Happy May 3rd!

Happy Day of Master and Disciple!!

Happy Day to once again renew your faith...set your determinations and together with Daisaku Ikeda and all the members of the Soka Gakkai, work together towards Kosen Rufu (World Peace). 

What is the significance of this day you ask? 

May Third is when Josei Toda, second President of the Soka Gakkai took on the mantle of Kosen Rufu by accepting responsibility for this organization. He was already in a weakened state from having been in prison for refusing to give in to the Japanese Government by not supporting the war effort in WWII. He devoted the rest of his life to teaching and lecturing and leading people to happiness one by one. And later, his disciple, Daisaku Ikeda also took the reigns of Worldwide Kosen Rufu on this date. 

It is a significant time for all of us to say"YES! I will do my OWN Human Revolution. 2012 is a year I will never forget! It is the year I won over my__________(you fill in the blank!) It is the year I got to the core of my suffering and tore it out by the roots! It is the year my environment started reflecting the real, true, diamond-like, brilliant and shining me! It is the year I accomplished________!!!

I will chant with even more strength and regularity (EVERY morning and evening!!!) I will take the opportunity to use the May  contribution campaign as a springboard for my happiness, and the happiness of others! I am determined to win in every aspect of my life!!! YES" 

Please take the opportunity to attend your local SGI meeting commemorating May Third! Find your local center at sgi-usa.org, or search on Soka Gakkai followed by the name of your country! These meetings are fun and inspiring!!!

I start this day with strong prayers of appreciation towards my mentor Daisaku Ikeda, and Josei Toda and Tunesaburo Makiguchi. Without them dedicating their ENTIRE lives to this practice, I would never have encountered this teaching, and I would still be suffering...knowing SOMEHOW there must be a practice I could use to build my own happiness...and continuing to look for it. 

I mean, when you really think about it, the facts just blow you away. Ever since Daisaku Ikeda first encountered Josei Toda, at the age of 19, he has devoted every waking second to ensuring the correct propagation of this law...so that all of us could have the tools to create our own happiness and build this world into a world that respects life itself. It is truly something to appreciate. 

Thank you Daisaku Ikeda. I will do everything in my power to help people find out about this great practice, and to teach people to practice correctly so that their lives will be OVERFLOWING with happiness...like mine is! Like all the members of my District! 


The purpose of this blog, as you know,  is to reach the people who sit at their computers every day and think "The secret to happiness in life must be somewhere on the web!" 
And it is! Chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! Join the Soka Gakkai and make the best friends you have ever had in your life!!! VOW with all your heart to create the happiest of lives so that you can be an example for other people...and it shall be so!!!!

Write out your vision of your life...write out your dreams in narrative form...and make them come true!!!

It is also to reach people who are already practicing and needing that extra boost of energy to keep persevering through the hard times and to NOT GIVE UP! This blog is for YOU!

As Daisaku Ikeda quotes Josei Toda in the May Licing Buddhism, 


"Don't let anything shake you. Just chant with your whole life. Never lose heart. Activate the powerful forces of the universe!"

This May Third I am full of gratitude to YOU, my readers. Thank you for your words of encouragement, and for telling me what this blog means in your life. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt questions and concerns with me. Thank you for encouraging me in my publishing aspirations, and thank you, thank you, thank you, for passing the link to chantforhappiness,com to others. By doing so, you are also making a profound cause for your own life. And thank you for sharing your successes with me. 
You all touch my heart!

What to do when you are in despair

This post is in answer to a question I got from a reader yesterday. 


She asked if I ever feel despair, and what do I do when I sink into that feeling? And the truth is I have come so far and received sooooo many benefits, and yes, every once in a while I do feel the pull of that old sadness I used to feel most of the time. 


The timing of the question was, of course, perfect, because just that day I had formed a new resolve in this area. 


And yes, even Buddhas who have been chanting for many years still get occasional moments of despair!  Every time I feel a moment of sadness I think of all of you, and my district members, and I make a new VOW to my life to overcome my karma (and propensity toward depression) once and for all by ripping it out at the roots. This is Human Revolution. I must pave the way for others, just as YOU are paving the way for others through every one of YOUR FRESH DETERMINATIONS!!


MAY is the perfect time to determine to change the karma that is bringing you down forever! (More about that in tomorrow's blog for May 3rd)


There are several steps I recommend for when you are battling to WIN over your own despair!
1. Chant
2. Call someone who encourages you
3. Make a fresh determination and a new vow
4. Chant again and win! 

Here is my response to the question:


Thank you for asking! 


First of all I woke up Monday feeling sadness and anxiety and chanted for two hours as sincerely as I could. Then I called Kate, my mentor in faith, and she explained to me (again!) that I was going through this pain because I am making so many positive causes, (with the writing of this blog and chanting for you and my members) that my karma has shown itself to me anew so that I can once again determine to root it out forever. 


More than 4000 people read this blog last month! That is 1000 more than the month before...and I want to increase and increase and increase. Please send the link chantforhappiness.com to everyone you can think of!!! If you can think of ways to increase readership and to fulfill my mission (our shared mission) send me an email! If you know of a publisher or agent searching for a bold new voice send them a link to this blog! I am almost ready to send out my book proposal but when I sit down to write I always write this blog first! I appreciate the tips I've received from you so far. My email is silversunsinger@gmail.com.

She also pointed out that at the core of my suffering is that fact that many aspects of my environment reflect my own deep seated feelings of self doubt and not being good enough. She said my environment does not yet truly reflect the amazing and wonderfully shining, worthy person I am. And she attributed that to my deep seated doubts somewhere in my life. (karma, of course). And I have been suffering over some of the same things for my entire life.  She said Human Revolution is HARD because you have to break the ties to your own unhappiness. Those grooves are familiar, and hard to break. Hmmm. That really gave me something to think about! 

I sat down and chanted another hour with FIERCE DETERMINATION to change this karma forever, and to break the ties to my own unhappiness.


As many of you know, my goal is to be a published author with many fine books, audios and videos that help people everyday, to reach everyone who is suffering and looking for a solution to their problems, and to connect them with the Soka Gakkai and President Ikeda!  My goal is to reach out to everyone who is suffering....EVERYONE! And help them learn to chant to be happy! In order to accomplish this goal my life has to be a vibrant, living example that this practice works! I HAVE to achieve happiness in all areas of my life!

I woke up the next morning with a battle going on in my head. Okay!

I chanted: I DEMAND that all my circumstances in life appreciate me!  I DEMAND that my environment reflect who I really am, not my fears or doubts of who I am. I DEMAND that I have the courage to do Human Revolution and to FOREVER break those ties to my own unhappiness. I determined to stop making causes that bring me pain! I determined to make causes that bring me happiness! Not just for me, but for YOU, and for every person who reads this blog and comes to my house for meetings! And for every person I want to encourage. I MUST succeed I told the Gohonzon! (My LIFE) No matter what! 


Later that day as I was driving home I felt those same familiar feelings of sadness, anger and longing. I chose to claim victory at that moment...not wait until I got home in front of the Gohonzon!  I yelled out "I choose to be happy!!! I choose to be happy!" Over and over again. And I chanted. And the feeling lifted! Immediately. 


I will master my mind through my determination and practice. I will master my emotions too! I use the power of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and you can too!

Today I am calm, and I am writing and I am happy. 


If I can raise my precious life out of familiar suffering YOU CAN TOO! If I can change this nagging and familiar karma and suffering, YOU CAN TOO! 


We are all Buddhas and we are all equal. Everyone can summon the faith to change...especially during the month of May! 
May is the month all Soka Gakkai members make new determinations for victory. Please think of what you want and take this wonderful opportunity to change. 
Tomorrow is master and disciple day, May Third! What a great time to redetermine to win!!!!

Another Victory for Aaron

Kosen Rufu emerges!

This is a photo from last Saturday. We traveled to Richmond, Kentucky for the last college track meet Aaron would ever be in. It was a gorgeous, sunny day. The energy was high and the competition was as loving and wonderful as a track meet can be. 

Have you ever experienced the world of competitive running? 


Ever since Aaron got into running 10 years ago, we have met a multitude of gracious, well mannered, kind, supportive and hard working young men and women. I have been impressed by them all. They cheer their team on, and they even cheer on the other team when they see a job well done. 


Sure there is competition, but there is also respect. 


One of my favorite stories of team sportsmanship was when my younger son Ben was leading the pack in a cross country meet. The paths weren't marked well and he began to go down the wrong path. The runner behind him called out "Ben, this way!" and Ben was able to correct his course and ended up winning the race, with the young man who had helped him coming in second. Isn't that outstanding? After the race I thanked him and he said it was no big deal. He wouldn't have felt he won fairly if he'd let Ben go astray. Talk about Good Sportmanship! 


At the Track Nationals for the Illinois Club Team, Aaron and his coach Jake once more led the team to victory by two points. TWO POINTS! It was two days of competition. Two days of yelling and cheering and encouraging each other. Outstanding. Congratulations to the Illinois Track and Field Club Team for a job well done! What a tremendous victory for all of your years of hard work! 


In my experience the world of running has been the world of Kosen Rufu! Imagine a world where we all cheer each other on...we all challenge ourselves to greatness, and all respect each other. That is the world of Kosen Rufu. Everyone self-expressed. Everyone giving their all in a loving, all embracing way. 


Kosen Rufu in miniature. 


I can see it in the entire world in the future. President Ikeda imagines a world of friendly competition to OUT GOOD each other...to make the most difference in the world. Aaaahhh doesn't that sound wonderful? Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Fresh Determinations for a Gloomy Monday Morning!

Happy Monday Morning!


Once more I awaken to a battle in my own life. Once more I hear the voices of fear, and the rattles of worry! And once more I sit down and determine "I will change my karma forever! I will defeat the voices of fear and self doubt in my mind! I am determined to vanquish worry from my mind and my life!
I am a BUDDHA" 


This morning, as I prepare to face my life (by chanting and focusing on the Gohonon)... 


I am determined that I will be the victor...that no excuses will keep me from absolute happiness, and that EVERY ASPECT of my life will encourage others. 


My relationships will continue to grow and increase and I will make more and more inspiring friends - that includes YOU, readers of this blog! 


I will enjoy the most solid financial fortune. In America we have just begun the May contribution campaign...an excellent time to solidify financial fortune by contributing to Kosen Rufu sincerely, from the heart. Wonderful!


My network of readers will continue to grow explosively and EVERY SINGLE PERSON READING THIS BLOG will tap into fresh determinations that will power all of your lives forward in unprecedented ways. You will all become happy and self-fulfilled and sparkling with the vibrant energy of KNOWing that you can change anything and become your truest and best self! You will know yourselves as the true Buddhas you are!!! 


My prayer is for You to joyfully embrace your fellow SGI members and President Ikeda's spirit, and move together securing your happiness, and the happiness of others. 


And you will tell others about this practice because you feel compelled to do so by your own sparkling lives! 


I am determined to reach more and more people who are suffering like I was...who knew there had to be a solution to their problems, if only they could find out about that practice! 


This is the reason for chantforhappiness.com!


I am so grateful to all of you for forwarding this blog to others and helping me to fulfill my mission in life!


A few days ago I posted a blog on how to chant for the first time. 
Was that helpful? Would you forward that to your friends who want to chant for the first time? Do you have any suggestions for improving that post? I am open to hearing the words of my wise readers. 


I hope you are filled with fresh determinations today, and you have an incredible, determined and fresh time in front of your Gohonzon! 

Why do bad things happen? A Good Question...

I received a question from someone who is new to chanting. She wondered why after chanting a few days some obstacles occurred. When the obstacles happened she stopped chanting for a few days. Then she started chanting again, and more less-than-positive things occurred. So she stopped chanting again. And on and on...


I'll bet there are other readers who are familiar with this pattern and who know the answer to this question!


When you chant Daimoku you are reaching into the depth of your life to purify it and create the most beautiful possible life. You are also stirring up the karma that has always been within your life. If you stay with the practice, and chant consistently, you will attain a state of life beyond your wildest dreams. You will have a level of contentment and come to know your purpose in being alive. You will look at your problems as opportunities for greater growth and happiness. But first you have to deepen your understanding of the practice. 


When you chant, you naturally draw from your life the karma that needs to be changed. Otherwise you wouldn't have the chance to change it! If you've studied the Gosho you see that chanting correctly does bring problems into a closer focus so you can change that karma once and for all. 


During my first few years of chanting I took a job with the worst boss ever. Really. He swore at the people who worked for him (the beautiful woman he LIVED with) and was abusive to the whole staff. It was horrible. Instead of lamenting my fate and crying "Chanting is not working!" I saw it as the opportunity to change this karma FOREVER. Every day I chanted a solid hour in the morning that NEVER EVER again would I experience an abusive boss! I chanted for his happiness, and the happiness of everyone involved. At a certain point I was able to stop his abusive ways by speaking up when he was yelling. It took courage. It took daimoku. And I've never had an abusive boss since then. I changed that karma then and there by facing it down and roaring Nam Myoho Renge Kyo like the powerful woman I am!


I understood that this challenge was an opportunity to change my bad karma. And always remember, karma is in your life, but you don't have to think of it as your fault. That karma is there from many lifetimes of living, but feeling guilty about it is just not useful. Feeling responsible for it, and vowing to change it will give you POWER.


Just chant to change the karma of anything that is bothering you. You don't have to figure it out! Just make a vow and determination to end this karma forever. See all that happens to you, both good and bad, as the answer to your prayer and don't stop chanting even for a day. During the difficult times chant even harder and what you've been encountering eventually be gone forever. It does not happen overnight. But it does happen!!!!


THAT is the fortune I talk about.  That happiness can be yours. But don't run scared when bad things happen. No Roar like the powerful lion you are!
"Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"
In this case sickness can be taken as any kind of suffering. ROAR it out of your life forever!!! 

Do you Have to Write Your List of Goals?

Hello!


I received a question asking if goals really had to be written down. 


The answer is no. 


But it really works for me! 


I have been writing my goals for years, and I love having them to focus on when I run out of steam while I'm chanting. I have had so many goals that have come true...and I love looking back on them and documenting my life.  Writing goals has always worked for me. 


Did Shakyamuni advise writing your goals? I don't think so. 
Did Nichiren Daishonin? I'm not sure, but I haven't read every word he's written or said. 


Writing goals and determinations has always worked for me, so I continue to do it, and advise other people to do it. Like so many other aspects of this practice ~ it is entirely up to you!


When I write goals I draw a picture of how I want my life to be. My goals are written in narrative format as if they have already happened. Reading them inspires me! 


The most important thing is to chant...and keep chanting...and keep chanting. 


I'm in the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky today taking a break from watching Aaron run in his last college track meet. The weather is beautiful even though the forecast called for rain. 
My Dad and Stepmom Janice are here and I am enjoying every moment of this glorious day. 


I love answering your questions and I love when you email me. 
What a wonderful life I have. 
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!!!

How to be Happy! How to Chant for the first time. A great post to share with first time chanters.

(I had a request from a reader to teach her how to chant - this is my response, and part of the book I'm writing. Please forward this to anyone you'd like to introduce to this amazing practice!)

Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!

Here you will learn how to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

First of all make a list of what you really want in life. Take a new look at your desires and write them down.  Dream big. What do you really want? What do you want for yourself? What do you want for others? What do you want for the world? Make a list. There is no such thing as a “bad” desire as long as you wish no harm on others. Many Buddhists began chanting with desires that later turned into other desires. Don’t worry about it. Chant for what is really in your heart. Be true to yourself. 

I suggest having some sort of journal to write in. Writing in a journal helps you become aware of your progress and benefits.

Choose a place to chant comfortably. You’ll want to sit in a comfortable chair. Where would you feel most at ease chanting out loud? It is helpful to have something on the wall to focus on. It's helpful to rest your eyes on something slightly above eye level. It can be anything. When I first started chanting in my little two room apartment in San Francisco, I sat on the mattress on the floor and gazed up at the moon in a poster of Mono Lake. Choose something soothing to rest your eyes on. I find it helpful to have a table nearby for my tea, and other things I like to have close when I chant. You may want to put a little table up as an altar, but you don’t need that to begin. 

Write the words Nam Myoho Renge Kyo on a piece of paper (or use the card enclosed in this book). The words are pronounced as follows: 

Nahm, rhymes with Mom, 

meeyohoh, with three long vowels, 

rain gay, 

key oh. 

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 

Nahm Meeyohoh Rain Gay Key Oh

Hold your hands with the palms facing in and touching each other in front of your heart. Sit with your back as straight as possible and say the words over and over and over again. 

You do not have to concentrate about what is in your mind at first. Just say the words. Breathe whenever you have to for as long as you like. See if you can chant for a few minutes, then a few minutes more. Chant for as long as you can!  

The rhythm should sound like a train moving, or horses running. There should be some energy to it. You can chant as fast or as slow as you wish. Speed of chanting is up to you. 

If you want to hear how it sounds you can go to the top left corner of this blog and chant with me. I begin slowly and speed up with more energy. 

See how it makes you feel. Can you chant for a little longer? Maybe even a little longer than that. Can you get to the point where you don’t have to think about the words, but can actually think about what you want? It may take a little time. Naturally you will begin to chant for what you want. You’ll see. 

When you are finished chanting you can write in your journal.

Start by writing an assessment of your life right now. What’s going well, what you’d like to improve on. Then write how you felt before chanting and after chanting. In your journal set a goal for how much you want to chant every day.  When I started, I could only chant five minutes a day in the morning and five minutes in the evening. I had a timer next to me and I’m sure there were times I stopped before I’d even reached five minutes! You will build up momentum! Commit to chant twice a day every day. Keep your goals in mind and you’ll remember your reasons for chanting! 

These words and this vibration go deep into the heart of your life itself. They summon forth your highest wisdom, vitality and sense of purpose. They also uproot the karma that is making you suffer, and give you the opportunity to change this karma forever. You will still have challenges and problems in life when you chant...but eventually you will see them as the opportunities they are. Problems are the FUEL you need to catapult your life into a life of happiness and joy. You have begun a journey to uncover the true happiness that exists in your shining Buddha life. Congratulations!
Also - make sure to search on Soka Gakkai followed by whatever country you live in. This site will help you to connect with people who will be happy to help you learn to chant, overcome your problems, and reveal your brilliant, wonderful self!  Fellow Soka Gakka members love to help each other. 
and go to IKEDAQUOTES.org to read Daisaku Ikeda's words. He is lighting the way for us all...and for YOU!