Mary Lou gets her Gohonzon

Today we had a study meeting/gosho lecture at my house. I studied this material over and over until I felt I had something useful and practical to relate to the members.

And Mary Lou also received her Gohonzon! She and I first began our friendship out of my quest to solve my leg problem through something other than surgery. She helped me quite a bit...but in the end, as you know...there was only one way for me to go.

I have to say I have been so much better since the surgery. I can walk, and walk and walk! Just like I used to!

And I will tell you...my karma is changing. It has to! You can't do a ton of shakubuku and keep your life standing still. Nohow...NO WAY! Something I have been chanting for is coming true. I don't want to spoil it here ...but I will say that I deserve it and I am a happy girl!

I've also been asked to write an online column about Buddhism, and to lead a class at the Chicagoland Wellness Center called (what else?) Chant for Happiness! Yaaayyy!

Aaron and Ben

Today, celebrating Ben's 18th Birthday! Two incredible Buddha Boys!

Recent picture

This was taken of me on Sunday...sending all good wishes YOUR way!

Ben's Birthday and Danielle's Enshrinement Party!

What a day...Ben's 18th birthday...and the same day, in Cloverdale California, Danielle's Enshrinement party for her Gohonzon.

I began the day chanting earnestly and sincerely to free my life and swing up into the happiness I know is so near...yet, whose spirit can be so elusive to me...I am ever aware of the karma I am surmounting...of the battle within. And as I was shopping for Ben's party, and Thanksgiving today...suddenly it was like the bottom just dropped out and the front side of my body was just filled with an ache and my heart was beating so fast. There I was, walking through the grocery store thinking of something special to get for my sweet Mommy...and the physical ache almost bowled me over. It was all I could do to finish shopping and almost run out of the store. I called my sister and she said the same exact thing had happened to her in the grocery store on numerous occasions. Of course it makes sense...here we are planning for a major event - two major events. Ben's 18th birthday and Thanksgiving. And Mom's not here for either of them. Last year Dad was here...and we were busy planning Mom's life celebration. When I got home I cried and cooked and chanted in appreciation for having had a Mom who was so wonderful in my life...and for having the two Buddha boys who bring me so much joy...

For Ben's birthday I made a colorful stir fry, and his favorite spice cake. Then I distributed gold wrapped chocolate coins at everyone's plates. Each of us made a wish for Ben's 18th year with each coin. We had some serious wishes about pursuing his dreams, and getting into a college that brings him joy, and making it through the college apps. And I'll just tell you we ended up having a wild and fun time...I mean, think about it...what would YOU wish an 18 year old boy? And to quote Ben, quoting Forest Gump "That's all I'm going to say about that right now."

Some of our wishes were quite dignified...others...hmmmm, not so much!

And I am thinking tonight of Cloverdale California where Danielle is enshrining her Gohonzon in her Gohonzon room as we speak. Julia came down from Ukiah, and many of Danielle's friends are there. She didn't just have an enshrinement...she had a party! Of course! She is so ready to have meetings, and she's already introducing her friends and studying away. There is just something to be said for being ready. She's known me since Aaron was about one year old. We discovered her in the park by our house in San Francisco. When our Nanny turned out to be someone we couldn't trust...we turned to Danielle and ended up bringing our children to her every weekday for many years. She taught me so much about parenting. She was always so respectful to each of the kids she was watching...no matter how dramatic the moment. She'd calmly get down to eye level with the child and say "use your words" in the most soothing tone of voice.

She MADE play doh for goodness sakes! The kids produced great works of art with her. When I asked her secret to having them create great art she said "It's knowing when to take the paper away." Ah. Very wise!

Over the years Danielle heard the boys and me chanting, saw them grow up, and then Aaron and I made the trek to Cloverdale to stay with her this spring. I hung my own Mom's Gohonzon on her wall and we all chanted together...and I have to ask exactly what happened...but she called me ON MY BIRTHDAY and said she wanted to practice. It was one of the coolest gifts ever!

Go Danielle! I am soooo glad you now share Ben's Birthday with him. You have noooo idea how incredibly great your already wonderful life will become now! As you know "A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward." And you are definitely NO coward!!!!" Congratulations!

What a great Day ~Amidst a string of great days!

Today was just the best. Aaron Michael, my 20 year old son who goes to

the University of Illinois is back for the whole week. That's longer than he was home all summer. We've had a wonderful weekend together...he is so strong and happy. Everything he's wanted to break through is coming to pass...his inner strength just continues to shine brighter and brighter.

Today we spent the day at the Shedd Aquarium. His idea. We had a blast reading the minds of the fish...and reciting an ongoing monologue. I'm quite sure each of the fish really were speaking to us in their own ways. My favorite ones I called the Jamie fish...they were bright orange and pink. I'll see if I can email a picture here. We just laughed our way along. Then we went to Zapatistas ~ our favorite downtown spot right by the SGI culture center for dinner.

The weekend was sparkly...I got the chance to meet several new friends.

And tomorrow ~ the 23rd of November is Benjamin Lee Silver's 18th birthday. I'm going to surprise him in the morning with french toast and the DVD of How to Train Your Dragon. It's a delightful show. Ben loves it! 18 years old...what a concept. All I can remember from being 18 was a lifetime of longing...and feeling completely unfulfilled. I was truly living in the world of hunger. What I would have given to have been able to chant...to have known about it. Aaaaaahhhh.

New Beginnings

Can you feel it...new beginnings in the air? I don't think I am alone...

We are living in exciting times, and you can just feel the excitement in the air...

In President Ikeda's Lecture in Living Buddhism about the Gosho

"On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" he states:

The Chinese character myo of myoho, or mystic Law, has the meaning "to open," as does the Chinese character for the number eight. The curtain has risen on the Soka Gakkai's 80th anniversary year, a year when everything will open up ~ or rather, a year in which we must open the way to victory in all areas.

Open the way with prayer

based on the shared commitment of mentor and disciple!

Open the way with the courage

to forge ahead bravely and victoriously!

Open the way with the wisdom

to perceive the essential truth and changing circumstances!

Open the way with self-assured and confident action!

He points out that the Soka Gakkai's focus is to grow and pioneer new frontiers for Kosen Rufu (world peace) always maintaining a direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin by basing everything on his writings. That's why we read the gosho~the letters he wrote to his followers.

For those new to the blog let me remind you that the advent of Nichiren Daishonin in 1222 AD was foretold by the original Buddha. He said that a Buddha would come along who would reinterpret his writings for the people of the Latter Day of the Law ~ the time in which we live. In 1222 the Daishonin was born in samurai time in Japan. Before he entered the priesthood he made a vow to become the wisest man in Japan...then he went around to all the temples reading the Buddhist scrolls ~ searching to find which of the schools of Buddhism was the lifeblood of the original Buddha ~ which one had the power to transform people's lives. When he began chanting the title of the Buddha's highest teaching (the Lotus Sutra) Myoho Renge Kyo he immediately saw the power in it. He added Nam at the beginning to signify devotion or focus, and he was on his way. Immediately all sorts of persecutions came upon him and he was even more certain that he had found the true teaching.

Now, we study his letters to his followers called the Gosho, literally "honorific writings." These are the lifeblood of the Buddhism we practice. Nicherin found the key to the real, useful, words of Shayamuni Buddha.

The Gosho we are studying this month explains that each of us who practice and chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo will suffer various persecutions as we move our lives forward with the deep prayer for Kosen Rufu...and this is inevitable and meant to be. If we run from our troubles when they occur we will not be able to stand as a strong confident lion, overlooking all that we have accomplished by overcoming the storms that come our way. These storms are NECCESSARY in order to turn "Poison into Medicine" ...or transform any harm or negative consequence into positive outcomes. Everyone who chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo needs to understand that problems are inevitable and important! Only through overcoming a great evil will we know the power of the mystic law. I think each of us has our own great evil in a way. I always saw my weight as the great evil in my life. And now that I have slayed that dragon I do feel so powerful!

What dragon will you slay? Don't turn away when the going gets rough! That's why it is so important to join with your fellow Buddhists! The true practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is done together with your fellow members. If you practice on your own you will not have the lifeblood of the faith!

And We're Off!

It is definitely a new day!

We have now entered the 80th year of the Soka Gakkai's founding. You may know that the number 8 has tremendous significance in Eastern cultures. First of all, if you lay an 8 on its side it is the symbol of eternity...right? 8 also means myo...or to open...and this is the year of opening, and this is the moment of opening for me.

I'm always talking about Human Revolution, and the fact that when you change inside your environment changes to reflect it. Well, get this. All summer long I chased the sun around my yard. We have tall trees surrounding us everywhere, so I was constantly moving my chaise. And at a certain time, because of the trees on the lot next door, the sun just went poof...way too early if you ask me. I would look up at these tall trees and think...if only they weren't blocking my beloved sun...

Sooo, new neighbors bought the house a few weeks ago, and all day on Thursday there were 6 very nice men cutting down trees on the lot next door. They even took away our brush, and the tree that had fallen in our backyard (from the neighbor's lot) AND the dead tree that had fallen in our wood lot. And in return I gave them coffee and cookies and they came inside and played guitar for me. Wonderful!

Yesterday was an awesome day in downtown Chicago. I walked from the train all the way to 111 N. Wabash (Heaven on Seven) and back. Quickly. And my hip was fine. I felt like my old smart and quick self! I was smiling the whole way!

I also was invited to teach chanting classes at the Chicagoland Wellness Center. We're calling the class "Chant for Happiness" just like this blog, and the owner herself is very excited about learning to chant!

And today....drum roll please...I connected with someone I am going to help in her spiritual weight loss journey. OMG it is so much fun ~ I am just pinching myself. This is truly the work that I was born to do. She has already changed her energy around this whole subject and is excited about what lies ahead. We first spoke on Wednesday and I gave her some homework to complete by today...and she had done it all, and was already feeling transformed. So Yaaayy! Here we go!

And my son Aaron came home last night for his first long (9 day) stay since Christmas. He worked at U of I all summer. He is a man now...20 years old...so handsome...so strong and self assured. He has made and is making all the goals he has set for himself. He has had a personal breakthrough at school. Both of my sons are so strong...their life force is flowing. They are chanting and I am chanting for them. I appreciate my life~ I appreciate me life!!