Life is Like a Sea Voyage - By Daisaku Ikeda

"Life is like a sea voyage. 
We each need to open up our own course in life 
with the strengths of our convictions, 
unperturbed by the crashing breakers 
of life's stormy seas. 
The fiercer the tempest rages, 
the more we need to rouse our own fighting spirit 
and man the tiller 
with all our strength and skill crying 
"Bring it on!"
Through this type of arduous struggle 
we can forge the practical wisdom 
to triumph consistently 
and as victorious champions, 
to create history." 

Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism Day by Day, page 318

What a great quote! BRING IT ON! 
How often do we have that feeling, for real, in life? 

When we are chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every day, twice a day we build up resilience, wisdom and strength. When life hits us we bounce back stronger, not weaker. 

I've been laying low for awhile because I've fallen twice over the last month. Boy, is that my family karma, I tell you! My Mom and my Aunt were both plagued with falling. I have more compassion than ever for them. Anyone can fall. The first time I fell on some watery steps during hurricane Hermine, and last week I twisted my foot walking on the sand. It's giving me lots of time to swim, write and read!

I'm chanting for my Mom and her sister, my Aunt. I'm reflecting on how frustrated I got with them sometimes, and apologizing in my heart. I'm chanting to change this karma of falling forever, and be healthier than ever. 

I'm living in my personal paradise in Florida, learning about it, making friends, chanting abundant daimoku. As I'm writing this I hear the waves coming in...such a beautiful sound! 

In a few moments the presidential debate will be on. 
I'm chanting for this country...for the world...for wisdom to prevail. WISDOM. JUSTICE. WISDOM! 

PowerPrayer ~ Fresh Determination ~ For Going from Victim to Victor!

This PowerPrayer ~ Fresh Determination
has been inspired by the Gosho Study from the August of 2013 Living Buddhism "The Three Obstacles and Four Devils" written in November 1277 to the youngest Ikegami brother, Munenega, after his brother had been disowned by his father for his faith in Nichiren Buddhism. 
It is a writing I use to refresh my faith over and over. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

President Ikeda's lecture from the August 2013 

Living Buddhism on this Gosho includes these words: 

"Though we speak of the "three obstacles and four devils" appearing, no one wishes to have to face adversity. 
That is surely a natural human reaction. 
But Nichiren says that 
the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils 
is a source of JOY. 
How could that be? 
It doesn't seem possible. 
But it is, in fact, 
by overcoming the steep hills and inclines of obstacles 
we can forge our lives 
and ascend the summit of Buddhahood, 
where we can savor the sublime vista of 
eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

He goes on to say:

"We need to "own" them (our obstacles) as something we ourselves have summoned up...we are in charge, we are the protagonists...the struggle against the three obstacles and four devils is indeed a great joy."

President Ikeda goes on to say:
"As Nichiren Daishonin writes: "When a tiger roars, gales blow; when a dragon intones, clouds gather" (The Workings of Brahma and Shakra," WND-1, 799) When we adopt this attitude ~ "I summoned this storm!" ~ our hearts will be filled with the bright sense of hope and purpose." (All quotes from the 2013 August Living Buddhism, pages 21, 22) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~According to Daisaku Ikeda, we summon the exact set of obstacles we need to springboard our lives to the next level of practice and happiness. 
We will be better off for them.  
We summoned these storms. 

Realizing this takes our lives from Victim to Victory! This simple change in perspective brings incredible power to our Daimoku. When we are chanting we can address our lives and roar like the lions (Buddhas!) we are. What follows is a PowerPrayer I offer you to reclaim your life and move from Victim to Victor. As always, I offer you my writings from my heart, not as an official SGI representative, although I love the organization and encourage everyone to participate - if you are not yet a member please use this link to connect: sgi-usa.org 

PowerPrayer  ~ Fresh Determination

For Moving 

From Victim to VICTOR 

You may want to read this before chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and let the words and gently flow in and out of your mind while chanting. It's not a replacement for Nam-myoho-rnge-kyo...it's a focusing tool ~ that's what a PowerPrayer - A Fresh Determination is...

by Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com. 

LIFE !! 
I get it! 
I SUMMONED THIS STORM and I can VANQUISH IT! 
I summoned this storm and I will WIN over it !
I am a Buddha - 
I feel Nam-myoho-renge-kyo throughout my whole body - 
in every cell. I will prove the power of the Gohonzon, the Power of my own life right here, right now! My own sufferings will turn into my happiness and I inspire others and create kosen-rufu through my own life. 

Shoten Zenjin (protective forces of the universe within all life) 
Back me up! 
Support this votary of the Lotus Sutra in these ways:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I vow to PROVE the POWER of the MYSTIC LAW 
through my own victories - 
so I can encourage everyone that 
the IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE!
I will NOW raise my life condition to a level I have never before experienced. 
I see through the eyes of the Buddha, 
I feel with the heart of the Buddha
I AM the Buddha! 
The universe exists within ME! 
I am CLAIMING power over my own life. 
No more complaining for me! 
No More "Woe is me!" 
NO! 
Starting today ~ with this Daimoku ~ 
I bring forth all the wisdom I need
                             to know what I need to do - 
All the courage I need ~ 
                             as I boldly take the right action 
All the perfect timing I need ~ 
                             to accomplish what I want
And the People and Resources I need ~ 
                             ALL appear right now! 
I am a powerful being waging a powerful war against the fundamental darkness inherent in all of life and I will WIN. 
Starting today 
I will win in:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more information about 
SGI Buddhism please go to SGI-USA.org

Write me your victories at Chantforhappiness@gmail.com! 

PowerPrayer ~ Fresh Determination ~ For Going from Victim to Victor!

This PowerPrayer ~ Fresh Determination
has been inspired by the Gosho Study from the August of 2013 Living Buddhism "The Three Obstacles and Four Devils" written in November 1277 to the youngest Ikegami brother, Munenega, after his brother had been disowned by his father for his faith in Nichiren Buddhism. 
It is a writing I use to refresh my faith over and over. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

President Ikeda's lecture from the August 2013 

Living Buddhism on this Gosho includes these words: 

"Though we speak of the "three obstacles and four devils" appearing, no one wishes to have to face adversity. 
That is surely a natural human reaction. 
But Nichiren says that 
the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils 
is a source of JOY. 
How could that be? 
It doesn't seem possible. 
But it is, in fact, 
by overcoming the steep hills and inclines of obstacles 
we can forge our lives 
and ascend the summit of Buddhahood, 
where we can savor the sublime vista of 
eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

He goes on to say:

"We need to "own" them (our obstacles) as something we ourselves have summoned up...we are in charge, we are the protagonists...the struggle against the three obstacles and four devils is indeed a great joy."

President Ikeda goes on to say:
"As Nichiren Daishonin writes: "When a tiger roars, gales blow; when a dragon intones, clouds gather" (The Workings of Brahma and Shakra," WND-1, 799) When we adopt this attitude ~ "I summoned this storm!" ~ our hearts will be filled with the bright sense of hope and purpose." (All quotes from the 2013 August Living Buddhism, pages 21, 22) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~According to Daisaku Ikeda, we summon the exact set of obstacles we need to springboard our lives to the next level of practice and happiness. 
We will be better off for them.  
We summoned these storms. 

Realizing this takes our lives from Victim to Victory! This simple change in perspective brings incredible power to our Daimoku. When we are chanting we can address our lives and roar like the lions (Buddhas!) we are. What follows is a PowerPrayer I offer you to reclaim your life and move from Victim to Victor. As always, I offer you my writings from my heart, not as an official SGI representative, although I love the organization and encourage everyone to participate - if you are not yet a member please use this link to connect: sgi-usa.org 

PowerPrayer  ~ Fresh Determination

For Moving 

From Victim to VICTOR 

You may want to read this before chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and let the words and gently flow in and out of your mind while chanting. It's not a replacement for Nam-myoho-rnge-kyo...it's a focusing tool ~ that's what a PowerPrayer - A Fresh Determination is...

by Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com. 

LIFE !! 
I get it! 
I SUMMONED THIS STORM and I can VANQUISH IT! 
I summoned this storm and I will WIN over it !
I am a Buddha - 
I feel Nam-myoho-renge-kyo throughout my whole body - 
in every cell. I will prove the power of the Gohonzon, the Power of my own life right here, right now! My own sufferings will turn into my happiness and I inspire others and create kosen-rufu through my own life. 

Shoten Zenjin (protective forces of the universe within all life) 
Back me up! 
Support this votary of the Lotus Sutra in these ways:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I vow to PROVE the POWER of the MYSTIC LAW 
through my own victories - 
so I can encourage everyone that 
the IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE!
I will NOW raise my life condition to a level I have never before experienced. 
I see through the eyes of the Buddha, 
I feel with the heart of the Buddha
I AM the Buddha! 
The universe exists within ME! 
I am CLAIMING power over my own life. 
No more complaining for me! 
No More "Woe is me!" 
NO! 
Starting today ~ with this Daimoku ~ 
I bring forth all the wisdom I need
                             to know what I need to do - 
All the courage I need ~ 
                             as I boldly take the right action 
All the perfect timing I need ~ 
                             to accomplish what I want
And the People and Resources I need ~ 
                             ALL appear right now! 
I am a powerful being waging a powerful war against the fundamental darkness inherent in all of life and I will WIN. 
Starting today 
I will win in:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more information about 
SGI Buddhism please go to SGI-USA.org

Write me your victories at Chantforhappiness@gmail.com! 

PowerPrayer - (Fresh Determination) to go from Hope-Less to Hope-Full Right Now!

"No matter how hopeless or bleak things appear, the moment always comes when suddenly our spirit revives, and hope is reborn. That is why we must never give up."

"Hope is the secret to a robust life force."

"When we possess the treasure of hope, it gives rise to other treasures, too. Hope draws forth our inner potential and strength. Hope is a magic weapon that enables us to make our dreams come true."

All three quotes are by Daisaku Ikeda from Ikedaquotes.org

How is is possible to go from Hopelessness to Hopefulness again and again? For me the key is found in Daimoku. 

The other day I posted a blog where I said I'd chanted for two or three hours...I just kept chanting, and kind of lost track. I didn't want to stop chanting. 

A reader wrote in and asked "How do you do this? I find it hard to chant for 10 minutes." And I understand that. Really I do. 

As I've said before, I am a fellow Bodhisattva of the Earth. Next month I'll go into my 32nd year of practicing within the beloved SGI organization. I don't speak for the SGI. I only offer my life as an example of what is possible when you chant. In that light, I'll share with you my own techniques for overcoming hopelessness.

First of all, what is hopelessness...nothing but fundamental darkness, right? So when I'm feeling hopeless about anything, I know I need to really focus on building my life-condition through chanting. 

Here is a PowerPrayer I am currently using. PowerPrayers are Fresh Determinations. They are meant to be read before chanting to fuel some thoughts while chanting...they are not a prescription...just some fresh ideas!

PowerPrayer for Moving from Hopelessness to Hopefulness:By Jamie Lee Silver of ChantforHappiness.com 

Life! 

Starting Right Now, With this daimoku, 

I bring the light of hope into my life! 

I feel every cell in my body responding to this bright presence as I realize YES I can accomplish my dreams. 

I CAN and I AM changing my karma this very second. With every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I am chanting! 

Even though it feels like it may be impossible...it's NOT. Everything I dream can come true! 

I will not be defeated. Fundamental darkness, I see you for what you are, and you are no match for me! I will chant you away, over and over again. I don't care how many times you rise up to make me feel hopeless...I WILL WIN! I WILL WIN because I am a noble Bodhisattva of the Earth. I will win because I am chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo right this very second. I will win! I will win for myself and I will win to be an example for others that ANYTHING is possible. 

I will show, through my own life, that Kosen Rufu is possible...that a world of respect for all is possible. I will win over my own inner darkness so the world will become a brighter place! 

I chant now for ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

(fill in the names of the people you are chanting for)

I chant for these outcomes!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I chant to see my life clearly, realize my shortcomings and change them. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

I chant for the world, my country, every member of my family, every person I love, every person I feel any kind of conflict with - I chant for their happiness! 

I chant for kosen-rufu to happen through me...starting right here! Right Now! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(And a special note - sometimes while I am chanting, I wonder whether it's making a difference. Sometimes I do not immediately feel relief or refreshment. Sometimes chanting does feel like work. Do it anyway! The relief will come. The changes will come!) 

Tonight I am telling the story of my son Ben at A Night of Remembrance for suicide loss survivors here on the beach, at an event. As you can imagine...it's an emotional time. AND it is the answer to my prayers. I'm bringing along copies of my book, and will have sign ups for seminars I'm giving called "From Grief to Relief." It's all happening. No wonder fundamental darkness is around to remind me to chant sincerely. And one more thing: put that darned cell phone away while chanting!   

Changing Karma Into Mission! RIght Here RIght Now!

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"Human revolution 
means turning our lives in a positive direction, 
from unhappiness to happiness. 
It is the transformation 
of the tendency 
to allow ourselves to be swept along by force of habit 
or to feel ourselves at the mercy of the whims of destiny. 
The incredible power to do this already exists inside us."

Daisaku Ikeda, Ikedaquotes.org 
under "Human Revolution"

Greetings my friends! Tomorrow I'll be back on the beach after a short stay in Asheville, North Carolina seeing my Dad. 

Today I chanted for 2 or 3 hours (I lost count). Once I started chanting I did not want to stop. I am once again drawing a line in the sand in my life. 

That's the beauty of this practice...being able to say "No to this karma!" Or "Yes to this karma!" Both are powerful. 

Recently I've become aware of some things I want to change forever. 

Unrequited love is one of them.  
It's one of those things that has been a part of my life as long as I can remember, and I share this with many, many of you. 

You write me and say "He/she used to like me and doesn't like me any more and I am still in love with him/her, how can I get him back?" 

Believe me, I understand. How I understand. 

So I'm chanting to change this karma forever...for my Mom, who suffered from it, for myself, who has experienced it...for my descendants...and for the whole world. 

I do believe real...real love is possible, and attainable. Yes! 

So I've launched a Daimoku campaign to change this karma. 

AND, of course, I am chanting for America and for the world...that we can forever vanquish greed, anger and stupidity. I'm chanting to change it in my life and in the world...these are trying times! 

I've written new active goals that I will fulfill, and I am chanting not just for myself, but to be an example for others. And, as my friend Kate always says "No matter how many times this karma rears its ugly head, just continue to say "I will win over you! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is stronger than you! I am roaring like I lion and I will defeat you! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!!"  

We can take any poison and turn it into medicine. Nothing is impossible! Nothing! ROOOOAAAARRRR! 

The Real Key to Peace on Earth, by Daisaku Ikeda

"Efforts to reach out
and engage others in dialogue
with the aim of fostering mutual understanding
and bringing people closer together
may seem ordinary and unexciting, 
but they in fact constitute a bold and daring challenge
to create a new era of human civilization."

Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhism Day by Day, page 299

This quote embodies our lives as Bodhisattvas of the earth...people who are actively engaged in creating their own happiness, through chanting the name of the Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the deep determination to create a better world for all. We are all dancing together on this earth and throughout the universe. 

I write this blog, as always, to encourage you that anything is possible. This morning I received an email asking if I was  disappointed when my son Ben died last summer. And the answer is, of course I was. I am a normal human being and would much rather my son had stayed alive...although I would not have wanted his suffering to be prolonged. His brain was sick. He was suffering. Did I want him to die? No. But, as long as he DID, that gives me the opportunity to embrace my life and my practice in a whole new way...with the determination to turn the biggest poison into medicine. That is the way of the Bodhisattva

Because of Ben, I've had to deepen my faith in all possible ways. I HAD to turn poison into medicine...not just for myself, but for my friends and family and my beloved blog readers.  

And look at me now. I'm planning a trip back to Chicago from Florida for Hope For The Day's Health Fair in the Thompson Center so I can sign my books there. And that same week (the last week in October) we will have a ribbon cutting in NAMI DuPage's office for the Cafe that Ben's Memorial Mile is contributing to. I know Ben would want to help in career development, and that's what the cafe, and its new career advising service will do. 

Right now I'm writing programs to help others who are suffering from grief, and looking for grants to support this work through Hope For the Day. It all comes down to the quote by Daisaku Ikeda above...it all comes down to heart-to-heart connection, and mutual understanding. 

Mutual connection makes our lives worth living...builds understanding and bridges of love...
May all of you build a bridge of love today!

Sending love from Asheville, North Carolina where I'm on a brief trip with my sister visiting my Dad and Janis. 

Lighting the Lamp of Hope from Florida! Turning Poison into Medicine

Hello from the Beach!
Every day I chant in appreciation for my life. Every day I tune into the Gohonzon (my life) as I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, continually putting one foot in front of the other! 
We are so fortunate, we who chant the name of the Mystic Law of Life ! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Whatever it is that has you challenged - just do not give up hope. 

For many years I have cherished the wish of speaking to audiences around the world...of sharing this practice and giving the wisdom I have learned from my life to others - to help them be happy. As many of you know, I have given a variety of speeches based on my research into the power of words and the latest news that life gets better as we get older. They have been the highlight of my career so far. 

And now, because of Ben...because my sweet boy got sick from schizophrenia and because the disease led him to take his life and because through this faith I believe life is eternal and within my realm of contact, I have written a book that is being published by an organization called Hope for the Day (a 501(c)(3) based in Chicago) and now I will be able to help and inspire other parents who have suffered this great loss, and anyone who wants to connect with their loved ones. 

Originally I called this book "Our Forever Ben," and I published copies for Ben's Memorial Mile in June. Now the working title is "Always With You, How to have a written conversation with your loved one in spirit." This name may change. Do you have some input for me? Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com.

And the great benefit is this: Hope for the Day will be publishing it, and then I will do ongoing programming for them telling my story and helping people with their own loss. I could be speaking at large conferences - helping many people.

Can you imagine how exciting this is for me? All those years of chanting to do kosen-rufu through my speaking and writing are really coming true in a broader scale. Hope for the Day will be helping me with media kits and all that goes along with public speaking. And I've been preparing for this my whole life. 

Whatever you are doing, whatever is challenging you - just keep chanting, keep reading and engraving the Gosho into your life, keep embracing the words of Daisaku Ikeda and stick with your fellow members in faith! Everything is possible. If I can do this - turn this immense poison into immense benefit - you can do anything!!!