I published this about a month ago and think it's a good time to run it again.
It's a great blog to pass along to encourage people.
I'm celebrating today! All time readership of this blog just went over 60,000! (New number as of today, 8/10/12)
Thank you so much! Thank you for passing the link chantforhappiness.com
on to your fellow members, friends, family and anyone you want to introduce to this practice!
And thank you for passing it on to people who speak languages other than English since there's a translation button on the upper left corner! And thank you so much for writing me! I love knowing what is on your mind and I adore hearing your successes! I am so grateful to you!
What can you accomplish through chanting? Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is bigger than your biggest problem. There was a great experience in a recent World Tribune. A girl with a very heavy heart and lots of troubles went to her first SGI meeting. A member who had been chanting for many years had her hold up her baby finger, and she told her "All your troubles will be as tiny as your baby finger compared to the power of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo." And that's the truth!
What are some examples of the things I have personally seen change for people?
I'll start with my own benefits for you.
There are three categories of "treasures" in Buddhism - the most important is the treasure of the heart:
Here are some Benefits of developing the treasure of the heart:
I have cured in my own life:
Hopelessness
Depression
Anxiety
Sadness
Fear!
Loneliness - I went from having very few friends to having many friends, and to being happier on my own too.
I have resolved every conflict in the workplace and in my personal life very quickly
I have no more need to be eating all the time
I have alleviated the endless hunger for everything, that constant longing for what I cannot have for whatever reason.
I've lost 50 pounds and feel younger and stronger than ever.
I am working on publishing a book that will help many people learn to chant. This, along with the blog you are reading now is my greatest passion....helping people alleviate their suffering.
I have peace of mind! Aaaahhh!
Other treasures of the heart:
One of my members stopped his pattern of constant worrying and never worries anymore.
One member overcame her deep dark depression, and all of the members in my district have greatly alleviated their anxiety.
They face their problems head-on and together we break through them!
I've seen many members get the jobs of their dreams...overcome fear of public speaking...overcome many fears.
The list goes on and on.....
There are also treasures of the storehouse...and things that people want to have and accomplish.
I remember chanting for my first car. I chanted for a reliable car for Kosen Rufu (world peace) so that I could drive people to meetings in San Francisco.
I chanted for a beautiful house to hold Buddhist meetings in...one that would inspire people that anything was possible!
I'll never forget the looks on the movers faces when they arrived at my beautiful kosen rufu home on the hill with the gorgeous view! It was such a contrast from my tiny little apartment on lower Nob Hill (Upper Tenderloin for those in the know) in San Francisco!
And I've chanted for financial benefits. We need money to live and to give us opportunities. Without money I could not have brought my Buddha boys to California this spring! It is not some kind of "sin" to chant for money. Money is necessary.
Oh there are soooo many things... feeling...experiences that you can chant for. And the biggest benefit of all is that as you are chanting for these things you are developing a stronger sense of self...a stronger inner core...a strength so powerful that NO PROBLEM CAN DEFEAT YOU. EVER. That is truly the best benefit.
And remember that when you chant you are not asking anyone for anything...you are drawing power from your own precious life! Go YOU!
I wish I had more time but I have to run out the door to my job!
Please keep writing me. Let me know what you'd like to hear about! Let me know your successes! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo !!!!
