A Song for you by John Denver - "For You"

John Denver ~ part of my heart and soul. 
I share this beautiful song with you from my heart to yours. 
I hope you enjoy it. You can find many more of his songs on YouTube. His heart was Buddhist, his life was lived for the entire world. He was a great and positive influence in my life from my earliest days ... and he still is...his music...his heart...lives forever! 

A few short days from now, on October 7th I'll be heading to Aspen Colorado to join a group of people who convene there every year to sing his songs, to laugh, to hike, and to be together! That a thrill!

This morning I chanted for two hours as if it were two minutes. One month from today I will complete 30 years of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon. 
I am in a deep dialogue with my life to have peace of mind, a feeling of flowing at one with the universe, happiness and purpose...

I'll be chanting two hours a day between now and my anniversary...and writing my goals. Join me! You can set your sights on any date you please, November 18th, or a significant date for you. There are no hard and fast "rules" to creating your own campaign...it is whatever works for you. I want to dig deeper...to understand more fully, and to dance as the Boddhisatva I AM...along with YOU my dear friends! 

What Does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Mean, and Why Do We Chant It? For Sharing...

What does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo mean, 

and why do we chant it? 

By Jamie Lee Silver of ChantforHappiness.com - 

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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.

All quotes from Ikedaquotes.org

Loving Chanting Daimoku = Loving the Moment

A few days ago I saw a picture on Facebook. It was a much older woman, next to a younger woman saying "time flies" enjoy the moment. And it really made me reflect. 

When I was a young mother I knew I had to enjoy the moments with my kids...I wanted to freeze time. I cried at every year's "first day of school" and wished they could stay young forever. Yes. 

But many times now, I just feel I want to speed things up...like I have to get TO somewhere...but I'm not sure where...just moving...and moving...

And although I feel appreciation in my heart...sometimes I don't "stop to smell the roses." I think it is partly the time we are in...the culture we belong to...we are all in such a hurry, right? (At least here int he States)

Seeing this picture of the old woman telling the young woman how time flies, I decided to experiment with chanting a little more slowly, and relishing each Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. A mentor of mine in San Francisco said you should approach the Gohonzon as if you were approaching a lover...or eating the finest food. Relishing each moment. 

So I slowed it down for part of my hour. 

Later that day, after an energy alignment session with my dear friend Joy, of Path to Joy Wellness, I went for a walk, and decided to just enjoy moving my body, not going as fast as I usually do. 

Now, I don't think I got a great aerobic workout, but I sure did love being in my body...feeling the air, moving my hips. It just felt so good....

So, I'm not saying we should slow down or speed up chanting...I think the speed we chant is up to each person. I just thought this was interesting and wanted to share it with you. 

Just FIVE More Minutes~* YOU Can Do It! Persevere!

"When you think, “I can’t do anymore. I need a break,” that is the time to challenge yourself to keep going another five minutes. Those who persevere for even an extra five minutes will win in life."

Daisaku Ikeda, Ikedaquotes.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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This blog is written by Jamie Lee Silver, an SGI member for 30 years as of October 20th this year. I do not speak officially for the SGI, although I am an active member. I speak from my own heart.)

Just FIVE more minutes! Or just START with FIVE minutes. That's what I did. When I first began chanting the name of the Mystic law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I could only chant for five minutes in the morning and the evening. And those FIVE minutes were not easy ~ I will tell you!. I kept a timer next to me and sometimes really struggled. 

I hear from some of you how hard it is to chant, and that your life is really hard, and believe me, I get it. I know how hard life can be and I know how hard it can be to chant. I really mean this. I also know that when I challenge myself to complete gongyo, to complete the time I've set aside to chant, and to wake up early to get that hour in  - well, it makes the REST of my life go that much more smoothly. No doubt. No doubt. 

I hear from you "I can't chant" and I say "that is an obstacle! You can overcome it! " ...Find someone to chant with...make yourself chant...go for FIVE minutes and it will change your life. Do it every morning and evening and you are on your way - you are tuning your life to the rhythm of the universe. 
I've also had questions about chanting in your head. Does it work...is it enough? 

Yes, obstacles occur. They HAVE to occur and they are supposed to occur. Our attitude about those obstacles defines who we are and what we achieve. I just had one of the biggest obstacles, right? It feels funny even calling the death of my son an "obstacle," but, that's what it was. And I have a choice...will I be fooled by this...stop chanting...say "Oh chanting doesn't work..." or will I be fueled by this and say "BECAUSE of this, not in spite of it, I will make my life that much stronger and I will help more people than ever?" You know what I chose. 

It is a choice. And it is up to us. 

My birthday is coming. September 22nd. My first birthday without my boy. And Aaron is gone too, He's in LA doing a rotation for his fourth year of Medical School. The thought of my birthday this year fills me with emotion.  

AND I lost my two favorite rings. I have looked everywhere...except where they ARE! And I knew I should not wear the tiny ring I bought for myself when Ben went through a terrible time and survived, with my grandmother's tiny little diamond ring. I wore them together, took them off somewhere and now they are gone. This one is tough to get out of my mind because I am so mad at myself. I am chanting to find them. They must be somewhere! 

So my birthday is next week. If anyone wants to send a birthday greeting my address is Jamie Lee Silver, 17w702 Butterfield, #104, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. Your messages and cards always light up my day. 

This week I am giving a keynote speech. It's called "Lessons for Living Healthier Lives." And I think there will be about 300 people there. Friday. The day starts early. Very exciting.  

Chant for What You Want...

Do we really have faith? Or are we just "hoping" without making strong determinations?

I was talking to a friend in faith yesterday and he mentioned that something happened in his job recently and he was "chanting to adjust to it." He is a driver for a non-profit. He drives mentally and physically challenged adults to the place they do their work. 

A few weeks ago one of his favorite riders was taken off his route. This rider was someone he really loved. He felt he made a difference in his life by singing and joking every morning. He said whenever he sees him, his ex-rider starts to cry because he misses being driven by my friend. 

And my friend told me he was chanting to adjust to this...chanting so he doesn't feel so bad about it.... 
I said, "Hmmm, why not chant and take action to get this rider back? You can make a determination, chant, and make sure someone in a position of authority sees him the next time he is crying because he misses you." 

Well, my friend though this was an excellent idea and he's going to do just that.

After the conversation, I thought about us all. How often do we chant to accept something when we really could be chanting to change it? Interesting thought, right? 

We are so much stronger than we know! 

GO Buddha GO! A Buddhist Victory!

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Last week, I wrote about a member who was having trouble connecting with SGI members who lived by her. She had recently moved and found herself in circumstances she didn't like...AND she couldn't connect. 

Sometimes everything is hard, right? 

I told her that every bit of energy she spends making the connection happen...calling the nearest culture center, then calling the numbers she is given...until she gets the result...FINDING the SGI members near her will power her life. THAT energy will power her life forward. THAT energy is a great cause for her happiness! I said it is the mentee's responsibility to connect with the mentor. Chant to connect with members who inspire you! Chant about it and take the action...make the cause. Make it happen!  

And, guess what? She just called, all excited, because she found out there are TWO members walking distance from her who are welcoming and helping her. A new journey of faith has begun for her and she is so excited about the possibilities of her new life. She doesn't know exactly what will unfold, but she has fire, happiness, excitement and HOPE! 

The causes we make are important! Now she has momentum. She took responsibility to CREATE mentors, and now she has energy and enthusiasm and she will change this setback and turn it into a victory. 

It IS that easy. 

Once we recognize, that, as Sensei says, we are the protagonists in our own movie, and take responsibility to change - we become UNSTOPPABLE! 

GO BUDDHA GO! She totally made my day! 

PowerPrayer to Ignite and Focus Our Inner Resolve

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Last night's Downers' Grove District's Gosho Study Meeting was fantastic. I appreciate Takahashi, who studied, prepared and presented a great study meeting for us. 

The Gosho was "The Gift of Rice" and he began by saying we should feel that THIS moment is the first time, first day, first moment,to learn this Gosho...no matter how many times we have read it before.

I think that's a great attitude to have towards so many things! 

The first quote that jumped out at me from the Gosho was "When we carefully consider what exactly "earnest resolve" refers to, it is the doctrine of observing the mind." 
(From the Gift of Rice by Nichiren Daishonin, Living Buddhism September 2015, page 29)

President Ikeda goes on to say "Everything is determined by the direction in which our "earnest resolve" orients our minds. When we focus our "earnest resolve" on our Buddhist practice, believing and practicing the Mystic Law that enables all people to attain enlightenment, our inner Buddhahood reveals itself, pervading our lives and the environment." 
LB, 9/15, page 38

And one of the members related an experience from this month's World Peace Prayer meeting on Sunday (Kosen-Rufu Gongyo). I wasn't there because I was in the air flying home from Cape Cod. 

She related Akemi Bailey Haynie's experience.  

She said Akeymi related that one day she heard her mother cry out from a nightmare, and realized that her mother had been having nightmares every night. (Her mother is a survivor of the WWII bombings in Japan). Akeymi developed a deep resolve in her heart and sat down and chanted 15 minutes of focused Daimoku that her mother would NEVER AGAIN have another nightmare. She reached that level of "now or never" or "NO WAY!" that is so powerful, and her Mom never had another nightmare. 

We all have this power in our lives. Sensei tells us this every day. When we are in front of the Gohonzon it is up to us to summon this resolve, and to focus our minds.

We all have this power! Today I offer you: 

PowerPrayer to Ignite and Focus
Our Inner Resolve
by Jamie Lee Silver from ChantforHappiness.com

LIFE! 
Now it the crucial moment! 
THIS MOMENT 
While I am chanting I am drawing a line in the sand! 
This shall happen:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
and/or THIS shall STOP happening:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I NOW summon all the power vested in me as a worthy votary of the Lotus Sutra. 
My life is Powerful!
My daimoku is Powerful
Shoten Zenjin activate your forces NOW! 
Each Daimoku summons my power!
Each Daimoku has an effect NOW
For the sake of Kosen Rufu, I ignite my vow!
I will show actual proof -  inspire myself, and change the world! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!