5 Essential Keys and a PowerPrayer for Shakubuku

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Our lives blossom when we introduce others to this practice. (Shakubuku) When we introduce others we are doing the work of the Buddha. There are many ways to do shakubuku...in this post I focus on planting seeds. Three people had to tell me about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo before I started chanting. I had three seeds. Then I embraced this practice fully when an extremely articulate and passion woman (Kate Randolph) and I spent a day together. We'd been total strangers. After a day with her I began a dedicated practice with the wonderful San Francisco members who raised me as a Buddhist. 

You never know when seeds will sprout. Some of my friends began chanting right after I started. My Mom jumped right in after a year saying "I want what you've got!" and chanted the rest of her life. Many times with me and my two boys. 

So I plant seeds.

We are the Buddha after all. 

As my friend Kate says: 

The Gohonzon cannot get down off the wall 
and tell people about chanting. 
Only we can do it. 
And THIS is one of the main reasons 
we are worthy votaries of the Lotus Sutra. 
When we help others learn to practice 
our lives expand and we change our karma. 

Shakubuku is easy, not hard. 

It all starts with Daimoku. And a sky-high life condition! When we are beaming and happy people want to know our secret. And we want to tell them.

I chant this PowerPrayer to meet the people who are seeking this practice.
I firmly believe that there are Bodhisattvas out who made the vow to return at this time to prove the power of this law, but they haven't found it yet. YOU can be the one who helps them live out their vow.

There are so many people who are seeking the solution to their problems. There are so many who are suffering with no solution. But look at us...we know we can transform any poison into medicine. We are changing our karma right here, right now. I do shakubuku out of compassion for those who are still searching.

Five Things I Tell People About Chanting:

1. You can chant for whatever you want. And if you don't get exactly what you want, you will get something better. You get to KEEP your Desires! And that includes chanting for people you love. You can help others through your chanting. In this practice desires are NOT the cause of your suffering. They are the fuel for your happiness. How refreshing!  (Life is long. Patience is important. Not giving up is KEY.) 

2. You don't have to convert. It's like meditation. Anyone can do it. After chanting for a while, you may want to fully embrace this practice. After seeing the actual proof you will probably want to. But you can test it first and watch your own results. It works. 

3. You don't have to believe it will work. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the law of cause and effect. We don't have to understand it. When we turn on the light do we UNDERSTAND why electricity works? Most likely not. But it works. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a law. The law of the universe. You can these words and you will see an effect in your life. It will work. 

4. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo means "I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration." It is the name of the rhythm of life itself. If you intone the name of the rhythm of life itself while focusing on your desires you tap into the energy of the universe...your highest potential...to make your dreams come true. Internal change is where it starts. Chanting works because chanting creates an effect on the INSIDE of your life. And because we are connected to our environment our environment HAS to change. It HAS to. And it will. 

5. Chanting has No rules. No paths to memorize. No uncomfortable positions or clothing. All people regardless of race or sexual orientation are welcome. 

If people have time to talk I also discuss the SGI, President Ikeda and the benefits of being part of this incredible organization. 

As many of you know, I looked for this practice for the first half of my life. I knew it HAD to exist. I kept finding practices that said my desires were the cause of my suffering.... Somehow I KNEW that my desires weren't bad...that they were a part of me, a lovely, beautiful part of me. So I kept searching until I found this practice. I know others are out there...just like I was...searching. That's why I write this blog! And I have been so grateful for the last 30 years to be able to chant and sing the story ~ CREATE the story of my life.

So everywhere I go I bring cards. I made them myself, and you can usually buy them at the SGI Centers. I have the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the phonetic pronunciation. They also say: Chant these words and become happier than you ever imagined, and the contact info for the Chicago Center are on them. If appropriate I invite them to a meeting.

I hand people a card, even if I've just met them for a moment at a store, or in line somewhere. 

After I thank them for helping me,  I say "I have something special for you. I just have to let you know about this- Have you ever heard of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo? When you chant these words and think about what you want you become happier than you ever imagined."

Everyone says Thank You!
Almost NEVER does anyone respond negatively. 
And with each person I am planting a seed. It might not sprout now, but it might sprout when the NEXT person tells them, or when a family member starts chanting.  At any rate it a great cause for YOUR life too!

PowerPrayer for Shakubuku 

(to introduce others to this practice) 
By Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com

When you are experiencing benefits and your life is glowing like the sun, you will naturally want to share your secret with other people. 

Simply put, Shakubuku means sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others. From the Japanese, it means “to clear away illusions that prevent one from recognizing the ultimate truth or reality.” This truth is that we are all Buddhas. Every time you share Nichiren Buddhism with others you are doing the work of the Buddha, in helping others to attain happiness by realizing that they are Buddhas, too. Each time, you bring people one important step closer to knowing who they are and their absolute happiness. Please do not cut and paster this PowerPrayer. If you want to share please use the buttons at the bottom of this post. 

Life!

I chant for kosen-rufu Now! 
I deeply desire a world of respect for all of life. 
Let me meet the people who want to practice right now!

Give me the courage to tell them 
about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

and the heart and wisdom to touch their lives.
Increase my level to really CARE about others, and to be articulate in sharing this practice. 

Give me the confidence and 
let my life SHINE with BENEFITS and ACTUAL PROOF 
so that people want to know my secret! 
Let my life SHINE! 

Do you have any shakubuku tips for the readers of this blog? Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com. Also send your experiences with a picture and a bio so you can share your inspiring practice on the blog! 

10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer by Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda's 
10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer 

(You can subscribe to this blog by putting your email in the box to the right)
~ 1 ~

Prayer entails an intense challenge 
to believe in yourself 
and stop diminishing yourself. 
To belittle yourself 
is to disparage Buddhism 
and the Buddha within your life.

~ 2 ~

Prayer is the way to destroy all fear. 
It is the way to banish sorrow, 
the way to light a torch of hope. 
It is the revolution 
that rewrites the scenario of our destiny.

~ 3 ~

Prayers are invisible, 
but if we pray steadfastly 
They will definitely effect clear results in our lives 
and surroundings over time. 
This is the principle of the true entity of all phenomena. Faith means having confidence in this invisible realm.

~ 4 ~

Prayer is not a feeble consolation; 
it is a powerful, unyielding conviction. 
And prayer must become manifest in action. 
To put it another way, 
if our prayers are in earnest, 
they will definitely give rise to action. 

~ 5 ~

Prayer is the courage to persevere. 
It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness 
and lack of confidence in ourselves. 
It is the act of impressing 
in the very depths of our being 
the conviction that we can change the situation 
without fail. 

~ 6 ~

Prayer is an attempt 
to merge the inner workings of our life 
with the rhythm of the universe. 
When we pray in such a way, 
all the workings of the universe 
will function to protect us 
and the endless cycle of painful reality 
will be transformed 
into a cycle of victory and happiness. 
Prayer is the key to open the door 
to unleash 
that infinite human potential within our lives. 

~ 7 ~

The important thing 
is to firmly fix our gaze 
on our own weaknesses, 
not run away from them, 
but to battle them head-on 
and establish a solid self that nothing can sway. Hardships forge and polish our lives, 
so that eventually 
they shine with brilliant fortune and benefit. 
If left in its raw, unpolished form, 
even the most magnificent gem will not sparkle. 
The same applies to our lives. 

~ 8 ~

Prayer is not of the realm of logic or intellect. 
It transcends these. 

~ 9 ~

Prayer is an act 
of which we give expression 
to the pressing and powerful wishes 
in the depths of our being 
and yearn for their fulfillment. 

~ 10 ~ 

"What kind of future do I envision for myself? 
What kind of self and I trying to develop? 
What do I want to accomplish in my life?" 
The thing is to paint this vision of your life in your heart 
as specifically as possible. 
That "painting" itself becomes the design of your future. The power of the heart 
enables us to actually create with our lives 
a wonderful masterpiece 
in accordance with that design. 

It is not about others. 
It is about you winning, 
and winning over yourself. 
By doing so, you will provide inspiration 
and encouragement to all around you. 

From Ikedaquotes.org

10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer by Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda's 
10 Powerful Quotes on Prayer 

~ 1 ~

Prayer entails an intense challenge 
to believe in yourself 
and stop diminishing yourself. 
To belittle yourself 
is to disparage Buddhism 
and the Buddha within your life.

~ 2 ~

Prayer is the way to destroy all fear. 
It is the way to banish sorrow, 
the way to light a torch of hope. 
It is the revolution 
that rewrites the scenario of our destiny.

~ 3 ~

Prayers are invisible, 
but if we pray steadfastly 
They will definitely effect clear results in our lives 
and surroundings over time. 
This is the principle of the true entity of all phenomena. Faith means having confidence in this invisible realm.

~ 4 ~

Prayer is not a feeble consolation; 
it is a powerful, unyielding conviction. 
And prayer must become manifest in action. 
To put it another way, 
if our prayers are in earnest, 
they will definitely give rise to action. 

~ 5 ~

Prayer is the courage to persevere. 
It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness 
and lack of confidence in ourselves. 
It is the act of impressing 
in the very depths of our being 
the conviction that we can change the situation 
without fail. 

~ 6 ~

Prayer is an attempt 
to merge the inner workings of our life 
with the rhythm of the universe. 
When we pray in such a way, 
all the workings of the universe 
will function to protect us 
and the endless cycle of painful reality 
will be transformed 
into a cycle of victory and happiness. 
Prayer is the key to open the door 
to unleash 
that infinite human potential within our lives. 

~ 7 ~

The important thing 
is to firmly fix our gaze 
on our own weaknesses, 
not run away from them, 
but to battle them head-on 
and establish a solid self that nothing can sway. Hardships forge and polish our lives, 
so that eventually 
they shine with brilliant fortune and benefit. 
If left in its raw, unpolished form, 
even the most magnificent gem will not sparkle. 
The same applies to our lives. 

~ 8 ~

Prayer is not of the realm of logic or intellect. 
It transcends these. 

~ 9 ~

Prayer is an act 
of which we give expression 
to the pressing and powerful wishes 
in the depths of our being 
and yearn for their fulfillment. 

~ 10 ~ 

"What kind of future do I envision for myself? 
What kind of self and I trying to develop? 
What do I want to accomplish in my life?" 
The thing is to paint this vision of your life in your heart 
as specifically as possible. 
That "painting" itself becomes the design of your future. The power of the heart 
enables us to actually create with our lives 
a wonderful masterpiece 
in accordance with that design. 

It is not about others. 
It is about you winning, 
and winning over yourself. 
By doing so, you will provide inspiration 
and encouragement to all around you. 

From Ikedaquotes.org

Great Job Finding Experience

Good morning everyone! I am Ravinder Kaur. I was introduced to this life changing practise about 4 years ago by a friend. I was further encouraged by my sister. But to be very honest, i have been sincerely practising only since September last year. Standing here today, I am eternally indebted to my friend and sister; and would like to share with you about how i have been able to transform my life through the wonderful life philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. 

My struggle started when i shifted to Ramesh Nagar in February, 2014. Till then I was a very happy and carefree person. I was doing very well in my career. In fact i was going to be made a partner in the firm where i worked. Now when i look back i realise that i was in a world of rapture and did not respect what i had. Then life took a terrible u-turn. I was asked to deposit a large sum of money before I could be confirmed as a partner in the firm. No matter how hard i tried, i was unable to raise the amount. And had to leave the job. From March to August 2014, i never really felt the pinch as my savings were there to sustain me n my family. But soon my bank account went dry. And from August onwards, started the struggle.

In this period of darkness, when i depressed and disturbed, BSG (SGI in India)became the ray of hope in my life. I was deeply encouraged by senior leaders to connect to faith. I started chanting daimoku and did Gongyo regularly. I determined to attend all meetings which i did. Every spare minute of my existnece was dedicated to chanting and studying Buddhism. But strangely nothing changed. In fact my husband lost his job! And even stranger, i never doubted the power of my daimoku. Yes i was puzzled but i was confident that Winter would turn to Spring. So with tears pouring down my cheeks, i continued to chant. I started reading a Gosho every day. I read other experiences to encourage myself. I took guidance from everyone possible to understand how deep my karma was. But still my situation did not change. 

Inspite of my daimoku, i was swimming in the pool of self pity. And i realised this when my friend should me the true mirror of reality. She told me very strictly that unless i changed the bitterness and anger in me, nothing would change in me. The Gosho states – When the sky is clear, the ground will be illuminated. I started looking around me and appreciated every small good thing. My daimoku transformed from a sad heavy chant to a joyful chant. I started to feel a new confidence in myself. And i saw my first victory.

I was at loss on how to pay for my daughter’s school n tuition fees amounting 36,000/-.My child was very embarrassed to go to school n face her teachers. I chanted daimoku and went to meet her principal. I requested them to grant me some more time to arrange the money. I chanted to the shoten zenjin’s (protective forces in the environment) to support me. I pleaded with the administration and they gave me another day’s time. And also said that it was the last chance else i would have to pull my daughter out of the school. I came back home began to chant fervently to the Gohonzon. I did not want my daughter’s life to be spoiled. As a mother my heart bled with helplessness. I would rather die than be defeated in my daughter’s case. The next day morning i tried to frantically arrange for the amount but nothing materialised. As time ticked away my heart began to sink. Around 3 pm, i got a call from the school. Dreadfully i picked it up. The school account told me that my daughter’s school fees and tuition fees had been paid. I was stunned. I asked who paid, the accountant replied that another parent had paid the amount. I took the contact number and thanked him personally. He told me that while i was pleading with the principal, he was waiting outside and had overheard everything. I offered to pay back the full amount but he refused saying that he was very happy to be of help!

In spite of all this, i was still jobless. I gave several interviews but no positive response. I started chanting 3 hrs 20 min daily. Finally after a year, i got a job. Though the job was in Gurgaon, and timings were difficult to manage as it was a night shift, i took up the job with great joy. I  looked forward to share my experience at the next Zadankai. However, my karma had not yet changed. Within two days, my job profile was changed and since i could not cope with the job responsibilities, I was asked to resign. And the company did not refund the amount i had paid for monthly conveyance charge. I was shattered. I could not believe what had happened. I cried for days together

But with the immense support of members and leaders, I was encouraged not to give up. In the Gosho , Relpy to Ky’o, Nichiren Daishonin says ‘The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal.....This is what the sutra means by “the power [of the Buddhas] that has the lion’s ferocity’. I started chanting with the ferocity of lioness to protect my family.  

In the month of March, my landlord asked us to vacate the flat as we could not pay the rent. After a lot of thought and consultation with my parents, my husband decided that we should move back our hometown in Bihar. I sat in front of the Gohonzon and chanted sincerely for a breakthrough. My mission here was not completed. I wanted to work for kosen rufu in Ramesh Nagar with my beloved members and leaders. Finally the day came when we would be leaving. Our train tickets were booked for night train. But flame of hope was still burning in my heart. In the morning, I decided to try calling different HR personnels where i had given interviews. After more than a dozen negative replies, finally one office told me that there was a vacancy and that i should come immediately for interview. Once i was there, they made wait for three hours only for the HR person to tell me to go back as the CEO was in a meeting. On my way back, I kept chanting to understand what to do. May going back to Bihar was the right thing to do. Just then my phone rang and it from the same office requesting me to come back as the CEO wanted to meet me. I went for the interview and was selected as a team leader with a good salary package. And another great benefit is that the office is close to the house. 

‘Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered’. With deep conviction in these words written by Nichiren Diashonin, I determine to become indispensable at my work place. I also determine to chant at least one hour every day no matter how busy i get and continue working for kosen rufu.  

What Does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Mean and Why Do We Chant It?

What does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo mean, 

and why do we chant it? 

By Jamie Lee Silver of ChantforHappiness.com - 
Not an official SGI site

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Translate button is at the top right.)

The literal translation is:

"I fuse my life 

with the mystic law of cause and effect 

through sound vibration (or sutra)." 

It is the title of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha's highest teaching that declares that ALL people possess the Buddha Nature...all people ARE Buddhas...and we can access this nature by calling it forth in our lives using this phrase. 

Being a Buddha - 
is tapping the river of life that runs through ALL life - summoning the mystic law 
by realizing 
we ARE the Mystic Law. 
We not only chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ~ 
we ARE Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ~the Mystic Law. 

I like to think of it as "I am one with the rhythm of all life." It is the rhythm that exists within all of life...the reason for the turning of the tides...the reason for the seasons...the atoms that exist within every single cell...from an elephant to a spec of dust...to the cells in our hearts and minds. Everything possesses this connectedness...this rhythm.  
It is all encompassing and contains the wisdom and energy of all of life itself...the whole universe. 

When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we tap into that energy and access it for our lives...directed towards our desires and for the fulfillment of happiness for all. In this practice, it's okay to have desires. More than okay! We don't have to alleviate them. Desires make us who we are and lead us to chant. 

When we chant we change the internal life within our lives. We change the core and fiber of our lives. We change our karma. And when we make that internal change, our ENVIRONMENT (meaning everything that is not within our own skin, our jobs, our relationships, our sense of self, everything we experience and think) ALL of that changes to reflect our internal change. We call this "Human Revolution."

When we chant we harness the energy that is our birthright. And we chant twice a day, every single day, to get and keep our lives in rhythm. 

When we are in rhythm we are in the right place at the right time... to find out about and get the job...or to meet the man of our dreams...or to protect our child from danger. When we are in rhythm life isn't so much of a struggle as it is a joy...we see the beauty in everything and we feel our lives overflowing with appreciation. 

We chant for something and get it or something better. We get access to internal happiness and strength that cannot be blown away by any event or obstacles. 

In fact we view obstacles themselves as benefits, as strange as that may sound....because obstacles make us chant more, and when we chant more we draw even higher life conditions and deeper satisfaction into our lives. 

What can we chant FOR? Anything. We chant for others, we chant for our planet, our countries, and ouselves. 
We can chant for whatever our desire may be...even if it might not be the "right" desire for us. In the act of chanting, we will change our karma and our desires themselves will naturally begin to shift. We will open our lives to the deeper wisdom within...the deeper yearning, the REAL desires that we have forgotten or given up on. We will grow. We will prosper and we will blossom. 

We will gain the wisdom of the right action to take - because ACTION springs from wisdom. 

The challenge is...we need to DO it. We have to chant to bring all this rhythm and harmony out. And that's why we practice together as an organization, the SGI, The Soka Gakkai, our fellowship of friends who support each other, chant for each other, and create a new Soka family for each practitioner. We are so fortunate. 

I hear from people all over the world, and some have strong SGI groups in their towns and others are completely alone. I love that we can connect through the power of the internet. From the moment I began chanting almost 30 years ago I have had the deep desire to share this practice, this practice that WORKS, with everyone who is looking for the real, practical means of creating happiness and results in their lives. 

We are in this life together...sharing our challenges and our successes. If you are not yet connected to the SGI please go to sgi-usa.com and find your local members. You will be so glad you did. 

Some Powerful Quotes from Daisaku Ikeda:

THIS moment, this instant, is important, 
not some unknown time in the future. 
Today, this very day is what matters. 
You must put your whole being 
into the time that exists now. 
For future victory rests in the present moment.

BUDDHISM holds that 
everything is in a constant state of flux. 
Thus, the question is 
whether we are to accept change passively 
and be swept away by it, 
or whether we are to take the lead 
and create positive changes on our own initiative. 
While conservatism and self-protection
might be likened to winter, night and death, 
the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize 
the ideals evokes the images of spring,
morning and birth.

DO gongyo and chant daimoku with a fresh spirit. 
And, filled with renewed vitality, 
build a history of accumulating fresh benefit.

Gurpreet's Experience!

(Note to readers: this is an experience from an SGI member and reader of this blog. Nichiren Buddhism has no dress code. People dress however they wish.) 

Hello everyone, I am Gurpreet practicing this philosophy for almost 5 years.

I lost my mother when I was 5, my father was left with a 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter living in a joint family. 

At early stages, I missed my mother badly and my life was seeking love and attention from every corner. Gradually I was turning indisciplined, neglecting studies and getting myself into bad company. 

After some time my father got remarried. The inclusion of my step-mother was a bliss to us, but due to the negative influences I created an evil image of my step-mother in my mind. 

Relation was never smooth b/w me and my mother and at times there was intense discord between my parents due to me. Things were so distorted between us that we couldn’t imagine us being together for more than 15 mins . Ultimately my mother started giving up on me and we didn’t speak to each other for many months . I always thought of abandoning her when I get settled in my career and life, I longed for peace and felt emptiness or void in my life.

Between all this my mother gave birth to a daughter and we shifted to a new separate house. But at new place also there seemed no imminent end to our heated arguments.

In 2010 when I was struggling in my career, I got introduced to this practice, I had resigned from my job was jobless. Within a month I started chanting for almost 1.5 hours a day,   members embraced me with  warmth and guided me to chant to find the right job. 

One day while chanting rigorously I was struck by a thought and was in tears. The thought was, I will never succeed in my career till I don’t start respecting my mother, suddenly her entire struggles for raising us were flashed in my brain. I couldn’t control myself and called up a senior leader to meet. The leader  told me that this is called confronting your true self and from here on your relationship with your mother will be fixed.

Transformation at the heart was done, my heart desired to sit with my mother and talk to her, I insisted her to have dinner together daily. 

As our mentor says , “It is the heart that is important”.

Friends now  ~ whenever I think of my mother my heart is filled with unconditional love for her. Lately during her retirement function I was asked to speak a few words on the dice, there I happily declared that my entire being, every achievement is only because she took care of my well being by staking her needs. There is a lot of peace and composure at our home and we are enjoying our lives and comfort immensely with each other. Here I am not trying to communicate that we never enter into a debate now, we do, but I am the first one to withdraw myself without giving a feeling of disrespect . 

 Recently I received a compliment from my step-sister , she said that Gurpreet my brother is my best friend with whom I can open up. Dear all,I am proud to share that she is an active Gakkai member from last 6 months and is doing well.  

I will quote a Gosho line here, "Misfortune comes from one’s mouth and ruins one, but fortune comes from one’s heart and makes one worthy of respect.”  

In my family my parents and siblings feel comfort, joy and excitement whenever they are with me.

As the things were getting fixed at home I received another benefit when mystically I got a job in the profile of my choice, where I got the opportunity to work hard and nurture myself.

I would like to report one victory at the job front too. There was a time when my company started posting losses and we saw many manpower layoff initiatives, also we were imposed monthly salary deductions. I sought guidance and asked the senior leader when I am performing well at work , supporting members and chanting abundant daimoku then why am I facing such a situation? During the  guidance I understood that I am a part of an organization, society, etc hence I can’t grow in isolation, I need to chant for my company to grow substantially. 

I also read a Gosho line that became power source for me: “Misfortune will change into fortune, muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon then what is there that cannot be achieved”

I chanted with all my might and the situation transformed. My company’s share value which dropped down to Rs 12 from Rs.48 in 10 months in now stable at Rs.70 which is the highest in 3 years. We had bagged many overseas orders, our market share and margins have improved in domestic market and we posted a profit .

All these benefits are due to chanting abundant daimoku and efforts to take care of members and help them realize absolute happiness. Daimoku is working in all aspects of my life and now after 5 years of vigorous training I started feeling joy while chanting daimoku and doing gakkai activities. 

Dear friends this is my last meeting with fellow members here and I deeply grateful to everybody for their kind support and giving me direction. 

In the end I will like to share a determination – I determine to make continuous efforts to become more responsible human being and a valuable asset for society. I also determine to fulfill my parents desire as they want me to get married soon, which is my desire too. 

 Thanks and I Wish u all of lot of good fortune.

"Ho-nim-myo" - From this Moment Forth...Each Moment Begins A New Life

My heart is filled with appreciation for you. 

Yesterday I felt the spirit of "Ho-nim-myo" (meaning "from this moment forth") the Buddhist phrase our practice uses to signify that this moment is the decisive eternal moment. The past does not matter. The present and the future are all now. Each moment begins life anew. Each moment can be full of hope, vibrancy and energy.   

Yesterday, all day long, I could feel the Daimoku you have chanted for my son Ben and me...and I felt as if all of you who have written me were right by our sides all day long. Many of your emails came to me in times when I needed them most, when the way seemed impossible and my heart was so full. Each and every one of you are forever embedded in my heart.

Isn't it amazing really? Every day I chant to write a blog that touches your hearts...that will be exactly what you need to hear so you can get back in front of the Gohonzon, connect even more deply to Sensei and the SGI, wipe the tears from your eyes and say "YES. I can do this! NOW I can do this!" And your words come to me and touch my heart in exactly the same way. 

Yesterday was the first day in more than six months that Ben and I were able to spend time outside in fresh air.  

He is now living in the town where I was born, Evanston Illinois. My family moved from there when I was a baby, but I have always loved this liberal gem of a town on the shore of Lake Michigan. Together, we drove the beautiful blossom-filled streets, and explored this new world. 

It was a warm, breezy sunshiny day. I took him to a place I've loved since I was a child, right by the lake, and we sat together taking in the beauty. 

I looked up and every cell in my body rose together in gratitude for the life of this boy - this boy who can feel the sun on his face and the breeze on his skin - this boy who can write, and learn, and laugh and love. And I could feel your Daimoku. I could feel each and every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. And in the silence I let tears of appreciation roll from my eyes. 

And we went to the beautiful Evanston Art Center - on the lake by the lighthouse -  where they were having a show on Art Therapy - of all things. 

We wandered outside and found ourselves in the garden between the building and the dunes and the lake. And we just sat on the bench looking at the water - two sunlight and warmth-starved souls soaking it up for the first time in forever. It has been a long winter. But as we know, "Winter always turns to spring."

Next we headed to the beach and soaked in the energy of the earth while laying in the sand ~  with nowhere pressing to go and nothing to do...just us and the sky and the birds, the water and kite-flying children...on a Sunday before memorial day weekend (the official start of summer in America) - when all is quiet and calm. I felt that all is possible - everything is possible - I can touch my dreams. We can all make the impossible possible. 

The day was winding down and we followed it. 

And we found ourselves again outside in the sun at a restaurant called, I think, "Lyfe." Where we had food that tasted like the best food we'd ever had. Ben says Evanston is like Disneyland, only better. Everything enchants him. Imagine - bike lanes painted green that cars can't drive in - and public garages with plug-ins for electric cars...and street signs saying "You are beautiful." Here he can have a fresh start towards a beautiful future. 

So I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and kind, kind words. We truly are a Gakkai Family. We are fortunate beyond words to all have each other. 

If I can be here today writing these words to you today - YOU can achieve whatever happiness you wish. 

Thank you my friends.