For all my new friends, and old ones!

Welcome to the Blog Chantforhappiness!

I am Jamie Lee Silver and I live in the Western suburbs of the Chicago area. I'm about to celebrate my Gohonzon birthday on October 20th! I've been chanting since 1985 and was looking for this practice for many years...my whole life, in fact, before I moved to San Francisco and met Delores Hepburn and Kate Randolph and began an earnest practice then. 

I embraced this practice wholeheartedly from the beginning. I was fortunate enough to have enough suffering in my life that I was really motivated! 

Over the years I have changed everything that I chanted about, and live a life of glorious victory with my mentor Daisaku Ikeda, my SGI members (I'm a District leader here and hold meetings at my house every Wednesday) and all of my blog readers. I live my life to help others discover this Buddhism, and put it to use in their lives. 

I have raised two amazing sons as Buddhists. They are 22 and 19 (almost 20!) and they are discovering more and more of their own power every single moment. Aaron is in his first year of Med School (as many of you know), Ben is in his second year of undergraduate study). Every day living life with them is an honor and benefit for me! They are joining us all in awakening to their Buddha Nature. 

We all know that we can practice Buddhism and we can PRACTICE Buddhism! If we really want to change our sufferings into brilliant sparkling diamonds it requires real work, guts, courage and determination. I write this blog to IGNITE your practice and help you to take it to the highest level where you are vibrant, alive, creating benefit for yourself and others and fulfilling YOUR mission for Kosen Rufu! 

I am available by email, and by phone, (you can email me about that)
 I try to respond to every email even though it may take me a few days. 

There are many posts on this blog you might want to explore...I have been writing it over three years now! Check out the older posts too! 

Please forward this blog to your fellow members and friends and help us to expand our reach for Kosen Rufu! (World Peace founded on respect for life!) You can translate this blog into almost any language using the button at the top left! 

And for today, please realize that every single problem you have - none of them are bigger than Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!! Your prayers for others CHANGE THEIR LIVES! You are that powerful! Your prayers for yourself change your karma in the past and the future for your family...and there is nothing you can't change! Just keep chanting, follow Daisaku Ikeda's guidance, stick close to the lifeblood of faith - the SGI, keep smiling and chanting and crying when you need to, and you will polish your sparkling life! And above all, do not give up! Realize your obstacles are actually tailor made for you to create the best life possible! You are meant to overcome these exact obstacles and become happy. You can chant for whatever you want...your heart is pure and will become more and more and more pure. Do not doubt yourself or your practice. Chant every day - twice a day! You can do it! We can do it together with our mentor !!! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!! Brilliant YOU!

Have a great day! 

If you REALLY are ready to change your karma ... do these things!

I am receiving mail from many of you who are lacking in hope and finding it hard to chant. Pleas read this post and consider it as personal guidance to YOU. YOU can do it. No one else can change your karma and change your life. You are the only one. You have all the tools you need! You are one of the lucky ones! You have found this practice. It's your time to take this practice and make the changes you want...and really become happy! 

I have always said that practicing Buddhism is not easy. It requires courage. It not only requires courage but it helps to BUILD courage and a strong sense of self. When you practice as I've outlined here you will be strong. You can take on ANYTHING. You will be happy. It takes perseverance, but I am here to tell you that you can achieve whatever you want. You can be happier than you ever imagined possible. But it takes work! And your life and happiness is WORTH IT!

There are 5 KEY aspects to a correct practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

And when we are activating them ALL we are all HAPPIER in every possible way. Until you have activated these actions in your life you will never really know your own full power...you will be able to ROAR LIKE A LION. You will have power in your won precious life! 

1. It is important to be in the ORBIT OF FAITH! Attending SGI meetings is crucial. We really can't practice adequately alone. We all act as mirrors for each other. Our meetings serve to deepen our ties to each other and our ties to the world. If there is something you don't like about your meetings, chant to change them! How you feel about your Buddhist meetings is really a reflection of your own karma...life tendencies. If you "look down" on all the people at the meetings, you also "look down" on people everywhere. Have patience with yourself. See if you can summon the Ichinen (will put into action) to make a difference. Many of us have struggled with this at some time. I love being a leader because I infuse each meeting with energy. I chant at least an hour for the success of each meeting...I chant for every member to have a deep and meaningful experience at every meeting - refreshed in faith, more determined, happier!

2. Help others! Try this! Don't take my word for it! Encouraging others in their faith is crucial. And telling others about chanting is crucial too...even just giving them a Nam Myoho Renge card. I give out cards every single day. I have to. I feel I have discovered the key to absolute happiness and it fills me with joy to pass it on to others. I went to the doctor yesterday and the two lovely nurses may come to a meeting soon. I always give cards to people who help me in stores. They are always happy to get them. I love makeup and perfume and love to spend time trying new things. Last night I got a call from someone who I gave a card to TWO years ago at Sephora (a makeup store). She said she now works in the makeup department of another of my favorite stores and she told someone about me, and they had one of my cards too. Last week she came my study meeting, and she plans to come this week too! 

3. Chant every morning and evening. Chanting twice a day PUTS YOUR LIFE IN RHYTHM TO WIN! THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THIS! It sounds hard, but it is really the easy way. Chanting is MUCH HARDER when you do it every once in a while...and your results are less consistent too. You decide how long you will chant. I know that the more effort I put into my daily practice, the harder I work to stay focused, the MORE I connect with the Gohonzon (which is my life itself) the easier the rest of my life goes. I chant a minimum of an hour in my "laboratory of my life" every day. When I began this blog I was chanting a minimum of two hours a day. I often find I chant more when I have a lot of challenges, and the more I chant the more I WANT TO chant. Try it!

4. Study with the intention of deepening your faith.  In Nichiren Buddhism FAITH IS A VERB and a MUSCLE! Chant to strengthen  your faith. Chant to have the kind of benefit that makes you truly believe your own power. And do this again and again! THIS is exercising the muscle of FAITH. It is the power you muster while you are chanting to activate the power of your prayer. Studying is like working the muscle of faith. It will help you produce results. It will strengthen your faith. Studying the Gosho by Nichiren Daishonin, and the words of our mentor, Daisaku Ikeda will help you become happier and healthier and stronger in every way!

5. MAKE A STRONG DETERMINATION. Write it down. Really, writing it down is powerful! What do you want? What do you really want? How do you want to feel? What do you want to make happen? Who do you want to BE? Avoid the tendency to blame your environment. Blaming the people, things, jobs etc. is not useful. Instead, accept that your karma is your karma and vow to change it! That is where your power lies! Not in complaint!Chant to root your suffering out of your life. I visualize the roots of a tree inside my body and literally pull them out in my mind while I am chanting. Chant to expand the power within your own life. Chant to raise your life condition and be the strong Buddha you are meant to be! 

Chant Strongly...Don't Whisper to Your Own Life!

Does it make a difference how loudly you chant? 

Can you chant in a whisper or under your breath? 

Well....you can chant any way you like of course. If there are sleeping babies in the next room or you have some other reason that your chanting with full vigor would be detrimental to someone, then  there are times you need to chant softly. 

But if you are chanting softly for no real reason...maybe you still think chanting is kind of weird, or no one ever told you to chant with strength and vigor - let me be the first! 

When you are chanting you are directly addressing your own life...and through your own life you are connecting with the entire universe. 

Make yourself heard! 

Chant strongly and proudly! 

You are the Lotus Flower rising from the muddy water...spread your petals wide and let your voice fill the room, 
fill the house, 
fill your universe! 

If you really, really, really, can't do this at home, do your best to concentrate on your prayer, and do not worry about anything. You will get the results and the benefits. Do not be shy about telling your life what you need. And remember that true happiness comes not only from achieving what we need, but also by growing, and helping others! You are a Buddha! You deserve exactly what you want. 
And then, if you are in your car alone, (or someplace private) just let 'er rip! 
Chant as loudly and as powerfully as you can. I do not mean scream! I mean tap into your whole body...feel your chant come from deep in your belly and rise through every chakra. 
Sit up as straight as you can and feel the energy flowing! Once you get started you will not want to stop! 

I'm not sure why, and maybe there is some kind of good reason for this, but the more I chant...the more I want to chant! I feel as if I am tapping into a deep reservoir of hope and health, life and vibrancy and possibility...not just for myself, but for my loved ones, my members and all of you. 

We are all so magnificent. We can think of ourselves as standing in front of a huge crowd of people. In front of us is a big heavy door representing the karma that we want to break through and change. All the people behind us are waiting expectantly with hope shining in their eyes for US to open the door, so everyone can flow though into the sunlight, into the warmth. We are so precious and we all have such incredible missions. We need to constantly remind ourselves that ANYTHING we are suffering from, any heartbreak, any hunger for someone or something, any job problems, any family problems...any challenges...they all exist for us to exercise our muscle of faith and become stronger. If those problems weren't there we would not have to chant and we couldn't shine ourselves and polish our lives! 

We need to have gratitude for the very things that make us suffer. I know. I know. Trust me! We can do it! We can do it together, for ourselves and for each other and for the entire planet. Kosen Rufu is everyone's dream...a world of respect for life and a higher vibration of happiness for all. That's our goal. That is what is in our hearts. Remember to chant for whatever you want and attach it to the goal of kosen rufu! I am always chanting to be happy so that I can inspire others that happiness is possible. Our lives have meaning when we can be lifting each other, holding hands, laughing, smiling, sometimes crying and always advancing with each other and with our Mentor, Daisaku Ikeda! 

Comments from readers! Experiences and Questions

Thanks for writing! 
From my readers! The first is an experience, the second is a question and the answer I provided.


Hello Jamie 

I wrote you back in September I just wanted to let you know I continued chanting I haven't had time to keep up with the meetings at the SGI near my house because of work but I still chant at home. My health problem was complete resolved I had surgery and everything went great I went on a trip to Thailand and new Zealand for work and had a great time my divorce is final and me and my ex husband have remained friends. And I'm learning to remember the good times I had with my friend that passed away. I suggest chanting to anyone that will listen because I know it helped me through some really hard times. I just want to tell you thank you for creating your blog , reading your words help me to become a stronger and happier woman.  

Question and answer:


Hi Jamie,

I can't tell you many times your blog has given me hope when I've even considered quitting the practice.

I just graduate and have applied to at least 50 jobs and have been rejected from all of them. I wrote down some goals and even included the salary I would want in my dream job but I feel guilty for being greedy. I chant only 10mins a day and despite practicing for almost a year I haven't really had any victories which makes me wonder what am I doing wrong ? I would appreciate guidance from you in terms of what I should chant for in a job or what more can I do to Improve my practice .
My response:  


Hello!

First of all you are not being greedy to want money in your life, and to have a job that brings you joy. You can envision a life that makes you happy down to every detail. It is your birthright. And now, since you are chanting Nam Myoho REnge Kyo it is time for you to Raise your life condition and focus on what you want. The goal of this practice is to be happy. Having the right job is very key to being happy. 

There are many elements to having a successful practice. They are not all easy but they will result in actual results in your life and a happiness you have never known before. The question you must ask yourself is "How much do I want to be happy?" And if you're wondering if you deserve happiness I will tell you YES YOU DO!!!! 

And if you don't believe me, please chant in praise of your life. You have a noble mission. You can help all those who are suffering...once you achieve happiness yourself. This is a crucial time for you. You must determine to win! 

Here are the aspects of a successful practice:

Chanting as much joyful "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" as possible.

make your list of what you want!

Get your Gohonzon as soon as you can! (The Gohonzon is the scroll inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin of the highest life condition possible. We focus on it while chanting...it is the center of our Buddhist altar. You get it through chanting with the SGI and attending meetings and learning Gongyo which is the recitation of the Lotus Sutra we recite every morning and evening)

Going to SGI meetings at the Buddhist center or in people's homes - (I know it can be difficult to get to meetings. If you cannot attend, keep chanting anyway! Chant to be able to attend!)

Making good Buddhist friends

Studying the Gosho of Nichiren Daishonin and writings of Daisaku Ikeda

Chanting as much Daimoku as you can and doing Gongyo twice a day every day. 

Taking action towards your goal....every action you take is a cause!

Chant for the perfect job for kosen rufu. (World peace) 

Chant to show actual proof of this practice through your own life so that you can inspire others to chant.  

Demand that your life deliver this to you!

You can do it. 

Persevere. 

Challenge Yourself. 

I promise you. It is worth it!!!

What can you accomplish through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo?

I'm celebrating today! All time readership of this blog just went over 50,000! 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. I keep thinking about the experience that was 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 !!!!

Crying and feeling emotional while Chanting?

One reader said she was new to chanting and everything was going along just fine and one day she broke down crying while chanting. 


This is wonderful, and was part of the process of becoming happier, at least for me. I'm not sure if everyone goes through this...but when I started chanting I cried while chanting quite a bit. I think chanting touched a part of me and brought me to a feeling of tremendous relief. I had been looking for the key to my own and other's happiness....and from the moment I started chanting I knew this was it. It was like my body and my heart and my mind all sighed in happiness together. 
And I also cried because chanting touched the deep well of sadness that had always been within my life. I've written about this before. I started this blog because of that sadness deep in my life somewhere. Chanting touches it and helps release it. I think of the tears I shed while chanting as tears toward my golden beautiful karma. I feel they are all creating a happiness that is so wonderful I can't even imagine it now! You will get beyond whatever is troubling you. Suffering may be part of life, but in this practice it is not the GOAL! You will move beyond it. Happiness is the reason we all chant, and we all move closer to it every day...and experience it more and more every moment!


So if you are crying when you chant I say CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Let it out sweet soul! Welcome the feeling of release and the touching of your pain. It's all good! It is all for your good and your happiness. It is part of the process that will release you and make you the happiest person!


Don't think you are doing something wrong. We are all beautiful human beings with feelings. 
Chant to really appreciate your life, your SELF, your own being! Chant to praise your life. Remember when you praise your life, your environment responds and the things that you are really wishing for...the things we all long for...love, recognition...appreciation all come into our lives in brilliant and new ways. Do not give up. Experience and appreciate your emotions and your SELF!!!!!

On the Beach!

Miami Beach this weekend....What an interesting place...
And I'll you one thing I had to relearn this weekend...that if you take a "vacation" from chanting WHILE you're one vacation...well...you might be in for a few surprises! 


I really didn't want to do much chanting on this trip for various reasons. And it was a pretty great trip...only I nearly missed my flight on the way back. And that wasn't really the worst part. It was my emotional reaction to almost missing the flight that was the really hard part...and that proved to me yet again that the greatest fortune is having a high life condition. If you have a high life condition it really doesn't matter what happens. A high life condition comes from chanting enough daimoku! With a high life  condition everything is a snap. No problem really gets you down. If I'd had a higher life condition I would have been less emotional at the airport!


May you always chant enough daimoku that YOU have a high life condition!


Just  a few words of wisdom for a sunny day in March in Chicago. 

The Universal Prayer for Peace

That's what I'm calling it...maybe someone else already called it that too. 


but now is the time I am totally devoting my prayer to the oneness of mentor and disciple. 


As I chant I am picturing Daisaku Ikeda with his hands together chanting...I am imagining what is in his mind and praying to share his feelings...share his heart...share his vision...to feel his deep, deep determination for all the people of this planet....I am chanting this way sincerely, and deeply, and watching our blue blue planet spin in my mind. 


Yesterday in the morning I was chanting this way and picked up my phone to read a headline and found out that the Occupy movement was now taking place in 952 cities all over the world.
I couldn't help but let my tears of joy and relief flow....


It is happening. 


Kosen Rufu is at hand. 


The people are rising up and saying No, not anymore my friend. 


Many of us remember when Al Gore was campaigning and he kept telling us about the richest 1%, and many of us knew what he was talking about... but all of us have felt stuck and uncertain about what to do. 


And now we see it happening. I don't know how all this will turn out. I don't have a crystal ball. 


I do know that for his entire life Daisaku Ikeda has been talking about the people....about how no one is more powerful or more important than the people...and that ultimately...they cannot be stopped. 


I am returning to the Gohonzon right now to pray for the people....for all of us...for all of them...for the 99% for the 1% for us all on our beautiful, dear planet!

More Great Results and coaching on how to chant effectively!

I'll tell you, when you're in the flow of things...you are in the FLOW of things. I sooo want all of you to experience this. And again, it comes from devoting your life to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!


This week was incredible. Besides being my birthday week and having flowers and gifts and love everywhere...it was also an accreditation visit at the college where I work. This is a big deal. The various departments in the school have been preparing for this for months. Mostly I was thinking that it doesn't effect me too much. I am the Director of Community and Alumni Outreach...my main purpose is to join the college with various organizations where our students can get real world experience doing health care related tasks for a few hours at a time. It's fun...I love bringing the students to senior fairs and public health departments. It gives them confidence. I take pictures of them and post them on the bulletin boards....I form partnerships with organizations so we can return again and again. And I didn't think the surveyors would care much about this. 


Not only did they care, but something totally unexpected came out of this. Remember I am the Buddha, right? So I've been pouring daimoku into this program since the day I started....for the program chairs' happiness, for us to work together happily, for the students happiness and success. And I thought the only thing that came out of these types of surveys was bad news, information of things we had to improve on, but no! What happened was my program ended up being written up as OUTSTANDING! The surveyors reported that on my campus Service Learning was overwhelmingly effective and popular among the students. I was given a personal commendation in the final report. I didn't even know this could happen! 


And one of the staff said to me that ripples of my happiness had affected the whole school!


HOW TO CHANT! 


Just focus on what you want. Chant what is in your heart!  


Think about what makes you most passionate. Chant to raise your life condition so that everything will come to you. Chant to realize, at every moment, how precious your life is!!! Chant to share President Ikeda's heart...like it is beating in your own heart. Then read his writings to find out why I would recommend such a thing to you! If you're not connected to the Soka Gakkai...chant to BE connected to the Soka Gakkai, and go to meetings in your area. It is lonely, and impossible to get the same benefits chanting alone. If you can't find the organization close to you...make one by introducing your friends. Be a brave pioneer! But get connected to the SGI somehow!
Chant to have many dear friends in faith and to find people who inspire you. Chant in appreciation for having challenges so you can PROVE this practice. Chant to be an example that this practice works....that you HAVE to have RESULTS so that you can inspire people. Then share your practice with others to the best of your ability. I chant that my members can't NOT share the practice because they are overflowing with benefits!  I carry Nam Myoho Renge Kyo cards with me and hand out cards all day long....
Just keep going...don't give up! Chant twice a day, morning and evening. Perfect your gongyo. All of this comes easily when you are in the rhythm of chanting twice daily. Believe me...it is a joy not a struggle!!! Let me know your results and your challenges! 
You can do it!!!

Dearest Friends and Brothers

Here are my boys Aaron and Ben. This is a golden moment in a wonderful time. Aaron is completing applications for Med School, and Ben is about to enter his first year at Miami of Ohio on a scholarship for running. Aaron and Ben are closer than any brothers I have ever seen. 


When they were little Buddha boys, and even before they were born, I made the determination that there would be no fighting in my house EVER. And I have a vivid memory of a time just after we moved from San Francisco to Chicago in 1999. Ben was 5, Aaron was 8. And I heard a scuffle in the other room. It wasn't severe by most people's standards but it was enough for me to put my Buddha foot down! 
I called them both in front of the Gohonzon and said we are going to chant for 5 minutes. We will chant to love our brother and never fight again. "Okay Mommy" they said and we all chanted together. 
They never fought again. 
Such is the power of the mystic law. 
It is that deep. 
They are incredibly close. 
I had one other rule. "Stop Means Stop." When someone is doing something the other doesn't like...they only have to say stop one time. This actually worked. Seriously. 
And I have heard other mothers say wistfully "If only I had a moment during the day when my boys weren't fighting." and I have seen little boys hurt each other on purpose while in stores or on the street with their mother....and the mother lets it happen because she doesn't think she can stop it. And my heart swells with appreciation for this practice. 
How wonderful to have a practice that solves real life problems!!!!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!! 

A Winning Life! Benefits Everywhere!

Benjamin Silver with his 8th Place Medal

Ben is such an example of the pure Buddhist 

Never Give Up spirit!

Today he placed 8th in Illinois' State Track Meet...after being injured all season and fighting back to run two races to qualify for state...then rocking the competition. 

Ben runs the 3200 meter (2 mile) race. 

He qualified to run in the slower heat (slower race) of the state meet. Here's how it works: he runs as fast as he can...and if his time is faster than the time of anyone in the top nine of the faster heat...then he gets a medal. 

Watching his heat was amazing...we had about 100 of us in the stands screaming "SILVER SILVER SILVER" for him. He could hear us all...we were going crazy! Suddenly he broke away from the pack and came in first with no one even close behind him...you can only imagine how thrilling that was!

Then we had to wait until the next heat...about an hour later...and see if his time beat any of the top nine from that heat. 

It did! 

He came in 8th in the state. 

Wonderful!

This has been a great few months for Ben. He's graduating. He has a girlfriend. He got a scholarship to college. He chants with me as often as he can...and on Wednesday night, in preparation for my moving out, and for him going away to college~ he received his Omomori Gohonzon. It's a smaller version of the Gohonzon I chant to...a portable one...perfect for a dorm room. Aaron, his brother has one too. 

Ben made a powerful cause by accepting the Gohonzon this week!

And he triumphed! 

Go Ben!

Go YOU!!! Achieve YOUR dreams and become incredibly happy! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Whoohoo More great and wonderful benefits!

Aaron and ben just after Ben's race!

 Today, May 28th, 2011 
My son
Benjamin Lee Silver got a medal in the 3200 meter race at the Illinois State Track Meet!!


After a season of injury...he totally blew us away today. 


8th place in Illinois is a major achievement! 
We are one of the fastest (maybe THE fastest) running state in the whole country. 


This was a fabulous way for Ben to end his High School Running Career!!! This fall he starts at Miami University of Ohio on a running scholarship he earned with all his hard work and determination!

Ben and me

Ben is on the left!!!

Results, Results, Results~!

Why do people chant?

To get results!

Last night's meeting was filled with the benefits that people are getting from chanting.

We went around the room and here are some of the reports:

One young man in his twenties looked fantastic...he had been chanting about 4 months, and said he'd had quite a week. A barrage of challenges came his way, and he calmly handles all of them! He was so peaceful and serene. he has the peace of mind that so many long for.

One young woman who turned 20 this year has been chanting about 5 months. She talked about how her Mom's company was just sold and her Mom was worried about keeping her job. She's been chanting for her Mom and things are looking good.

One woman has been chanting about 2 weeks, and she said that last night she had sweet dreams instead of nightmares. I can feel her energy rising and the light returning to her face. She's been suffering from sadness, and I can see she is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I started chanting I was very sad. My prayer was "get me out of this! I've been happy before, I can be happy again!" and very quickly I felt a change in my heart...a lightness...a feeling of hope...of rising from the depths! And I saw results all around me...I got a job...I became much more active and I felt excited about my life again.

Another person talked about a near-miss car accident. She was chanting and knows that chanting helped protect her from harm.

I'm personally all excited because a University in California wants to fly Ben out for a visit...and I am very optimistic about my future! I'm exploring ways to publish my book...Chant for Happiness...based on this blog.

Every person at the discussion meeting had a positive story to tell...everyone was glowing...everyone was showing the power of using this magnificent chant to accomplish their goals and create a happy life.

Discussion meetings a fun...short...a great away to connect. They last an hour and a half. For the first half hour you chant. After that there is open discussion, study and sharing. Friends are made. Lives are changed. You can find your nearest SGI discussion meeting by going to sgi-usa.org and calling the center closest to you. There is no cost and all are welcome! My meeting is in Downers Grove Illinois, USA. Every Wednesday. All are welcome!

Happier every single day

You know, the best thing about this practice is always knowing what to do when you have a problem. It's so simple. Chant. you'll feel better and the circumstances will also change. There is no doubt about it. just keep moving forward and don't give up. So far, there has been nothing in my life that I could not change when I sat and chanted about it...

I created and prospered in great and fun jobs. I served on various boards of directors, I made many income goals...

I gave birth to two great boys. I chanted for them before they were born...I chanted that my prayers would change their karma even before they were born...and that they would have dreams and pursue them...and be strong...and that I would be a good, wise compassionate mother to them...so many other things.

What a joy it has been to be raising them as Buddhists. From their very first years, when they had problems we would chant together, and they learned that there was no problem they could not solve. They solved problems with bullies, they have chanted for tests and grades...they have alleviated bad dreams, they have reached personal goals! How incredibly wonderful it is to have given them this tool. I think continually how I would have chanted to change my problems when I was a sad, sad teenager. I would have loved this practice...I looked for it, and finally I found it at the age of 25. A little too late for high school, but not for the rest of my life!

What else have I chanted about? To have friends. People who know me now cannot imagine me as I used to be...friendless and sad. I sat in front of my altar and cried, I vowed to change in any way necessary to have friends...I chanted for real friends. And here I am now...with so many truly dear friends, all over the world.

I have changed so much...I have lost 70 pounds and am keeping it off. I'd call that a miracle, but because I chant the law of cause and effect, I know it is not a "miracle" because I made the causes to make it happen.

How great it is to live knowing that there is not a problem I can't solve...not a hurt I can't make go away...sure, I am not perfect, and I am still working on some things...but I know I will get there and that makes life so exciting! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!