Thanks Mojo for posting this Louisiana sunrise on Facebook this morning.
"Become like the sun.
If you do so, all darkness will be dispelled.
No matter what happens,
live confidently with the conviction that you, yourself are the “sun.”
Of course, in life there are sunny days and cloudy days.
But even on cloudy days, the sun is still there.
Even when you are suffering,
it is vital that you strive to keep the sun shining brightly in your heart."
Daisaku Ikeda
I'm about to sit down and chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for at least an hour, as I do every morning. Maybe more if my voice holds out. Tonight there is a Gohonzon Conferral taking place at my District meeting. I have been chanting for people to receive the Gohonzon with all my heart. Tonight's new member just came to us. She called me and said she'd started practicing on a trip to India and was looking for a meeting. She is full of excitement and unbridled enthusiasm, just like I was when I started practicing (and still am).
When you are chanting for shakubuku it happens. Some of the members I introduced who are still practicing are people I barely knew, or didn't know at all, when I first told them about the practice. Talking to strangers really works. And, as some of us deeply believe, there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met.
So don't worry about tempering your enthusiasm. Share your heart. Go for it. Each of us, one by one are creating ripples of happiness in the entire universe. The response of the person is not the most important thing. The VERY first time I heard of chanting I thought "That's the last thing I need." Luckily I heard about chanting two more times in a short period and chose to go to a meeting. What's important is
When you are chanting for shakubuku it happens. Some of the members I introduced who are still practicing are people I barely knew, or didn't know at all, when I first told them about the practice. Talking to strangers really works. And, as some of us deeply believe, there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met.
So don't worry about tempering your enthusiasm. Share your heart. Go for it. Each of us, one by one are creating ripples of happiness in the entire universe. The response of the person is not the most important thing. The VERY first time I heard of chanting I thought "That's the last thing I need." Luckily I heard about chanting two more times in a short period and chose to go to a meeting. What's important is
Right now I am sitting down to chant for happiness. I am determined to shine and glow with happiness no matter what is going on in my life. No matter what. No, I have not accomplished every single one of my goals, and will always have aspirations, but I can be happy and shine with the light of Daimoku, with the light of the sun, just as I am, right here, today.
My power prayer for today:
I chant to praise my life and feel it's absolute perfection at every moment all day long. I chant in appreciation for my ever-growing health. I chant to have the glowing life-condition of the Buddha I am. I chant to appreciate my life just as it is - with all my heart!
I praise my life for it's strong determination and I chant for everyone who is seeking this practice, everyone who is yearning to be happy, to FIND it right away and begin living a victorious life!
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