The More You Chant the More You WANT to Chant!

Have you ever experienced this phenomenon...that the more you chant the more you want to chant? 

I am in this phase right now. Every morning I just don't want to stop! I can feel the power welling forth from my life. 

I can feel myself getting stronger and wiser and more courageous. I am able to bat down sadness...or depression...or fear before it takes root. If I start to feel sad I know just what to do...take a walk...chant. It's immediate. I am not dwelling in the land of sadness that used to engulf me on a daily basis. That is over. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

What is so great about this practice is we can change our basic life tendencies that make us unhappy. We Buddhists, we KNOW that our biggest demons are our own negativity. We KNOW that the power of creating happiness comes from within. 

We just have to continually muster the power to overcome that negativity...no matter WHAT is going on in our lives. We need to have enough Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) on board so that when our inner demons arise (fear, anger, stupidity, depression, defeat...) when THOSE arise we RISE UP STRONGER through accessing our own power...through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, studying and encouraging others! 

It is a wonderful way of living. So worth-while! And we know, that no matter what the effects are TODAY, that we are creating a life of splendor and beauty and happiness. 

I am just like you. I have changed some major things. And I am working on some others. 

I wish I had a a man to love in my life...a deep...everlasting love. So many of you write me about this, and I know how hard it is. Trust me. Lately I seem to attract men who fall head over heels for me and then disappear. But I will not be defeated. I choose to be amused. And I know he's coming. I know I will have my kosen-rufu partner, and I know you will have yours...as long as we don't give up. 

If you have an inspiring story to share with us please send it to me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com so you can inspire readers all over the world! 

Great Financial Benefit Experience

Hello!

As many of you know, May is the SGI month of financial contribution. It is the opportunity for each of us to make a deep impact on our own financial karma, and set our lives on solid financial footing. 

The idea of using donation to assure financial stability is not a new one created by the SGI. No. Way before I joined the SGI I became aware of the financial principle of dedicating a certain portion of income to the good of all. Some beliefs suggest 10% of all earnings be donated. The SGI does not make such an assertion. Instead, decisions about how much to donate are made by each of us, from our hearts. 

There is no suggested amount, and no dues. We are encouraged to donate as much or as little as we want....with the knowledge that each donation is a CAUSE for our lives.

My first donation was $20 for the building of the Center in Santa Monica in the 80's. I will never forget making that donation. $20 was a lot of money to me at the time. And I donated happily, with a full heart, for all the benefits I had received in the early days of my practice in San Francisco. 

This year when I made my determinations at the beginning of the year I said "This is the YEAR of Stability for me. I will build the four legs of a table under my life in honor of 2014. I will be financially secure, and secure in all other ways too." 

For several reasons this has been a year of getting back on track. I took a year off to write the book (which I am still in the process of creating for you - I have decided to change the word PowerPrayers to Fresh Determinations - what do you think of that?) and returned to the work force in health Care in January at a much lower pay rate than I have earned in the past. And I'm supporting myself now ~ in the process of creating a new future for myself while completing the divorce from my husband of many years. Because of my practice, we remain good friends and united parents to our two boys. 

And here's the financial benefit: 

On Friday morning of last week I woke up with a feeling of discouragement in my heart over my career and financial situation. As I was chanting I told the Gohonzon "I am so discouraged Gohonzon, what do I need to do to bring forth my full power as a Buddha so I can show actual proof at every moment and encourage people with my heart, my actions and my actual proof?" At that moment I decided to take out my computer and make a donation to the SGI to show my resolve to change my karma. I picked an amount I could live with, that didn't scare me too much, and noticed that I could also pay with PayPal. How exciting. I emptied my two PayPal accounts of everything but a few pennies. I felt great! 

As I continued to chant I felt such confidence welling up in my spirit. I felt strength and hope and clear direction. I realized that a job had just opened up in my company that I was completely qualified for, the doubt of my capabilities just evaporated, and I made some notes as I was chanting. 

It was a powerful day! I uncovered a unique opportunity for business and communicated some of my ideas to the executives. I began a process towards giving myself the career I have earned, and am capable of.  

The next day I had a meeting regarding the divorce and found out that the financial settlement awarded to me was going to be much more than originally planned. I breathed a sigh of relief. I am determined to live a life without fear of ANYTHING, including finances. I am determined to live a life without fear. My benefit was immediate.

It is not important what AMOUNT you choose to donate in the May campaign. I have not yet reached my goal, but I will continue to contribute in full appreciation for this practice in my life. 

I will donate more before the campaign ends, then set up a sustainable contribution where a portion of my income is automatically donated every single month. I did that years ago, and earned more money than I've ever earned since. 

Have a great day!

Fresh Determination for a Power-FULL and Happy Day

How do we have Power-FULL Daimoku? 

Every day is a new challenge. 
Every day we wake into our glorious lives, that sometimes don't feel so glorious. Every day we have the chance to begin anew. 
Ever morning, 
every moment 
is "Hon-nim-myo" ~ 
from this moment forth. 

I have a lot of things on my plate - just like you!

So I decided to make a determination before chanting ~ that after my hour of chanting I would feel absolutely refreshed, confident and ready for anything! I turned my phone off, made my tea, and chanted with some of these thoughts in mind. 
I write this Fresh Determination from my heart for you. You can read it before you chant and see if it inspires your fresh determination. 
This blog is for you. I do not express the official voice of the SGI, only the official voice of this one practitioner, myself, who longs for the happiness of all people! 

Fresh Determination
for a Power-FULL Happy Day!
By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com

Life!
Today I embrace you at every moment
The wisdom I am creating, right now, 
through every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant
pours through me every moment this day. 
Every moment is in rhythm
Every moment I am in exactly the right place 
at the right time
Seeing through the eyes of the Buddha I AM! 
I make a difference in every life I touch

The right words come at the right time. 
My warm heart shines
My confidence shines
I feel the love of those around me
I feel my love for myself, for my warm and wonderful self! 
I create an environment that appreciates me 
as I appreciate it! 
My brilliant future is assured
without me having to worry about it or strategize. 

I am creating my future as I lovingly love my present! 
Here are some goals I am visualizing: 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gohonzon!
Life!
Some kind of way 
I am shakubukuing others at every moment! 
Some kind of way 
the people I am chanting for 
will be happy and healthy!
I chant for ___________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
their health and happiness and stability! 
their ability to tap into their practice and get results!
their strong life force!
their mission for kosen-rufu! 
For ______________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
to be inspired and come to the meeting! 
This is a great day!

Waking The Buddha! This is Our Time!

Clark Strand and Jamie Lee Silver

May 18th 2014

Yesterday, Clark Strand, author of Waking the Buddha spoke at the SGI-USA Chicago Culture Center.  

This important book that has come along at the perfect time for the spread of worldwide kosen-rufu. 

The book itself is part personal memoir, and part religious history of the SGI. It's an easily accessible book - a perfect book to pass along to shakubuku and members. 

Clark Strand is a former Zen Buddhist monk, former editor at Tricycle, a Buddhist magazine distributed widely, and a well-respected writer. He is not an SGI member ~ which, in my opinion, lends even more credence to his views. 

There is so much I'd like to relate to you. For now, before I head off to work, I will mention a few things that make Waking the Buddha so important. 

As Clark said yesterday, Waking the Buddha is a mirror of what the SGI movement is and what we as individuals are doing. We live with the constant thought and intention of using our lives and the examples of actual proof we show to encourage others to become happy.

We have spread this teaching of the Mystic Law in a unique way...person to person...candle to candle. The SGI is the world in miniature...a microcosm of the peace we know is possible, and are ushering in with every Nam-myoho-renge kyo we chant. 

Clark Strand has the force of spirit to say 

(I paraphrase for now - I will directly quote in future posts) 

"Look at you, the SGI! You are doing it! You are an organization unique in all the world. The SGI is the most diverse Buddhist movement, religious movement on the face of the earth. You are the fastest growing, best organized and you serve no clergy. The SGI exists for the sake of the happiness of the members. This is revolutionary. You are already successful. This is your time. This is your time!" 

He even has a rebuttal for those who would comment "Aren't those the Buddhists who chant for cars?" He answers "Yes, and they chant for the happiness of others, and for world peace, and for their families and to be better at their jobs. They chant for everything! Isn't that great?"

There is so much more to write. Stay tuned. Write me your impressions and how you are using this book at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

And as always, send me your victories to share! 

Waking the Buddha is published by Middleway Press and is available through SGI centers in America, is on Amazon.com and is also on the website SGI-USA.org. 

Challenging the Fierce Storms of Our Karma! We are Victorious!

Challenge! 

Where there is challenge, there is progress. 
Where there is challenge, there is hope. 
Where there is challenge, there is joy.
Where there is challenge, there is happiness. 
Where there is challenge, there is victory. 

All things in the universe 
are constantly engaged in challenge. 
Flowers strive to break through the deep snows 
to send up new sprouts. 
Waves crash tirelessly against rocks on the shore, 
wearing them down. 
Day after day, the sun bursts forth from the darkness 
and emerges joyously.
All things quietly and tenaciously persevere, 
working unceasingly to fulfill their unique mission, 
whether seen or unseen. 
Challenge! 
Challenge!
Challenge!
That is what it means to be alive. 

We will take on the challenge ~~
to teach one friend after another the way to happiness, 
for the sake of peace and prosperity for all people;
to stand defiant 
in the face of the fierce storms of our karma, 
so we can demonstrate the true potential of human beings;
to lead a life in which we can enjoy ourselves
at ease (see the Lotus Sutra and it's opening and closing Sutras, p. 272),
so we can proudly declare how happy we are! 

I will keep moving forward ~~
for my single, small step today
will eventually forge a great path! 
I will not be defeated~~
for I know that, even after dark nights of raging blizzards, 
the sun of victory will rise again tomorrow without fail!

Daisaku Ikeda, 
from The New Human Revolution, Volume 26, Chapter 2, installment 1. as excerpted in the May 2014 Living Buddhism

"At That Time" Our Determination Changes EVERYTHING~!

Deciding to "Stand Up and Fight" Changes Everything!

The beginning of the "Expedient Means" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which we recite during morning and evening Gongyo begins with the phrase "At that time the World Honored One calmly arose from his samedhi and addressed Shariputra"

In "The Heart of the Lotus Sutra" Daisaku Ikeda states: 

"In terms of our practice, therefore, I would like to stress that "that time" exists only when we pray to the Gohonzon and manifest determination and awareness of our mission for kosen-rufu. (World peace through our own human revolution - using our problems to FUEL our happiness and light the way of inspiration for all by showing the impossible is possible through our lives, notes mine, js) 

We have to make a determination, 
pray and take action. 
Unless we do so, 
our environment will not change in the least, 
though five or ten years may pass, 
that time" will never arrive.

Our single minded determination for kosen rufu, 
and that alone, 
creates the "time." 
"That time" is 
when we set our lives in motion, 
when we stand up 
of our own volition and by our own will and strength. "That time" is when we summon forth strong faith 
and take our place on the grand stage of kosen-rufu.

Goethe writes, "The moment alone is decisive; Fixes the life of man, and his further destiny settles." 
"That time" is the moment you resolve 
from the depths of your heart: 

"Now I will stand up and fight!" 

From that moment, 
your destiny changes. 
Your life develops. 
History begins. "

(note from Jamie: When I sit in front of my Gohonzon, and look into the mirror of my life... I chant in appreciation for my problems and VOW to show actual proof to others that the impossible is possible, and that each one of my problems leads us closer to a world of happiness for all...because one more woman stood up and said "NO WAY!" "I will WIN!" I picture the outcome already secure and chant in happiness.) 

Mother Poem

The Most beautiful poem about mothers. By Daisaku Ikeda

Mother, what a wondrous, nourishing power you have!
Were it not for you in this world,
People would lose the earth to return to,
And wander for all eternity.

Mother, our mother.
Persevering through the storm,
You offered prayers in sadness.

I pray you will stay in good health until the day
When all your wishes are fulfilled,
And, as though endowed with wings,
you take flight toward the heavens.

Mother, with your ideas and wisdom,
I hope you will perform a melody of peace on the earth,
Where people look forward to the arrival of spring.
Thus, you will become the mother of the Century of Humanity