Feeling Stuck? PowerPrayer to Open your Life to Change

When we change ourselves we change our lives. We all know this, but what's the best way to do this. How can we change? how can we trigger our lives to change? 
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the most profound cause we can make for our lives. Here is a PowerPrayer to help us all on the road to changing ourselves. 

How can you use PowerPrayers? You might read this before chanting to get your mind focused for prayer. And when you are chanting you can bring these words to mind...maybe one sentence...maybe a few phrases. There is no need to memorize the entire prayer...just to get the feeling for it, and allow it to bring focus to your daimoku as you chant the name of the Mystic Law  ~ Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with all your heart! 

Powerful Power Prayer 
to Open Our Lives to Change
By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com

I chant to realize and see the basic life tendencies that don't serve me and are holding me back. 

I chant to see them and root them forever out of my life. 

I chant to release my resistance to change!

I chant to make every action, thought, prayer and feeling a positive cause for my own happiness and for kosen-rufu. I envision a world of happiness for all beings. 

I chant for the wisdom to know what action to take, and then to take it decisively. 

I chant for my life to unfold like the brilliant Lotus it is, and for every day to brim with happiness and hope-full-ness, magic and fulfillment. Every day I chant to make a positive impact in my own life and the lives of those around me. 

I begin my day chanting in gratitude for my health, my protection, my mentor - Daisaku Ikeda, and for having the ichinen (will put into action) to continue to chant. 

Today I also focus my prayer on_____________________________________(you fill in the blank) I am determined to accomplish __________________ to show actual proof of this practice in my life, and to lead others to the law of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through my sparkling example of happiness. 

I will defeat every negative function that attempts to hold me back NOW! 

Shoten Zenjin! (Protective forces of the universe in me and in everything) Activate in every way for me NOW!!!


Daisaku Ikeda states in Faith in Action (page 87):

"Buddhism means putting the teachings into practice. Practice equals faith. With a practice of sincere prayer and action, our desires cannot possibly fail to be fulfilled. When you continue to apply yourselves to your Buddhist practice towards kosen-rufu. solidifying and gaining mastery in faith, all your prayers will definitely be answered."

Conspicuous and Inconspicuous Benefit ~ What is Revealed and What We See Later

No Matter what ~ Don't give up. 

And don't waste your energy on worrying. When my sweet Mommy was alive she would tell me she was worrying and I'd say "Don't worry! Chant Instead!" and sometimes she would follow my advice, and immediately feel better.  

Even when we do not see the benefits we are chanting for appear right now, our fortune is accruing through chanting. Sensei once talked about each Gongyo being a sheet of paper on our desks. It builds slowly...but it does build. And sooner or later the inconspicuous benefits will reveal themselves in our lives...just when we need them most. Dont' take my word for it. Prove it to yourself. 

Here is a quote for your day:

"There are two kinds of benefit 
that derive from faith in the Gohonzon: 
conspicuous and inconspicuous. 
Conspicuous benefit is the obvious, 
visible benefit of being protected 
or being quickly able 
to surmount a problem when it arises, 
be it an illness 
or a conflict in a personal relationship. 
Inconspicuous benefit 
is good fortune accumulated slowly but steadily, 
like the growth of a tree 
or the rising of the tide, 
which results in the forging 
of a rich and expansive state of life. 
We might not discern any change from day to day, 
but as the years pass, 
it will be clear that we've become happy, 
that we've grown as individuals. "

Daisaku Ikeda

Chanting "Done Deal' Daimoku on this Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day 

to all the beautiful Mothers in the world. 

As a mother I have a deep desire I share with most mothers: for our children to be safe, happy and healthy...for their lives to be filled with love, and for them to be able to find meaning and fulfillment in life. 

Some children may be fortunate to have all those things. 

And for some children that may be a far, far off dream. 

And, as one of my mentors says: "We don't chant to accomplish things we could accomplish if we didn't chant. We chant to make the impossible possible!"
And "Don't tell the Gohonzon how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big the Gohonzon (your life) is."

Today my son Aaron is coming over to make me breakfast. And tonight I will visit Ben at the hospital. My determination is stronger than ever...

After I finish this blog post I am chanting in appreciation for my wonderful children, for Aaron's continued happiness and success, and for the perfect resolution of Ben's challenges...and his happiness and health. 

I am chanting "Done Deal" Daimoku: 

Done Deal Daimoku

Thank You Gohonzon
Thank You Life! 
My victory is assured. 
Some Kind of Way  -  It is a Done Deal! 

PowerPrayer to Demand Your Results! Roooaaarrr!

Sometimes we have to get mad when we chant! 

Lions ROAR! Lions ROAR! 

When we chant 
we are chanting 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to our own life, and sometimes we have to chant with this thought:

 "Life! Enough is enough! I am changing this karma NOW."

Some of you have written me that you are feeling hopeless and controlled by others. Chant and take action!

RISE UP to your life while chanting and DEMAND results now. 

We are all noble Boddhisatvas of the earth. 

In The Heart of the Lotus Sutra, Daisaku Ikeda writes:

"When we do gongyo "we are in effect vowing to advance kosen-rufu in accord with the spirit of the original Buddha. Every day we pledge to the Daishonin, "Without fail, I will believe in and spread the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin and help lead all people to enlightenment." 
page 150

And to fulfill this vow, we have to win in our lives. 
  
Each of us has some negative tendency that happens over and over, don't we? For me, I struggled for years with a feeling that would just overcome me, and wash over me like a wave. Out of nowhere I would feel unloved, unlovable and hopeless. I'd call my friend in faith Kate, and she'd remind me that this feeling was a function of the fundamental darkness within my life and within all of life, and this was AGAIN my time to summon up the power of my faith. 

That's why I say 
BE FUELED BY YOUR OBSTACLES, 
not FOOLED BY THEM! 

"Get MAD at the shoten zenjin!" Kate would say. 
(Shoten Zenjin are the protective forces that counterbalance fundamental darkness. We use our practice to increase the shoten zenjin and banish fundamental darkness.) 
And I would generate some angry energy, roar like a lion and use this PowerPrayer inspired by Kate - it totally changed my life:

PowerPrayer to say, 

"No More! Enough is enough!”
I change this negative function NOW! 
By Jamie Lee Silver from ChantforHappiness.com

I am chanting with 

absolute conviction in the power of my life to declare and demand:

No more of this karma 

of feeling insecure and doubting myself.

I root this karma out of my life with every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant! 

No more of this karma 

of being abused or disrespected by anyone or any thing!

No more doubting my own Buddha Nature!

No more living in fear!

No more feeling unloved or hopeless.

No more ________________ (you fill in the blank.)

I now create _________________________________in my life starting now.

I don't CARE how many times I have to chant about this. I don't CARE how many times you try to bring me down. 

I will win! 

I MUST Win because I am a votary of the Lotus Sutra. I am living my life to prove that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo works and to help others become happy. 

I will win!!!

I am the Buddha.

I am roaring with power in my life!

I now determine with all the power vested in me that I will___________________________.

The wisdom to take the actions to create this breakthrough comes to me now!

Here are the actions I will take today:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12 Keys To Loving Yourself Now - by Louise Hay

Note: Lately I am learning so much from so many. I've read Goddesses are Ageless by Christiane Northup M.D. twice in a month, and seen her live. I've taken both Nick and Jessica Ortner's classes on EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique - also known as Tapping), I've read Outrageous Openness by Tosha Slver in one sitting, and I always return to Louise Hay, one of my favorite inspirations. Louise took a childhood of abuse and turned her life into an inspiration for others - founder of Hay House Publishing and inspiration for what is possible in the later years - the 80s and beyond. She has said that Loving Yourself is the key to a happy life. I agree. Enjoy!




12 Ways You Can Love Yourself Now

By Louise Hay

I have found that there is only one thing that heals every

 problem, 

and that is: to love yourself. 

When people start to love themselves more each day, 

it’s amazing how their lives get better. 

They feel better. 

They get the jobs they want. 

They have the money they need. 

Their relationships either improve, 

or the negative ones dissolve and new ones begin.

Loving yourself is a wonderful adventure; 

it’s like learning to fly. 

Imagine if we all had the power to fly at will? 

How exciting it would be! Let’s begin to love 

ourselves now.

Here are 

12 Commandments to help you learn how to love yourself:

1. Stop All Criticism.

Criticism never changes a thing. 

Refuse to criticize yourself. 

Accept yourself exactly as you are. 

Everybody changes. 

When you criticize yourself, 

your changes are negative. 

When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

2. Forgive Yourself.

Let the past go. 

You did the best you could at the time 

with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge 

that you had. 

Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life 

differently.

3. Don’t Scare Yourself.

Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. 

It's a dreadful way to live. 

Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and 

immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

4. Be Gentle and Kind and Patient.

Be gentle with yourself. 

Be kind to yourself. 

Be patient with yourself 

as you learn the new ways of thinking. 

Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.

5. Be Kind to Your Mind.

Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. 

Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. 

Gently change your thoughts.

6. Praise Yourself.

Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. 

Praise builds it up. 

Praise yourself as much as you can. 

Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

7. Support Yourself.

Find ways to support yourself. 

Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. 

It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

8. Be Loving to Your Negatives.

Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. 

Now you are finding new, positive ways 

to fulfill those needs. 

So lovingly release the old negative patterns.

9. Take Care of Your Body.

Learn about nutrition. 

What kind of fuel does your body need 

in order to have optimum energy and vitality? 

Learn about exercise. 

What kind of exercise do you enjoy? 

Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

10. Do Mirror Work.

Look into your eyes often.

Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself

Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. 

Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror. 

Forgive them, too. 

At least once a day, say, I love you, I really love you!

11. Love Yourself . . . Do It Now.

Don't wait until you get well, 

or lose the weight, 

or get the new job, 

or find the new relationship. 

Begin now—and do the best you can.

12. Have Fun.

Remember the things that gave you joy as a child.

 Incorporate them into your life now. 

Find a way to have fun with everything you do. 

Let yourself express the joy of living. 

Smile. 

Laugh. 

Rejoice, and the Universe rejoices with you!

PowerPrayer to Make New Friends

Our friendships make our lives bloom! 

I receive frequent requests asking how to pray for more friends. 

The following PowerPrayer is the one I kept in mind as a chanted when I was lonely and lived far from my family. I knew I had to do something to make more friends. 

I am now rich in friendships and I make more friends every day. My friendships are easy and fun - no drama - all love! 

First, a quote from Daisaku Ikeda:

"Those who make many friends have greater opportunities for growth and self-development; they make society a better place and lead happy, satisfying lives. In every situation, human relations ~ communication and personal interactions ~ are vital. We need to initiate and nurture friendships and contacts with many people, both within the organization and in society at large. Our lives will open and be enriched to the extent that we do so." 
Faith in Action page 221

PowerPrayer to Make More Friends
(What is a PowerPrayer? An intention that I keep in mind when I am chanting for a specific goal. As always, various thoughts come and go as we chant. Reading the PowerPrayer before chanting may give you additional focus.)
By Jamie Lee Silver from ChantforHappiness.com

Life!

I am ready and willing to change in any way 

to BE a friend

and to attract new friends into my life. 

If there is anything I’m doing 

to stop new friendships let me see it and change it now!

I am ready and willing to change in any way to attract new friends. 

I am ready to make new friends.

I see myself now 

standing tall, walking with a buoyant step

and enjoying going with the flow.

My eyes are sparkling with happiness.

Everyone I meet wants to get to know me better

and I resonate with the new people 
who are coming into my life.

The people I'm attracting now

are really positive, vibrant and upbeat people

just like me!

We easily connect and enjoy each other's company. 
We become friends.

Of course, we must take action to gain new friends. When I meet someone I like I ask them out for coffee, or invite them to join me at an event. I take the initiative. It is worth it!

When One Sun Rises Everything is Illuminated

I took this picture from a friend's condo overlooking Lake Michigan in Chicago. I call it  

"The sun is an exclamation mark!"

"When one sun rises 

everything is illuminated."

For many years that has been my favorite quote from my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. 

He has proven it with his life, and we are all proving it with ours. 

I, along with so many of you who share your hearts with me each day, live our lives with this in mind, with our vow to accomplish kosen-rufu in mind. 

Our lives do illuminate the world.  

For almost six years, I have shared my life with you. Not for accolades or money, but to be an example, and reach people who are searching for answers, searching for a positive and practical practice for their lives. 

Lately, I am hearing from more and more of you who found this practice, and got connected to the SGI through this blog. Bravo! And welcome! 

You are why I write this blog!

I've also heard from others who were practicing alone and after my many appeals to join the SGI decided to join and are now practicing in a District. Bravo!

You are why I write this blog! 

And I hear from you who are bravely facing and challenging your life and you jumpstart your practice by reading these words...who chant with renewed vigor...and do more shakubuku.

Bravo!

It is for you I write this blog. 

Let me remind you, once again, that these words are mine, and I don't represent the SGI in an official capacity, except as a member who loves the organization and bases her heart on Sensei's heart. 

May 3rd has come and gone and many of us made Daimoku targets and goals towards this date. What do we do if our targets weren't achieved? We keep chanting! I am still chanting 2 hours a day and am as determined as ever to break through. I will never give up. 

So every day I am reading the words of my mentor, and studying the Gosho. I am attending meetings and encouraging others. Last week I chanted every day with my dear friend Mary. I can see the difference in her face! And she is continuing to chant every day twice a day.

As far as I'm concerned, consistent faith, practice, and study, (which includes shakubuku), are the keys. From my early days as a YWD emcee, I presented "faith, practice and study" at meetings. I continue to strengthen my practice along with you. It is an honor to know you! 

Go Buddha Go! 

"When one sun rises, everything is illuminated."