Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Powerful Power Prayer



We are all so much more powerful than we know. 

I'm chanting this Power Prayer:

I now unleash the unlimited power of the Gohonzon in my life for the good of all. 
I'm experiencing clarity of vision and easily knowing exactly which steps to take for the ultimate happiness of all. 
I am determined to increase my levels of strength and fortitude...for the positive energy within my life to continue to overpower my fear and negativity. 
Each day I am moving closer and closer to my goal. 

I also chant for every member in my District and each and every reader of this blog. 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Monday, January 21, 2013

An Important Day for the States ~ Strength and determination in life

"Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. 
In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. 
When you wage a struggle, 
you might win or you might lose. 
But regardless of the short-term outcome, 
the very fact of your continuing to struggle 
is proof of your victory as a human being. 
A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer—
developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood."  
Daisaku Ikeda

Today is Martin Luther King Day. And inauguration day for President Barack Obama. It is a day of hope and new beginnings.

When we practice Buddhism every day is a day of hope and new beginnings. We embrace the "Hon Nim Myo" spirit, meaning "from this moment forth." The past is inconsequential, the future becons, and the point of power is right now, right here, sitting in front of our Gohonzons dialoguing with the source of our lives, directing our energy and vitality.

Each moment we spend chanting and creating our lives is eternal. Every Daimoku we chant goes deep into our lives for all eternity. Every chant holds meaning for our lives seven generation in the past and seven generation in the future. It is this realization of eternity and the expansiveness of each one of our lives that brings us power. Remember we each chose to have the karma we have and be born with our challenges in order to prove the validity of the law, strengthen our life and raise the life condition - vibration of us all.

We are all true Boddhisatvas. When we embrace our challenges, rather than running from them, we can change them. As President Ikeda says "It is important to take a long range view." What you are chanting about may not change today, tomorrow, or for months to come. But every time you wake up, chant and challenge it you strengthen your life. Strengthening our lives is happiness itself. Whatever your challenge - make a fresh determination every single day and you will win. What is strength? Resiliency. Determination. Resolve. Courage. Hope. Victory. 


"Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. 
In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. 
When you wage a struggle, 
you might win or you might lose. 
But regardless of the short-term outcome, 
the very fact of your continuing to struggle 
is proof of your victory as a human being. 
A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer—
developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood."  
Daisaku Ikeda

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Saturday, January 19, 2013

My Personal Professional Power Prayer. Casting-off the transient and revealing the true.


There's a very interesting quote in the March Living Buddhism Magazine (published by the SGI-USA, go to SGI-USA.org for subscription information.) 

On Page 21 the lecture by Daisaku Ikeda on the Gosho "The Actions nof the Votary of the Lotus Sutra" states: 

     "On May 3, 1951, Josei Toda was inaugurated as the second Soka Gakkai president. He regarded that event as signifying "casting off the transient and revealing the true" by the Soka Gakkai, as an organization of believers directly connected in faith to Nichiren Daishonin. 

     "Mr. Toda explained that his mentor and first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi often used to say that the Soka Gakkai must "cast-off the transient and reveal the true" - referring to the Buddhist concept that means to discard one's transient status and show one's true identity or highest potential. Mr. Toda said he had asked himself what that meant in terms of the Soka Gakkai. None of the other members knew what Makiguchi meant, either. But after spending two years in prison for his beliefs, Mr. Toda said, he finally had a realization that led him to proclaim to his deceased mentor: "Our lives are eternal...We (the members of the Soka Gakkai) are Bodhisatvas of the earth with the great mission to propagate the seven-character Lotus Sutra (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) in the Latter Day of the Law." This awareness gradually spread through the entire organization, with members gradually  coming to understand that they shared this lofty mission as the true followers of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day. Mr. Toda declared that his inauguration was proof of his own personal awareness and commitment in this regard, and thus marked the moment of the Soka Gakkai's casting off the transient and revealing the true, which Mr. Makiguchi had longed to see." 

That's it. We ARE the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. We have inherited the direct line of Buddhahood by chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." Now is our time. Now is the time for us to have more benefits, bring forth more power and be absolutely incredibly happy for the sake of the world, for the sake of hope and for the sake of peace. We can do it. 

In other words, we can all "Cast-off the transient and reveal the true" within our own lives. 
How can we do this, and why would we want to?

For me, "Casting off the transient and revealing the true" means bringing forth my own Buddhahood and claiming my responsibility and honor as a Boddhisatva of the earth. The more I can activate the power of my true self...the true self that lies beyond my mind, beyond my heart, and is the power of the universe itself, the more my environment will change to reflect my truest desires. 

This quote, and a wonderful conversation with my mentor Kate, led me to chant a new Power Prayer today. I chanted three hours this morning of absolutely focused and targeted Daimoku. 

Power Prayer to Reveal my True Self and create the Profession that uses ALL my talents:

I chant to discard the transient and reveal the true in all aspects of my life. Today I am willing to discard everything that no longer serves me. I discard all doubt, all negativity and any feelings of not being good enough or not knowing what I should do.


I am determined for my profession (whether working for myself or with others) to be fulfilling in every possible way, and to utilize every single one of my skills, and joys and potential. 


I am richly compensated and prove the power of a human being realizing her true potential. 

I am in an organization that is thriving with self-fulfilled individuals living their passion every day.  My professional environment reflects my true identity, my real, magnificent self, and is filled with appreciation and love. 

I am DONE with the karma of being unappreciated. I permanently root that karma from my life.

I permanently wash doubt and negativity from my life. I don't care how many times it arises. Each time I feel doubt I will chant and chase it our of my brain like the fierce lioness I am. 

Everything I need right now to achieve my goals comes to me immediately and my mind is cleared of confusion. I easily make decisions and move forward in all areas of my life. 

My power to help people is inexhaustible and unlimited and I trust myself to let it flow. 

I surround myself with trusted, wise and loyal advisors in all areas, law, health, accounting, and technology etc. 

All that I need flows to me effortlessly. I easily make choices and move forward. I tap into my deepest and most trustworthy wisdom right now. President Ikeda's spirit runs through me and I chant to live a brilliant, sparkling, dedicated life that would make him proud.

I now release the full, unlimited power of the Gohonzon in my life. I access the full power of my conscious and subconscious mind to create the reality of all I desire. I tap into the vast resources of my life and help others to do the same.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Persistence WORKS. Chronicle of a Victory in life.

I have achieved VICTORY in one area of my life. 

I'm telling you about it to serve as an example of how you can create a victory in your own life. 

I have triumphed over something that caused me great suffering, and outlining the steps I took towards that victory. You can apply this to any problem or challenge that feels impossible to you. I share this with you in the hopes that you can use this outline to create your own victory. This is my experience and not any official advice from anyone besides my own heart for your happiness. 

When I was six years old I realized that my thighs were bigger than the rest of the skinny girls in school. In third grade I had to go on medications for asthma and had to stop running around, because I stopped breathing when I ran. Back then we didn't go to the hospital, or have inhalers. I would spend hours just gasping for air. It was even scarier than it sounds. Anyway...I was soon much heavier than the other kids, at least most of them. 

Being overweight is a terrible way of suffering here in America. It leaves you free to be tormented by any kid who wants to show off and prove his own self worth. I went on my first diet in fourth grade, but I was always hungry ALL the time. I knew it wouldn't work. Our houeshold diet consisted of the standard American diet at the time...lots of processed foods. 

In High School and College I went from diet to diet and lost and gained weight more times than I can count. But I could not fix the problem. When I became a Buddhist after college I chanted sincerely about this problem, and every year at New Years I would determine to lose fifty pounds by my birthday. I did lose the weight a few times, but it always came back. 

OK, here's the encouraging part. 

Every year I determined to lose the weight. Every day I determined to do it. And even when I felt hopeless and a failure I determined to lose the weight. A few years ago I made a book of pictures of what I wanted to look like, and I visualized myself walking into my favorite clothing store and buying anything I wanted. I also wrote a list of why I wanted to be thin. I put every sentence in the present tense. And I kept chanting, encouraging others and introducing people to this practice.  

I chanted that "No matter what, I am going to be victorious in this endeavor so that I can help others who are also suffering." Even when I felt discouraged I did not stop. I found one diet that helped, and I gained back some of the weight. I found another that brought me down further. I was living at a lower weight but had more to go. I incorporated walking vigorously into almost every day. Yet, I still lived in fear that one day I would gain back all the weight. And every day was a struggle with myself. I was hungry all the time. I was mad at myself most of the time. 

Then came the real breakthrough.  In 2012 I chanted to be more healthy than I'd ever been. I chanted for more energy in my body, a quicker, more resilient mind, and to develop strength. I chanted to discover what I did not know that could help me. I chanted to bring to me the resources and people who would know just what I needed to do to live in absolute health. I chanted to change in any way possible to make this dream a reality in my life. I chanted to release myself from the torturous world of hunger, fear and doubt once and for all. And every time doubt and depression arose in my mind I vanquished it by saying "I don't CARE how many times you rise to defeat me, I WILL WIN! I will keep chanting until doubt, depression and defeat are out of my life forever." 

One day in the fall a friend told me about a professional she had consulted who had known exactly what foods and supplements she needed, and she was following this professional's advice and felt better than ever. I asked for her name and called her. She basically told me everything I was eating was wrong, and that I had to change everything. Everything. I couldn't phase the new way of eating in. I had to do it all at once. It took a few days for this to sink in. 

Then I connected with my dear friend Julia who had been eating a plant-based, whole food diet for three months and was so excited about it. She told me about all the great foods I could eat, and introduced me to many new ways of cooking and buying and seasoning food. 

See, that's the way it works. When we keep our determinations, eventually the universe conspires (breathes with us) to provide all we need to make the victory real. That night I saw a doctor on TV saying that the average American diet makes people hungry all the time, and that telling someone on the average American diet not to eat when they are hungry is like telling them not to breathe when they need air. That really made sense to me. 

The minute I started this new way of eating my intense hunger just evaporated. I felt free of hunger for the first time in my life. I have now been eating this way since November 14th. I feel better than ever. My clothes fit better than ever. And the fear of gaining the weight back has vanished. It's not going to happen. It is gone. I have changed a deep suffering. I am out of fear. I am enjoying food more than ever and cooking incredibly delicious soups and stir frys. I have replaced almost everything in my kitchen. 

So whatever it is that is your deepest, most troublesome karma...whatever is impossible in your life. You can change it too. You can gain victory over it. No, it might not happen over night. I had to develop to the point that I could handle making a transition easily and with no suffering. I had to change something deep within my life, and now my environment is changing to reflect the change in side my life. 

My great desire is for my experience to help you in some way.

If I can do THIS, you can do ANYTHING.  








Sunday, January 13, 2013

Powerful Prayers create Powerful Connection



Ben and I enjoying the 96th of the John Hancock Center together. 

This morning I was sad about my son going back to college. 

I woke up very early. We had one last hug and he left. 

I put my phone away, made some tea, got some water and put my pen and journal next to me. 

For the next two hours I chanted with my full heart and attention. 

I chanted to expand my capacity in every possible way...to expand my capacity for love, 
to expand my capacity for excellent health, to strengthen my mind's thought processes so I can continue to create the life of my dreams, 
to strengthen my life from the inside and raise my life condition, 
to change internally so I can create change externally.
I chanted to break through my doubt and my fear and unleash the limitless power of the Gohonzon in my life. 

I chanted for every single reader of this blog to be encouraged, strong, and resolved, and that no matter what, you do not stop chanting or give up hope. 

I chanted for all the members of my district and for all my friends and family. 

I chanted for Chicago Zone and for the meeting at the Chicago Buddhist Center today to be amazing and unifying. 

I chanted for our country and our world. 

I chanted to show actual proof with every fiber of my being, and to be able to inspire people. 

I chanted for peace of mind. 

I chanted to rise above my own doubts and to connect with President Ikeda's heart every moment of every day.  

I only looked up from the Gohonzon a couple of times. Two hours of chanting felt like ten minutes. 

Tonight as I write this I am filled with the energy from this Daimoku. I have been laughing and enjoying every moment of this day. The meeting at the Chicago Buddhist Center was wonderful and filled with joy. I just watched the Golden Globes and laughed and cried. I am looking forward to tomorrow's new day. 

I am hoping this inspires you to dig deep, leave your cell phone in the other room and connect with your own life force in front of the Gohonzon. Sometimes it takes some sadness to generate this kind of Daimoku. 

I am so grateful to have this tool in my life. So grateful for every moment I spend connecting to my life, to all of life, through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Michael's Encouraging Experience






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

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

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

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

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

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

Have Limitless Faith in the Power of Your Own Life

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

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

"Sickness" can be anything. It can be illness, depression, abuse. It can be the negativity in our own hearts and heads. It can be anything in our lives that we don't want. Our chanting can take care of that sickness, and rid it from our lives completely. It starts with a strong practice. 
The beginning of the year is an excellent time to resolve to strengthen your practice. It's a great time to resolve "I am going to practice harder than ever this year, and I will finally overcome_______(you fill in the blank). That is how you make the impossible possible. 
Continually remaking this determination is how I fulfilled a lifetime goal of mine. It's how I lost the weight I'd carried my whole life. After continually making this determination, year after year, I finally found out that the foods I was eating were actually making me more hungry and making it impossible to reach my goals. By this time I had developed the inner strength it too to totally change my diet. I'd also gotten the fortune to have friends who could guide me on the path by showing me all the new and exciting foods I could eat. This enabled me to switch my focus from what I couldn't eat to what I could eat. (Thank you dear Julia!) I developed healthy habits that now come easily to me. I feel and look better than ever. But this did not come the very first time I made the determination. I had to make it  over and over and over and after continual practice I achieved my goal. I didn't give up although some years I did feel discouraged. But I persisted. And I won. This was a goal that for many years felt absolutely impossible. And I won. 

In "My Dear Friends in America, Collected U.S.Addresses 1990-1996" Daisaku Ikeda says in the essay "Buddhism is the Clear Mirror that Reflects our Lives" 
       "If you practice faith while doubting its effects, you will get results that are, at  best, unsatisfactory. This is the reflection of your own weak faith in the mirror of the cosmos.
      "On the other hand, when you stand up with strong conviction, you will accumulate limitless blessings. While controlling your mind, which is at once both extremely subtle and solemnly profound, you should strive to elevate your faith with freshness and vigor." When you do so, both your life and your surroundings will open wide before you and every action you take will become a source of benefit. Understanding the subtle workings of one's mind is the key to faith and to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime..."

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


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Financial Determination by a reader to get out of Debt

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

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


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

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

You can change ANYTHING through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo


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

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

What is the process?


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


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


A SuperPrayers to accomplish this could be:


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


I also advise: 

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

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

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

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

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



You can do this! You Buddha YOU!

Monday, January 7, 2013

A New Beginning

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

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

I'm set for the New Year.

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

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

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

Have a great day. 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Trust Your Prayer

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

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

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

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

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

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

Awesome! 




Thursday, January 3, 2013

Power Prayers for the New Year


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

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

At the New Year it is time to:


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

What  does this mean?


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


So how do you do it?


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


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


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


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


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


Determination for strong faith:

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

Some of you know I lost 70 pounds. 

Here is my determination: 

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


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


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


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


I have a vow for my love life too: 

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

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


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


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


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



Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year - Hon Nim Myo!

Happy New Year!



What a great opportunity to change our lives. 

On New Years we celebrate with "Hon Nim Myo" spirit. "Hon Nim Myo" means "from this moment forth." This moment is the only moment that counts. Anything we did in the past, and anything we WILL do in the future mean nothing next to "Hon Nim Myo." We can access the power of this exact moment. You have it. I have it. We all access it any time we chant. 

There is a Gosho called "The New Year's Gosho written by Nichiren Daishonin. I quote from the Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume One, 1985. 

     "A person who celebrates this day will gain virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and the sun shines more brightly traveling from west to east. 
      First of all, as to the question of where exactly hell and the Buddha exist, one sutra states that hell exists underground and another sutra states that the Buddha is in the west. However closer examination reveals that both exist on our five-foot body. The reason I think so is that hell is in the heart of of a man who despises his father and disregards his mother, just like the lotus seed, which contains both flower and fruit at the same time. In the same way, the Buddha dwells inside our hearts. For example, flint can produce fire and gems possess value in themselves. We common mortals can see neither our eyebrows, which are so close, nor heaven in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts."

Many years ago, 1987 to be exact, I attended a Gosho lecture by a brilliant SGI leader called Pete Cranock. Here's what he told us that touched my heart:

He said that if making up our minds could have changed our lives, it would have already changed them. In many cases we can't make things happen by changing our minds alone because there is karma. Karma is created by lifetimes of causes we have made, and causes we are still making. Every thought, every action is a cause. These causes create momentum that make it hard to reverse the motion of our lives. Our habits are hard to change. That is why we practice Buddhism. We chant to change the momentum of our habits, and we chant to make the changes that we haven't been able to make by changing our minds alone. That is why we chant. 
By chanting we access the power to change our karma. And we CAN do it. Starting right now. We don't have to wait. He said that our prayer on New Year's Day is deeper because we make it so. We can use the momentum of New Year's Day to deepen our prayer and really CHANGE what we want to change. Now is the time to take the opportunity. He said it is good to plan out our prayer for New year's Day. It's good to make our lists and take a long, hard look at our lives. We all know that sometimes looking at our lives is painful. But we have the greatest tool, chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and we have the Gosho and Daisaku Ikeda and our friends in the SGI to support us.

He said: 
"If you feel stale, chant for the type of actual proof that will really help you to be excited abou this practice." 

He stressed that knowledge about Buddhism isn't enough. Yes, we all KNOW that Buddhahood is within our lives, but it is only through daily concentrated practice that we can actually experience this state of life within ourselves.

It is difficult to chant. It is difficult to chant every day. 

We might as well have the attitude "I am going to make the most of this practice. I am going to give it all I've got." You have to jump in all the way if you want the best results. Practicing with enthusiasm is important. Think of it like ringing the bell. If you ring the bell softly you will get a soft sound. If you ring it with harder with conviction you can feel its sound echoing through your body. Chant to ring the bell with conviction.

When you go to an activity, think "I am here to get the MOST out of this activity." You gain benefit when you are doing something with joy. 
Refresh our practice. Deepen our sincerity and live lives of joy and appreciation. 
And as I always say: "Tell your life what you want. Do not pray to anyone or anything - except your life itself. 

Happy, Happy New Year. May this be the year that we ALL make our dreams come true, and show our friends and families the way to happiness. 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Power Prayers - Determinations for the New Year



I am working on my determinations for the New Year. 
They are not done yet, but when they are I will share them with you. I know for sure that there are aspects of my current life situation that I am determined not to take into the new year, and other things I want to create.  

I also know that there are so many things I have to appreciate about my life and my progress so far. 

As some of you know, for the past year and a half I have lived in my first apartment. This is a great feat for me - one I felt was almost impossible a few years ago. I am learning how to take care of myself in all areas of my life. I am financially responsible. I have totally changed to a healthy plant-based whole food way of life that has alleviated many of the health problems I experienced my whole life. My health is continuing to improve. 

I'm planning on having a session with myself where I write down all my accomplishments from the past year....everything I can appreciate from the last year. Then I will set about creating new determinations for every area. 

Determinations are different from goals, although they are goal oriented. 

A sample determination - or Power Prayer would be:

I am determined to increase health and happiness in all areas of my life. All the resources and people I need to achieve this goal flow seamlessly into my life. All I need is provided for right away. Every day I feel healthier, more awake and more vibrant than ever. I am determined to show actual proof of this practice by radiating health, happiness and peace of mind.

That's one sample Power Prayer - 
Would you like to share yours with the other readers? 
Send your power prayers to me at silversunsinger@gmail.com.

I can publish with your name or anonymously. Your choice.  

Friday, December 28, 2012

When it's Hard to Chant...

Sometimes it is difficult to chant. 
It happens to me too. Sometimes I sit in front of my Gohonzon and I keep getting distracted, or I feel unconnected to my prayer, or I feel defeated and hopeless or tired. 
This is natural. We all experience doubt and negativity  from time to time. Life is full of ebbs and flows and highs and lows. How can we chant when we feel this way? What prayer will impact our lives? 

Here in Chicago we have beautiful snow falling this morning, and I am thinking of you all, and chanting for you to not give up hope, and to keep going no matter what. 

I am chanting to appreciate my life and to love myself. I truly believe that if each of us really loved ourselves and cherished our own hearts we could make an even bigger difference in the lives of others and in our own happiness. I am chanting to raise my life condition and to be happy this moment. 

On this full moon and snowy day I am saying:

Chant to experience love for yourself and recognize your own Buddha nature and Buddha self. Chant to appreciate your own loving heart. Chant to raise your life condition so that you can see and feel how wonderful YOU are. 

We are each so precious. We need to summon the knowledge and feeling from within ourselves of how precious, how loving, how wonderful we all are. 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Great Health Experience






I was introduced to the practice by my sister's friend three years back.  I felt protected instantly  after chanting during some of the darkest moments . Initally like most of us, I chanted 5-10 minutes and then didn't for weeks. Thanks to some of the critical situations in life and the leaders' persistence I continued and became more active.

I have overcome a number of obstacles both from within and without during these years and have experienced many benefits (which I'll share with all of you soon).

This year in August my father, who suffers from chronic pancreatitus, suddenly got another acute attack on august 15th. After getting admitted to the hospital, his condition worsened and he was shifted to Fortis ICU for respiratory distress syndrome and acute pancreatitus. His serum amylase and lipase (indicator of pancreas) were above 1600 and the normal level is below 200. The normal PO2 level(indicator of lung function) is above 80 and his was 50. In such cases they put patients on ventilators but the doctors negligence turned out to be a benefit for us. His face used to be almost blue during those days.

This was a few days after I recieved my gohonzon and I just had complete faith that it has to be a benefit so that he has an even healthier life. Also On the same day I got an oppurtunity to be the MC for the August SGI meeting and I joyfully accepted it chanting through the night for a vibrant zadankai (meeting) and all members to be inspired. I determined to do my own human revolution by not panicing in such crisis instead giving faith and courage to my sister and mother who were clearly in utter panic.

Whenever I was in doubt, I read sensei's lecture on the gosho "The good medicine for all ills".  Josei Toda wrote,"Dont let anything shake you. Just chant with your whole life. Never lose heart. Activate the positive forces of the universe.  I chanted sincerely to change the poison in his pancreas to amrita . I visualised waving a sword of nam myoho renge kyo in his pancreas .

Papa's serum amylase and lipase- an indicator of pancreas dropped back to below 200 which is normal by august 19th i.e. within 4-5 days which was extremely remarkable .

We received protection in the form of my doctor aunt who dropped everything and came to our city  and instructed the low skilled staff of "a hospital in india " to handle his lungs better .
My sister also started chanting more seriously and started seeing results herself. His lung condition was still very weak. She chanted for papa to do spirometery exercises every hour as instructed  even though he was very weak. She chanted for him to want to get better and not give up even in the extreme condition of the ICU .

However, the infection in his body i.e. the TLC counts kept shooting up. In spite of that,  he started looking and feeling better. By the end of the week his TLC was as high as 30,000 (normal is below 11000) and the doctor in fortis said it's unbelievable that he doesn't look as sick as his reports say he is. I smiled, of course.

I read the gosho again and again. At the risk of sounding stupid to my family full of doctors, I encouraged them to read it. Sensei says, " The Buddha is likened to a physician because he teaches people the "medicine of immortality. " The medicine of immortality is "amrita". Elsewhere Nichiren daishonin says," Amrita is nam myoho renge kyo " .

Meanwhile The doctor insisted for him to get neckline since all his other veins were swollen. Now, the neckline can cause many more infections for a lung patient esp in the ICU and by then he had developed hospital aided pnuemonia. The doctor gave us one hour to decide and sign the consent form. I started chanting very strongly and within minutes one of the male nurse found a perfect vein in the arm somewhere which lasted three days.

Because of staying calm and being in a high life condition, we could decide immediately without even our mom to take him out of "A hospital in our city" to " Hospital in another city " where my aunt is an HOD. I was chanting all throughout the way. We met with many obstacles , the ambulance met with an accident , the ac didnt work  but papa's vitals didn't change a bit throughout the journey and he safely shifted to a private ward. Again, he didn't see us frown when any of this was happening, rather all he heard was Nam myoho renge kyo .

We met the best of doctors in the other city. The doctor again suggested a neck line but my sister had determined by then to not let that happen and well it didn't. His TLC i.e. the infection count came down to normal within 3-4 days. And within a week he was out of the hospital walking, talking a bit, urinating, defecating all by himself. His pancreas is damaged 40-50% but he can have a normal life with even half the pancreas. There is no damage to any other vital organ which is very good after an acute attack like this. His lung capacity is actually better than before now.  He has been a chain smoker since 50 years and he has not smoked since over a month now and has no intention of doing so. Like I said, his face is way brighter than before, and he walks twice a day by himself, eats healthy meals, has breakfast and is on the road to full recovery. My mother remarked yesterday that it was impossible to think that we'll all have a lifestyle where  no one smokes in the house and we have have fruits and breakfast on the dinner table. She said life has actually become 180 degrees better.

All this while I chanted for the medicine king buddha to manifest in his life. Leaders told me to read out the gosho" actual proof " to him during our stay and I did. I chanted for all our relatives to see actual proof through this experience. I chanted for my human revolution and to stay calm through it all. We (my sister, me and mom ) had just three small arguments through such high stress period and managed to be  encouraging and always smiling around papa. My sister and brother in law have started chanting and my brother in law already has had an experience.
I determine to keep showing actual proof through this practice and encourage each and everyone who's watching my life.