As you know, attitude, thought and intention are very important while chanting. Don't get me wrong though, if you can't seem to muster the correct attitude, it is still worthwhile to chant in front of your Gohonzon and have a blank mind, a wandering mind or an emotional soul. These are all fine too. Chanting is never wasted. I think sometimes we may spend too much time trying to be perfect...so the first thing I'm going to say is you don't have to be perfect! Chant anyway!
But here are a few more things that have helped me:
I was asked the question "What do you do when your mind wanders?" and I'll tell you this:
Sometimes I have a lot of things I need "to do" in my brain. It is for this reason that I keep a pen and a pad of paper by me in front of the Gohonzon. That way, when I am thinking "Oh goodness I need to call so and so back" I take the pen and paper and empty my brain of the task. Then it's on the paper and I don't have to think about it any more!
Sometimes I'll also get on a roll with intention and think "Oh man, this is a great prayer I've tapped into...I want to write this one down so I can share it with others and remember to chant it again." and I write that down too.
In the back of my journal I sometimes write the prayers I'm really focusing on right now.
And the prayer that resonates most with me now is the prayer to do my human revolution and raise my life condition. We all know that all change comes from within right? And when we make a fundamental change in our life condition by chanting, our environment changes because of this. It has too. We are connected to our environment in every way. All desires are encompassed in this prayer. ALL DESIRES.
I just picture my life spiraling upwards and everything around me spiraling upwards too.
I also chant to join my spirit and my prayer with Daisaku Ikeda's. He is the President of the SGI as many of you know. He is a man, not a god. He is a man with fierce determination towards peace on this earth and the happiness of all people. I share his determination for peace and happiness. That's why I write this blog. I sincerely want YOU to be happy. I am here to help you and chant for you, and encourage you to chant courageously. Connect with what you TRULY desire. Don't ask for permission to chant for your desires. Just do it! Your desires are the fuel for your absolute happiness. You can do it!!!!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
How I know this chanting works
I am an entirely different person than the Jamie who first began chanting in 1985.
First of all, I really COULD NOT experience or see my own self worth. All I could see was how I did not stack up to the other people around me. I compared myself to others and always came up short. I was frightened of so many things...and whenever my wonderful parents would tell me how great I was I would cry, because I was born with a sadness that could only come from karma...not from any circumstances this lifetime.
What is karma? The sum total of all the causes you've ever made over all the lifetimes you have ever lived. How do you know the results of those causes? Just look at your life at this moment and you will see them. And the beauty of THIS practice is that you can CHANGE ANY of that karma. Right here right now. You don't have to figure it out...all you have to do is chant. Yes! It is that easy!
One good thing about my childhood...and young adulthood...was that I somehow knew in my heart that I could find the release from my suffering. I KNEW this practice had to exist. I KNEW there would be a solution to the unhappiness in my life...and I searched high and low for it. I looked in all the major religions...all the minor ones...various metaphysical teachings (wow - you hardly even HEAR that word anymore) and I kept saying "no, this is not it and I kept looking". Many of them said only the "enlightened" ones could be enlightened and that just made me mad...like there was some key you had to find but they wouldn't give it to you. Not for me. Others said that the CAUSE of my suffering was my desires...like somehow I should just get rid of my desires. But I LOVE MY DESIRES...they make me who I am. I kept searching until I found the one practice that says "earthly desires ARE enlightenment" and you can follow your desires. Bingo.
Now, at this time in my life....I have a deep feeling of the sacred, sweet, beauty and power that is my life. This feeling, this knowledge, goes WAY BEYOND "self esteem". I have faith in myself...I have faith in my life to deliver what I need. I KNOW my worth...and I live my life in happiness...contributing to others...being happy and spreading happiness. I bring it everywhere I go!
I am not confused...or sad...I am CERTAIN now. And incredibly happy. You can be too!
First of all, I really COULD NOT experience or see my own self worth. All I could see was how I did not stack up to the other people around me. I compared myself to others and always came up short. I was frightened of so many things...and whenever my wonderful parents would tell me how great I was I would cry, because I was born with a sadness that could only come from karma...not from any circumstances this lifetime.
What is karma? The sum total of all the causes you've ever made over all the lifetimes you have ever lived. How do you know the results of those causes? Just look at your life at this moment and you will see them. And the beauty of THIS practice is that you can CHANGE ANY of that karma. Right here right now. You don't have to figure it out...all you have to do is chant. Yes! It is that easy!
One good thing about my childhood...and young adulthood...was that I somehow knew in my heart that I could find the release from my suffering. I KNEW this practice had to exist. I KNEW there would be a solution to the unhappiness in my life...and I searched high and low for it. I looked in all the major religions...all the minor ones...various metaphysical teachings (wow - you hardly even HEAR that word anymore) and I kept saying "no, this is not it and I kept looking". Many of them said only the "enlightened" ones could be enlightened and that just made me mad...like there was some key you had to find but they wouldn't give it to you. Not for me. Others said that the CAUSE of my suffering was my desires...like somehow I should just get rid of my desires. But I LOVE MY DESIRES...they make me who I am. I kept searching until I found the one practice that says "earthly desires ARE enlightenment" and you can follow your desires. Bingo.
Now, at this time in my life....I have a deep feeling of the sacred, sweet, beauty and power that is my life. This feeling, this knowledge, goes WAY BEYOND "self esteem". I have faith in myself...I have faith in my life to deliver what I need. I KNOW my worth...and I live my life in happiness...contributing to others...being happy and spreading happiness. I bring it everywhere I go!
I am not confused...or sad...I am CERTAIN now. And incredibly happy. You can be too!
Monday, July 11, 2011
How to Chant for what you want
I've had some more questions about techniques of chanting.
First of all, remember that you are not chanting to something outside your life....you are chanting to your very life itself...and the life of the entire universe. Through chanting Daimoku you have the keys to access the power of the universe. There is no need to beg. There is a need to VOW, and DETERMINE...and to clearly tell your life that you want results from your chanting NOW!!!
That's the power of chanting Daimoku. And please, do not chant under your breath! Chant as if you mean it! You are speaking to the universe...be strong. Take deep breaths, remember to breathe. Breathe from your belly...feel the energy surging through your body. SIT UP STRAIGHT! Be STRONG! You're chanting! Chant strongly.
And a question was asked about doing Gongyo. When you do Gongyo you are speaking the Buddha's words. YOU ARE THE BUDDHA. I believe that is the purpose of doing gongyo...and it puts you in rhythm. It is very important, and once you know how to do it...it's fun!
Do Gongyo and Daimoku every single day - twice a day...and make your list of what you want...and go for it! Take action! You can't just chant, you must also take action. Buddhism is common sense!
If I can achieve my goals - so can you. You have the same tools! Go for it!
First of all, remember that you are not chanting to something outside your life....you are chanting to your very life itself...and the life of the entire universe. Through chanting Daimoku you have the keys to access the power of the universe. There is no need to beg. There is a need to VOW, and DETERMINE...and to clearly tell your life that you want results from your chanting NOW!!!
That's the power of chanting Daimoku. And please, do not chant under your breath! Chant as if you mean it! You are speaking to the universe...be strong. Take deep breaths, remember to breathe. Breathe from your belly...feel the energy surging through your body. SIT UP STRAIGHT! Be STRONG! You're chanting! Chant strongly.
And a question was asked about doing Gongyo. When you do Gongyo you are speaking the Buddha's words. YOU ARE THE BUDDHA. I believe that is the purpose of doing gongyo...and it puts you in rhythm. It is very important, and once you know how to do it...it's fun!
Do Gongyo and Daimoku every single day - twice a day...and make your list of what you want...and go for it! Take action! You can't just chant, you must also take action. Buddhism is common sense!
If I can achieve my goals - so can you. You have the same tools! Go for it!
What do you think about when you chant?
I received this question this morning - it's a very important question.
What do I think about when I chant?
The answer is this:
FOCUS on your desires...your desires FUEL your strongest prayer. All of your desires are good...all are worthwhile. Chant for yourself...chant for others!
I also have a few suggestions for what to chant for as well:
Chant to do your HUMAN REVOLUTION!
Chant to raise your life condition!
I have been chanting this way a lot lately. I know that if my life condition is high....well, do to the interconnectivity of all life (we call this esho funi), then all will be well.
When I do my human revolution I make the change necessary for ALL THE CHANGES I WANT TO SEE IN MY LIFE. We all know that change starts from within. When you chant you use the exact tool you need to make the inner change!
Isn't that exciting?
You hold the keys to your own happiness!
And REMEMBER - chant when you are happy too. Continual chanting every single day is how to build your fortune. Daisaku Ikeda says it's like putting one piece of paper on your desk every day. At first it might not seem like much...but over the years you accumulate so much benefit - all you can do is smile and be happy! Everything just comes out beautifully and you trust the power within your own life like never before!!!
Just like Me!!!
What do I think about when I chant?
The answer is this:
FOCUS on your desires...your desires FUEL your strongest prayer. All of your desires are good...all are worthwhile. Chant for yourself...chant for others!
I also have a few suggestions for what to chant for as well:
Chant to do your HUMAN REVOLUTION!
Chant to raise your life condition!
I have been chanting this way a lot lately. I know that if my life condition is high....well, do to the interconnectivity of all life (we call this esho funi), then all will be well.
When I do my human revolution I make the change necessary for ALL THE CHANGES I WANT TO SEE IN MY LIFE. We all know that change starts from within. When you chant you use the exact tool you need to make the inner change!
Isn't that exciting?
You hold the keys to your own happiness!
And REMEMBER - chant when you are happy too. Continual chanting every single day is how to build your fortune. Daisaku Ikeda says it's like putting one piece of paper on your desk every day. At first it might not seem like much...but over the years you accumulate so much benefit - all you can do is smile and be happy! Everything just comes out beautifully and you trust the power within your own life like never before!!!
Just like Me!!!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Boundless Joy From the law!
Right now I am experiencing the longest string of continual happiness I can ever remember in my life. I have permanently changed my life state.
I have heard of this happening to many other Buddhists.
A dark level of unhappiness has permanently left my life. I have, indeed "raised my life condition".
We talk about this phrase all the time, and what I am experiencing right now is the proof of this phrase.
I'll describe it like this:
When you have a problem or sadness it's as if it is in front of you like a wall. When you "raise your life condition" you elevate yourself so high above that wall, that you look down on it thinking "I can't believe that wall ever loomed so large in my life...look at how tiny it is now."
That deep level of sadness and despair that I have battled my whole life has just gone poof. I have even made it through the usual cycle where I feel it again....and no...I'm still happy.
PERMANENT, FOUNDATIONAL CHANGE IN YOUR STATE OF LIFE IS POSSIBLE...if only you keep going and DON"T GIVE UP. No. Matter. What.
Here I am, once again, living in paradise, paying my own bills, having my own life. I see my boys often and have a great time with them. Ben and Aaron have both spent the night here at different times this week. I have something fun to do every single night...and when I don't, I've been going to yoga and I'm going to start really working out again with a trainer. I'm about to get in the best shape I've ever been.
And I am so content. Some of you remember the reason I began this blog...and my sad, broken heart. Well...there has been the opportunity for that sadness to resurface lately...and it hasn't. I just keep chanting to continue opening my life to the happiness and appreciation I feel in my heart. I am chanting in appreciation for my health, my mind...my self...and of course to make a tremendous contribution at work...for all doors to open...and for all my precious fellow members and friends and YOU!
Everything is possible.
It's a gorgeous summer day here in the Chicago Area...if your'e HERE, enjoy the day.
And wherever you are....enjoy each moment...as the Daishonin says: "Suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy, and continue chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the law."
I am experiencing Boundless joy from the law~~~!!! And so can YOU!!!
I have heard of this happening to many other Buddhists.
A dark level of unhappiness has permanently left my life. I have, indeed "raised my life condition".
We talk about this phrase all the time, and what I am experiencing right now is the proof of this phrase.
I'll describe it like this:
When you have a problem or sadness it's as if it is in front of you like a wall. When you "raise your life condition" you elevate yourself so high above that wall, that you look down on it thinking "I can't believe that wall ever loomed so large in my life...look at how tiny it is now."
That deep level of sadness and despair that I have battled my whole life has just gone poof. I have even made it through the usual cycle where I feel it again....and no...I'm still happy.
PERMANENT, FOUNDATIONAL CHANGE IN YOUR STATE OF LIFE IS POSSIBLE...if only you keep going and DON"T GIVE UP. No. Matter. What.
Here I am, once again, living in paradise, paying my own bills, having my own life. I see my boys often and have a great time with them. Ben and Aaron have both spent the night here at different times this week. I have something fun to do every single night...and when I don't, I've been going to yoga and I'm going to start really working out again with a trainer. I'm about to get in the best shape I've ever been.
And I am so content. Some of you remember the reason I began this blog...and my sad, broken heart. Well...there has been the opportunity for that sadness to resurface lately...and it hasn't. I just keep chanting to continue opening my life to the happiness and appreciation I feel in my heart. I am chanting in appreciation for my health, my mind...my self...and of course to make a tremendous contribution at work...for all doors to open...and for all my precious fellow members and friends and YOU!
Everything is possible.
It's a gorgeous summer day here in the Chicago Area...if your'e HERE, enjoy the day.
And wherever you are....enjoy each moment...as the Daishonin says: "Suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy, and continue chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the law."
I am experiencing Boundless joy from the law~~~!!! And so can YOU!!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fireworks in Paradise
Let me again assure you that anything is possible. If I can sit here today writing you from my patio, at 11:00 at night, feeling totally safe and secure and happy....then there is NOTHING in your life you can't change.
This weekend was a full fourth of july weekend. I got to see my boys here at Versailles swimming...I went to a lovely art fair with a dear friend...I read a book...I chanted...I had my soon to be ex-husband over to swim...and all of us - the whole family...went to watch the fireworks together.
A HAPPY DIVORCE IS POSSIBLE. Not that I am trying to sell you or anyone else on the idea of divorce. no...I believe in HAPPINESS. I know that happiness is possible. I sit here in testament tp happiness.
All those years...I knew it wasn't the right time to split up the family...but I made the bold move to suggest my husband and I live as room mates (a year and a half ago) as we dated other people and prepared to split our lives. Meanwhile every day I could wake up with my son Ben...be there to drive him home from school...be there to remind him of certain things and feed him good food as often as I could...
And in that time I found this lovely place...I found a new job...I had my hip surgery. And now I look at my life and all I can do is chant with appreciation for how lovely it is!
My lifelong friend Eddie came by my apartment yesterday with a cool money tree plant...and he totally rearranged my bedroom so that it is cozy, sexy...and I can fit the chaise lounge I left behind in it.
I chant every morning and evening and want to shout from the rooftops....My VOW has come true. I have health, happiness...and a divorce that inspires everyone!!! My kids are happy...everyone is happy! I knew it could happen if I set my sights to is and chanted about it. I never listened to what anyone said about how it can't happen (and I don't keep those kinds of naysayers around me anyway) My friends are positive people who believe anything is possible...just like YOU my friends. Don't give up. Did deep in your prayer just like I did. Chant to change in anyway possible to make your dreams come true. I DID. And I am SOOOOO happy! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!!
This weekend was a full fourth of july weekend. I got to see my boys here at Versailles swimming...I went to a lovely art fair with a dear friend...I read a book...I chanted...I had my soon to be ex-husband over to swim...and all of us - the whole family...went to watch the fireworks together.
A HAPPY DIVORCE IS POSSIBLE. Not that I am trying to sell you or anyone else on the idea of divorce. no...I believe in HAPPINESS. I know that happiness is possible. I sit here in testament tp happiness.
All those years...I knew it wasn't the right time to split up the family...but I made the bold move to suggest my husband and I live as room mates (a year and a half ago) as we dated other people and prepared to split our lives. Meanwhile every day I could wake up with my son Ben...be there to drive him home from school...be there to remind him of certain things and feed him good food as often as I could...
And in that time I found this lovely place...I found a new job...I had my hip surgery. And now I look at my life and all I can do is chant with appreciation for how lovely it is!
My lifelong friend Eddie came by my apartment yesterday with a cool money tree plant...and he totally rearranged my bedroom so that it is cozy, sexy...and I can fit the chaise lounge I left behind in it.
I chant every morning and evening and want to shout from the rooftops....My VOW has come true. I have health, happiness...and a divorce that inspires everyone!!! My kids are happy...everyone is happy! I knew it could happen if I set my sights to is and chanted about it. I never listened to what anyone said about how it can't happen (and I don't keep those kinds of naysayers around me anyway) My friends are positive people who believe anything is possible...just like YOU my friends. Don't give up. Did deep in your prayer just like I did. Chant to change in anyway possible to make your dreams come true. I DID. And I am SOOOOO happy! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Human Revolution! Bring it on!
Hello! Here I am living in paradise! I am in such a state of bliss and relief in my clean, gorgeous, newly renovated apartment....sitting on my patio, looking out over the pond and birds and trees and sky...thinking of where I lived before this...it was a cool house with lots of wood....but the trees were so close and so big that you couldn't really see the sky, or the sun. Now I have both...and wall to wall carpeting. I lived with cold hardwood for so many years. Not for me. Give me soft, light, warm carpet!!!
Only guess what? I still have more human revolution to do! I still have karma! I still have emotions. Sheesh! But I have really changed the depth of my suffering, I will tell you that. I am generally happy all the time! I have done so much human revolution!
And I am determined to keep going. Some small things have come up...some old issues from my childhood, and some old fears. And you know what? I'm going to sit here in front of my Gohonzon and chant from the bottom of my heart to make the internal change necessary to ensure my COMPLETE and TOTAL victory and happiness! I have such a mission! I must be able to create my life as the Buddha of absolute freedom....with the ability to do all I wish without fear stopping me.
I am chanting to RAISE MY LIFE CONDITION and DO MY HUMAN REVOLUTION!!!
That is the only way to make real and lasting karmic change.
And I am chanting for all of you!
Whatever you are facing ~ remember to STUDY, CHANT, GO TO MEETINGS and CHANT FOR OTHERS TOO!!!! Then you will have all you desire! Go YOU!
Only guess what? I still have more human revolution to do! I still have karma! I still have emotions. Sheesh! But I have really changed the depth of my suffering, I will tell you that. I am generally happy all the time! I have done so much human revolution!
And I am determined to keep going. Some small things have come up...some old issues from my childhood, and some old fears. And you know what? I'm going to sit here in front of my Gohonzon and chant from the bottom of my heart to make the internal change necessary to ensure my COMPLETE and TOTAL victory and happiness! I have such a mission! I must be able to create my life as the Buddha of absolute freedom....with the ability to do all I wish without fear stopping me.
I am chanting to RAISE MY LIFE CONDITION and DO MY HUMAN REVOLUTION!!!
That is the only way to make real and lasting karmic change.
And I am chanting for all of you!
Whatever you are facing ~ remember to STUDY, CHANT, GO TO MEETINGS and CHANT FOR OTHERS TOO!!!! Then you will have all you desire! Go YOU!
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