Wonderful Benefit! A Poem from my son Ben

My wonderful son is about to turn twenty...and is going through a transformation in how he sees his life...and how he sees his place in life. I've posted about my sons before...Aaron and Ben. I have adored every moment of being their mother. I have loved playing with them, chanting with them, watching them run, and encouraging them with all my heart. I raised my sons as Buddhists...teaching them to chant for everything...to end bad dreams, to solve relationship problems, to stop bullies. We have chanted together since they were babies. I believe in them...I believe in their happiness and their hearts! Here is Ben's heartfelt poem he gave to me on last week in honor of my birthday in September. Oh thank you Ben!!

Mother Oh Mother

I've been wandering around 

Wasting my youth in a stupor

A sheet of incomplete understanding was pulled over my eyes

Only to disguise

What I could not see

Always alone and always right

I searched and searched for people to help legitimize

My feelings of knowing everything

Though I could not see, this was my irrational belief 

I judged and I judged

And I judged the judgers who judged me

I ignored those loving souls

By thinking they were more people that I had to beat

I ignored those around me 

Who loved me 

Despite me closing them off

And mother oh mother I ignored you most of all

I thought I was so separate

In a different world that was untouchable

But now that our worlds have collided I see I am no different at all

Just another soul, searching, sometimes loitering

I thought I had to figure everything out myself

Mother oh mother 

You've always been so warm

You welcomed me to this world 

To you I was a whole world in your arms

You've understood my journey from the very beginning

You created a self-fulfilling prophecy inside of me

You held me so tight that the world was alright

You told me you always knew that I was going to be fine

That despite my mind,

I know I will always have your love

Despite my foolishness you know I am somewhere

Maybe too far away and ignorant at the moment

But you stuck around and waited patiently guiding me from above 

Swooping and watching and loving like a dove

You fed me and clothed me, and made sure I was healthy

In a time where I was too defiant to realize you were always showing your love for me

I thought I was a bad child

But you were too smart

You helped me discover 

That I had a great big heart

You instilled in me a love

As selflessly as anyone can do anything

You opened my eyes to the amazing world of spiritualism

All in all when I look back I picture

That I was a little pup and you were so tender

And that little pup grew an ego, 

Some self-righteousness, insecurities and an agenda,

But when he finally yawned and stretched out his paws,
He awoke to this world sure of nothing but your love.

Mother, oh mother I love you with all my heart
I could cry at how beautiful a person you are.

Have a Powerful Week!

I chanted a LOT this weekend...

I probably chanted 5 or 6 hours all told. On Saturday morning I chanted about two hours but I was distracted by the phone, texts and my own mind. I really battled to stay connected to my prayer, and I know I had an impact, but it was not a continuous flow of chanting. I was chanting for my son and his college Cross Country race. 

It turns out he got a cramp in the race and barely finished, but talking to him later ~ his life-condition was sky high. He had actually had a great day and didn't feel defeated at all!  See, that's one of the key points of the Buddhism of the SUN...How we deal with and react to what life presents. 

We wish we could control everything sometimes. But we really can't....at least not every minute of every day. Right? So what do we do? How do we live those precious minutes in the midst of our disappointment? On Saturday night I thought I was going to have something lined up with someone...and when it fell through what did I do? I ran across the pond (well, not literally!) and walked on the treadmill for almost an hour listening to uplifting music and I felt GREAT! 

Chanting gives you the High Life Condition to soar in life like an eagle - NO MATTER WHAT! And it gives you the tools to make your dreams come true...but we HAVE to persevere because some of those dreams take longer than others! 

I knew my Daimoku had been distracted on Saturday morning, so I made a determination to chant for three hours on Sunday morning...a SOLID three hours with no phone and no distractions. I sent an email to my District and three wonderful people came to chant the last hour with me. It wasn't easy, but I have so much to chant about and such determinations to fulfill. 

I feel absolutely great. I am making steady progress in all areas of my life. I am chanting for benefits to share with YOU to inspire YOU. And every day I see benefits...I am fearless...I am happy.  For various reasons I can't share every single one of them with you, but I'll share as many as I can. 

Here is one benefit. You know how I love it when you write your thoughts and share your inspiration with me, right? 

This morning I got an email from a new friend in the UK, and I'll share it with you now:

"Thank you for your encouragement, I am fighting the Glums today and your post made me look at the quote I have attached to my computer to remind me to just keep chanting.  
How big are my problems, really?  I am not exiled in a hut in the middle of a graveyard in the depths of winter, yet his faith made it a caribbean holiday to him.... (she is talking about Nichiren Daishonin,  who first chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, inscribed the Gohonzon and started this modern practice of Buddhism that had been predicted by Shakyamuni Buddha - He was exiled to a hut on Sado island and wrote some of his most important letters (Gosho) from there, declaring he was "the happiest man in all of Japan". 
The quote is:
" Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection.  Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existance in this life...Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes." 
And Pres Ikeda states our promise was appear as a bodhisattva of the earth and accomplish kosen-rufu.  Best get to work then."

THANK YOU friend in the UK! Thanks for reminding us all that we made a vow to return during this dark age and that the problems we face are the EXACT ones we need to change our karma for our entire families and all of humanity. We ALL have such a noble mission. 

Please remember that whatever YOU are facing...YOU are the one chanting and opening the door to happiness for the millions of people waiting. You are so important. You are a Buddha...THE Buddha, as are we all. Let's make it a powerful week! We can change anything!

Wow What a Week!

I feel like I lived an entire month in this last week! Do you know what I mean? 

My Dad and Jan were in town so my sister and I entertained a lot. We love having them visit! 

And it was a week of big events at all three of my campuses. I am the Director of Community and Alumni Relations for three colleges and this was a week of wonderful activities of giving back to the community. Busy, busy, busy! 

I am so GLAD that I have time this weekend to chant! I am so glad I know about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...and that I realize, with all my heart that ALL the power I need, all the wisdom I need, all the determination I need will be drawn from WITHIN my life by my chanting these precious words... 

I've gotten a lot of actual proof this week. This week my son Ben wrote me a poem called "Mother oh Mother" and this is my favorite stanza:

"Mother, oh Mother,
You've always been so warm 
You welcomed me to this world
To you I was a whole world in your arms."


Isn't that beautiful? What mother wouldn't feel that last line with all her heart? I have such incredible fortune, indeed~!

And I greet the weekend with fresh resolve and a thirst for more Daimoku. (Chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) I don't even know how much I chanted today...a LOT! And I am seeing once again the things I need to change in my life, and feeling the need to fuel my internal resolve to accomplish my goals and show complete victory of faith. I am fueling my resolve with Daimoku and fresh determinations:

Some of the determinations I made today:

I am determined to live healthy every moment of every day. I am determined to find the right combinations of foods/supplements/exercises that make me feel my very best at all times. I am determined to have vibrant energy and to be moving my life forward in every possible happy way. 
I am determined to show actual proof in all aspects of my life...
health...
career...
relationships...
publishing. 

I am determined to have a vibrant, happy district full of SGI members whose lives are overflowing with benefit. 

I am determined to write engaging, encouraging blog posts for YOU that will really help you to change your life and become the happiest possible YOU! I'm determined to write the kind of blog posts you can't wait to send along to everyone others so that the spread of Kosen Rufu continues on and on more and more people become happy!  

And I am determined to have that one, cherished, special relationship...just like I know so many of you are also searching for. Believe me, when I get the answer I will share it with you! Right now I am chanting for wisdom! We can all use that, right! ? 

Please share your successes and challenges with me and with the other readers! You encourage us all with your posts and emails! 

Great Gosho Quotes to Live By!

As many of you know, the Gosho are the letters that Nichiren Daishonin wrote to his followers encouraging them. Each one of these contains gems of wisdom that you can use to navigate through life. 

Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is all about having the courage to chant. I know it sounds a little odd...why would it take courage to chant. Chanting is the ultimate self-reflection. And really looking at yourself is not easy. Looking at yourself every morning and every evening...is for LIONS who can roar their greatest existence into life. 
This blog is written for the courageous! 

Here are some quotes to keep you inspired. Even one quote that you carry in your heart can get you over the choppy seas of life and keep you inspired! 


"Your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward."


From Reply to Kyo'o


And from one of my favorite Goshos:


If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured though eternity and attain supreme enlightenment in this lifetime, you must awaken to the mystic truth which has always been within your life. This truth is Myoho renge kyo. Chanting Myoho renge kyo will therefor enable you to grasp the mystic truth within you...


It is called the mystic law because it explains the mutually inclusive relationship of life and all phenomenon...


When you chant the mystic law and recite the Lotus Sutra, you must summon up deep conviction that Myoho Renge Kyo is your life itself. 


Above quotes are from the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood"


"One who hears even a sentence or phrase of the Lotus Sutra and cherishes it deep in his heart may be likened to a ship which navigates the sea of suffering. The Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, Even a single phrase cherished deep in one's heart will without fail help him reach the opposite shore. To ponder one phrase and practice it is to exercise navigation..." 


From "A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering"

Nothing is Impossible!

Kind of a cool quote isn't it? 

We can even become more youthful through this practice. I know many of you have experienced this! Please send me your experiences and pictures to share with other readers. 

It is almost 7:00 in the morning here in Chicago. This has been a very busy week for me at work, and I have my family visiting from North Carolina as well. It's beautiful and chilly here. The trees are on fire...it's fall in the Midwest! 

Today I share this quote with you from our mentor, Daisaku Ikeda:

"Through faith, with each passing year, our hearts become increasingly youthful. We advance vigorously and filled with a sense of boundless hope for the future. This is true health. This is true longevity. Those who dedicate their lives to kosen-rufu can definitely achieve such a state. That is why we practice faith." 

May your day be filled with a boundless sense of hope for the future! Through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo we FILL our lives with the rhythm of the universe...we directly experience all that is our birthright, and we can pass along this experience and knowledge to others. That is our gift...our gift to ourselves...our gift to the world. May you all be filled with a sense of hope. Remember, chant for what you want, chant until you feel certain that it is already yours. Chant in appreciation even if you don't feel appreciation right now...and soon you will! 

Have a great day!

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! 

Give YourSELF Credit!

Think of how far you have come! All day today, think of what you have achieved and reflect on your progress so far. It IS so easy to look at how much farther we have to go....it is so easy to think of the long road in front of us, or the amount of changes/results we still have to produce. For Today - honor your progress!!

I got an email from a reader I've been corresponding with for some time. She has been challenging a fear she has...and showing progress. She has now been given responsibility in the SGI and isn't sure she's quite ready to be able to inspire others....and I say: 

Congratulations! you are absolutely ready to inspire others. Even in the midst of your challenges you can inspire others. Even in the middle of your struggles...you can be at your MOST inspiring. Seeing someone struggle and continue to chant and make positive causes IS inspiring. Never doubt your ability to encourage others...and keep sharpening your skills at encouraging others. How do you do it? You chant for them first. Then when you talk to them you will already have established a life to life connection. THIS is precisely the key for you to all of us to Build our happiest and strongest selves. 

So for today, and all this week. Please give yourself credit. You are a courageous pioneer of the mystic law...you are a roaring lion of your life and an inspiration to others. Praise your life! Chant to praise your life!!! So many of us need to learn this lesson! Be the one who shows others the way!