenacious efforts based ont he three pillars of faith, practice and study, all the while cherishing lofty prode in being philosophers who embrace the great Buddhist law. Those who do will realize unparalleled victory and will lead lives of unparalleled happiness."

And my friends, I hope you have a great week - starting with these words by Daisaku Ikeda. Our desires...even the pain we experience from those desires...are exactly what we need establish a state of absolute happiness in our lives! Happy Monday Morning! 

Chant Strongly...Don't Whisper to Your Own Life!

Does it make a difference how loudly you chant? 

Can you chant in a whisper or under your breath? 

Well....you can chant any way you like of course. If there are sleeping babies in the next room or you have some other reason that your chanting with full vigor would be detrimental to someone, then  there are times you need to chant softly. 

But if you are chanting softly for no real reason...maybe you still think chanting is kind of weird, or no one ever told you to chant with strength and vigor - let me be the first! 

When you are chanting you are directly addressing your own life...and through your own life you are connecting with the entire universe. 

Make yourself heard! 

Chant strongly and proudly! 

You are the Lotus Flower rising from the muddy water...spread your petals wide and let your voice fill the room, 
fill the house, 
fill your universe! 

If you really, really, really, can't do this at home, do your best to concentrate on your prayer, and do not worry about anything. You will get the results and the benefits. Do not be shy about telling your life what you need. And remember that true happiness comes not only from achieving what we need, but also by growing, and helping others! You are a Buddha! You deserve exactly what you want. 
And then, if you are in your car alone, (or someplace private) just let 'er rip! 
Chant as loudly and as powerfully as you can. I do not mean scream! I mean tap into your whole body...feel your chant come from deep in your belly and rise through every chakra. 
Sit up as straight as you can and feel the energy flowing! Once you get started you will not want to stop! 

I'm not sure why, and maybe there is some kind of good reason for this, but the more I chant...the more I want to chant! I feel as if I am tapping into a deep reservoir of hope and health, life and vibrancy and possibility...not just for myself, but for my loved ones, my members and all of you. 

We are all so magnificent. We can think of ourselves as standing in front of a huge crowd of people. In front of us is a big heavy door representing the karma that we want to break through and change. All the people behind us are waiting expectantly with hope shining in their eyes for US to open the door, so everyone can flow though into the sunlight, into the warmth. We are so precious and we all have such incredible missions. We need to constantly remind ourselves that ANYTHING we are suffering from, any heartbreak, any hunger for someone or something, any job problems, any family problems...any challenges...they all exist for us to exercise our muscle of faith and become stronger. If those problems weren't there we would not have to chant and we couldn't shine ourselves and polish our lives! 

We need to have gratitude for the very things that make us suffer. I know. I know. Trust me! We can do it! We can do it together, for ourselves and for each other and for the entire planet. Kosen Rufu is everyone's dream...a world of respect for life and a higher vibration of happiness for all. That's our goal. That is what is in our hearts. Remember to chant for whatever you want and attach it to the goal of kosen rufu! I am always chanting to be happy so that I can inspire others that happiness is possible. Our lives have meaning when we can be lifting each other, holding hands, laughing, smiling, sometimes crying and always advancing with each other and with our Mentor, Daisaku Ikeda! 

Lots of great comments from YOU!

Thank you so much for writing me! A few of your comments came at exactly the right time for me. 
Please send me your experiences and your pictures.
Send them to chantforhappiness@gmail.com

It's a tremendous CAUSE for YOU to have your experience posted on this blog! Just think of all the people you'll inspire!!!

Here are a few recent comments:


ANOTHER great post, thanks -- just shared it on my FB! The 10 Worlds concept reminds me of Abraham Maslow's pyramid and how marvelous it is that Buddhism was waaay ahead of "modern" concepts, again! on 
Getting rid of fear...a study of the TEN WORLDS

Wonderful testimony of the power of NMRK, faith, and ambition.....on Kathy's experience

I have found peace with myself chanting is doing wonders to me Thank you on Getting rid of fear...a study of the TEN WORLDS

Thank you on I know...Sometimes You Just have to KEEP HAVING HOPE

Thanks I am benefitting a lot say every morning with you recording God bless on Determination for Financial Fortune

Kathy's Awesome Experience of Victory in finding a job!

Kathy is on the left, and Christine is on the right. Christine baked a cake for tonight's meeting and we're celebrating Kathy's Victory! See Below!

My name is Kathy Fisher.  On October 31^st I will celebrate 33 years of practicing this awesome Buddhism.  

Last year on April 15, 2011, I lost my job due to my company downsizing its work force by a third due to losses.  I have been in the insurance Commercial Property and Casualty field for the past 22 years and was an Underwriting Supervisor for the past 5 years working for an insurance carrier. I had the polished resume, references and experience.

Two months prior to losing my job I was asked to be a Soka Gakkai  (SGI) Vice Chapter Leader in the West Chapter, Chicago Zone, and Central Territory.  Prior to being promoted I was the District Leader of the Downers Grove District. 

I presently live with my 2 sons one of which is disabled.  

I continued to chant daimoko, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, with the resolve I would not suffer from the obstacle of being laid off and out of work.  In my new leadership role I assumed more responsibilities and became more focused on member care on the chapter level.  Members would call me for guidance and encouragement since I was home on a regular basis.   This was such an awesome benefit in my life.  Never had I been so accessible to the members. I also had the ability to chant even more than ever on a daily basis. A dream was to able to clean our Illinois Activity Center in Wood Dale, IL for the first time ever I had the benefit of living that dream.  

I have worked so hard all of my life since high school and was now in a situation where I had been middle management and was an older person looking for work.  I made a nice salary as well in my former position.  I never had an issue finding employment in my life.  There have been occasions where I would be off, but not for long stretches of time in my employment. 

I was determined nothing would be an obstacle.  I went on interviews for great positions only to hear someone else was chosen.  I also came to realize that I was facing age discrimination.  Many of my friends and family had experienced this discrimination and were forced into early retirement.  Another obstacle was the fact that I was middle management and was overqualified for some of the positions I was apply for.  To say the least this was very demoralizing and exhausting. I had to remain optimistic with a fighting attitude that I would not be defeated by this obstacle.  

See I was chanting for my retirement job not just any job.  I would have the whole package and nothing less.  I was going to have the job with all the bells and whistles.  Awesome benefits, would work in a thriving positive environment, be appreciated, and show powerful actual proof in my life by practicing this Buddhism.  Everything happens for a reason in our lives.  Firmly believing in this spurred me on in my practice.  I knew in my heart my prayers would be answered.

Months turned into a year and a year into 16 months.  I realized just what a crazy exhausting life I had up until now.  Working so very hard without taking time off had become my way of life.  I came to realize I was exactly where I needed to be for World Peace.  

I reaffirmed my vow to my mentor, President Ikeda that this would be a win in my life to overcome my obstacle.  “On Attaining Buddhahood In This Lifetime” written by President Ikeda became a deeper part of my life.  In Chapter 3, page 25 is a very profound quote I started applying to my life, “Indeed, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can be likened to a “wish-granting jewel.”  How can we develop the boundless state of life that enables us to bring forth whatever strength is necessary?  President Toda often used to say, “If you really want to achieve such a state of life, you have to fight with every ounce of your being for the Lotus Sutra, for kosen-rufu!”  President Toda also stressed the importance of living true to oneself.

During the May Contribution campaign I went and applied for a widow pension which was a benefit I did not know if I qualified for due to my son’s disability through Social Security.  This was 2 weeks prior to the end of the campaign.  I was qualified instantly and it was not linked to his benefits.  I was able to contribute 5 times the amount during this campaign, the most ever in my practice.  This was another dream come true.

On July 28^th I attended a meeting at our Illinois Activity Center for a Leader’s Meeting with Linda Johnson, SGI National Women’s Division Leader. For years I have chanted to meet her and dialogue.

After the meeting I was introduced to her.  I was living my dream.  She graciously thanked me for all my efforts for SGI.  I was able to share my obstacle with her and determined to her I would not be defeated by this obstacle and the discrimination I was experience. I would make the impossible possible in my life.  She told me to never give up and told me she would be chanting for my complete success.  What a benefit in my life!

I continued to chant and interview with the determination of a lion for kozen-rufu.  I knew in my heart I would win completely.  In all my years I have never been defeated by anything.  

Prayers are answered exactly when they are suppose to be and complete faith and continuous daimoku is the key to winning.  

My complete victory manifested today on August 15, 2012.  I start my new job on August 27, 2012.  I will have fantastic benefits, hours, and very positive work environment.  I will have the opportunity to take on underwriting responsibilities.  Here is another surprise I have always wanted to truly learn the underwriting aspect of the insurance world.  Another dream has come true.  I never once suffered financially during this entire experience.  

Please never give up, resolve to show actual proof, embrace your SGI family, enjoy and appreciate every obstacle and benefit alike in your life.  You are the Buddha and more powerful than you realize.  A very special thank you to my family, friends, and SGI family you are all simply the best!

Good Morning!

I hope you greet the day with a smile on your face and determination in your heart! 

When you win in the morning you win in life! 

I know some of you are not reading this in the morning, but I hope you take this to heart for your next morning!

I hope every morning - to the best of your ability - that you have a chanting goal! 

I chant every morning for an hour. Of course there are some exceptions. Yesterday I was out of the house by 5:30, so I only did gongyo, and chanted more at night. 

This is a practice for our entire lives. Each day we do the best that we can. 

And we need to be aware that every morning we are focusing the energy of our lives through our prayers  !

Sometimes I plan ahead for what I'll be chanting about. Sometimes I don't. Today I have an outside Health Fair that my students are attending. We have a table and they will be doing health education and screenings. And it looks like rain! So I chanted for this to be meaningful for them no matter what the weather. I chanted for two family members. 

And most of all I chanted to bring the power forth from within my life...to channel my energy for good and to make a difference with my life this very day. 

There's a Buddhist District Meeting tonight at my house! Rock on - I chanted for everyone who is here  tonight to have a breakthrough in their lives. 

I know you each have your own wonderful prayers. I do not share my prayers with you in order to tell you what to do. I share these prayers in order to inspire YOU to pray with all of your heart and all of your love and all of your passion!!!

Great day

Paul and I  had a fun day driving Ben back to college. We laughed and laughed. Even though I'm sad to have him gone again...I'm also happy. He is so excited about his year. He feels healthy and hopefully he will be able to run with the team. 

These clouds greeted us upon our arrival back in the Chicago area...

See what I mean? See how easily happiness can come again? 
Don't give up! Keep going! Keep chanting!

I haven't been getting many comments lately...is everyone on vacation? 

Have fun! Enjoy! 

Sometimes Even Buddhas are Sad

You know, even Buddhas have emotions. Buddhas are human beings awakened to the eternity of life, but they are HUMANS as well. 

This is an interesting time for me. I know it's not quite fall yet. The leaves aren't turning, but there is a certain slant to the sun, and today we drive Ben back to college. So it really feels like fall. Fall always reminds me of all the other falls I've ever had....all the times I would bring my boys to their first day of grade school and take pictures of them with their friends and their new teachers and cry all the way home at the sweetness of my life and the inevitable passage of time. If only they could stay in grade school for the rest of their lives, always saying "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"

I was always such a happy Mom. I wasn't one of those Moms who are constantly on the phone or somewhere else, even when they are with their kids. Oh no. I savored every moment. I tried to memorize the precious time we had together. When we went to the park I would chase them and we would laugh and laugh and laugh. Ahhh those precious moments with those laughing little faces! 

So here I am, much older. My body is experiencing changes and I find myself sad some of the time. I'm missing someone I loved and who isn't in my life anymore, (I can relate to all of you who write me about this subject) I'm missing my Mom and going through a a time of poignancy and self-reflection. 
Yesterday I decided that I wasn't going to resist these feelings any more. I am not going to get mad at myself for feeling sad, like somehow I should be above sadness. How can I be above sadness? I am still a human! So I am re-embracing the Gosho quote I adored from my earliest days of practice:

"Suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy...and continue chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo no matter what happens." From Happiness in this Life by Nichiren Daishonin

And when I am sad and feel like crying, as long as I'm not at work (which is going very well), I might just let myself cry, and not feel like I'm somehow defeated. Tears can be sweet. They can be a release. I may as well enjoy them. As Daisaku Ikeda says, and I have to paraphrase (because I have to get going to drive Ben back and forth to Miami of Ohio in Oxford Ohio today with Paul)

"There is no darkness that has ever come to stay...there is no wind that keeps blowing forever". 

So I am in a blowing wind. And it will pass. And I continue to chant and to introduce others and feel immense joy when they have benefits. Someone I introduced a while ago just chanted for the first time with her partner and step daughter yesterday...all the seeds of my heartfelt efforts are springing up all over the planet. Great joy awaits me. And in this moment...I can just be. 

Sending you love and light and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Chanting for Yourself and OTHERS!

Happy Monday Morning! 

... another week to make a difference in your life and the lives of others by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 

Today I want to encourage you to chant for others. 

ESPECIALLY if you have many challenges in your own life - please chant for others. 

The Soka Gakkai is a network (a Family!) of people who are chanting for each other and sharing and spreading the lifeblood of faith. If you are not yet connected to the Soka Gakkai I recommend you call the center nearest you and ask them who practices in your area and meet your new friends. (You can find your local center by visiting sgi-usa.org, or doing a search on Soka Gakkai International).

Why do we chant for others? Well, because we ARE others. We are ourselves, but we are also part of all of life. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo exists in everything. Chanting for others builds our muscle of compassion and helps us to develop deeper relationships. Chanting for others is a cause for our lives, and a cause for other's lives. Together we advance in joy and friendship! 

In the essay "A Renaissance of Spirit Based on Friendship" from My Dear Friends in America, Daisaku Ikeda writes 

"Nichiren Daishonin says "JOY means delight shared by oneself and others.
Joy us not simply your personal egotistical happiness, nor is it making others happy at the expense of your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together ~ this is the mystic law and the wonderous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu.
...Each of you developing wisdom, making joyful progress with open and generous hearts and spreading waves of joy into society and the world ~ this is the Daishonin's Buddhism. 
Faith means infinite hope, and infinite hope resides in the SGI. So long as your faith is sincere, infinite glory, boundless good fortune and endless victory will unfold before you. You will never find yourself at a dead end." 

I'm about to sit down in front of my own Gohonzon (and how grateful I am that many of you are receiving yours - there IS a difference when you have your own Gohonzon, isn't there? Write and tell me about it and I will share it on the blog)
And I'm going to chant for my friend whose brother recently died, for another friend's 96 year old Mum who is in a Dublin hospital,  for all of the members and guests in my district and for all of YOU readers, whom I've not yet met, but love with all my heart. 

Whatever pain or challenges you are experiencing...try dedicating some daimoku to others and see how good it makes you feel! 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
Happy Monday!

Thanks for sharing!

Look what a reader just wrote me!!!



ANOTHER great post, thanks -- just shared it on my FB! The 10 Worlds concept reminds me of Abraham Maslow's pyramid and how marvelous it is that Buddhism was waaay ahead of "modern" concepts, again! on Getting rid of fear...a study of the TEN WORLDS

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