It is true! I am living the dream! And YOU can too!
I wake up each day glad to be alive, looking forward to events, and knowing, that no matter what confronts me, I have the key to happiness right here in my own living room, right here within my own life.
This year I faced my largest obstacle and chanted like the house was on fire...and it was. Right now I am enjoying the fruits of my labor...and continuing to chant as many hours as I can every day. Everything seems possible. All happiness...all love...all financial fortune...everything I've ever wanted, not just for me, but for those I love, our country and the world.
I've often quoted Josei Toda's quote about experiencing Buddhahood. He says it is as if we are lying on the top of a beautiful mountain and opening our arms and all that we desire coming to us. It is a feeling of freedom...freedom from fear...freedom from the world of hunger...free to be happy.
This is what I've learned:
When we persist in our practice,
chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo...
Use EVERY obstacle and problem
as a springboard to happiness,
Realize "I summoned this storm!
It is my GIFT to change it
and encourage people through the process!
Say "YES ME!" instead of "WHY ME?"
Turn every poison into medicine...
Chant every morning and evening,
Encourage others,
Go to SGI meeting
Study the works of Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Daishonin
and stay close to the heart of our mentor...
Break through our own inner feelings of doubt...
Freedom is OURS!
We all have access to this world of happiness
within our own lives.
Daisaku Ikeda talks about success in life in
For Today and Tomorrow page 131:
"What is success in life?
Who are the truly successful?
There are famous and powerful people
who become pitiful in old age.
There are people who die alone,
feeling empty and desolate inside.
Just what is success?
The English thinker Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote:
"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame,
to maintain this ecstasy,
is success in life."
The person who lives life fully,
glowing with life's energy,
is the person who lives a successful life."
Hello Jamie,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the encouragement. I am a regular reader of your blogs.
I am feeling very depressed from last few months... I have even completed my 1 million diamoku but no results .... I am sort of deadlocked ... how should I do.. can you help?
VERY inspirational ! The "This is what I've learned". Is that from you or Josei Toda? I love it!
ReplyDeleteI've finished my 2nd year as an SgiI Member and being to tackle my sabotaging money karma. I'm feeling so encouraged by my practice. Love your blog. Thank You ! NMRK