World Peace - World Solidarity

As I watch the news over the past couple of days regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris,  I continually keep thinking that if everyone embraced Buddhism this would not have happened. 

Buddhism teaches the basic value of every living person and being.  Buddhism teaches that if we make good causes we get good effects.  Buddhism teaches that we are connected to the forces in nature and that we can positively experience that energy.  If everyone accepted the fact that they were responsible for creating their own happiness and could impact the world for the better, this type of horror would not have happened.  Unfortunately, I know that is not true. 

People who have committed these crimes must have done so because they think they are on the side of right.  Isn't that what drives most of us?  I think everyone acts on beliefs that they hold as true and just.  I am NOT advocating these beliefs or people. I do not understand how anyone can honestly think that taking lives or having such a singular view of anything is justified.  I cannot comprehend how someone has allegiance to something that can hurt someone else. ..........what I really am wondering and asking is how do we find ways to influence these beliefs at the core rather than react to them as manifested?

How can a religion be a positive influence across the world and not a polarizing aspect?  I think of how at one time as a young girl I was taught that anyone who was not Catholic would not go to heaven.  I remember being taught that if you were not baptized a person's soul would end up in hell.  I have witnessed someone telling someone Jewish that they needed to convert in order to be 'saved'.  I walked away from a theater discussion recently where they were talking about "them"  as Islam was discussed and someone in the audience made everyone into a generalized group of misguided individuals.

These biases or limited truths are prevalent throughout our world.  I have them, you have them, they exist.  As a Buddhist I work to understand and overcome them.  As a Buddhist I am open to dialogue where we put our misunderstandings on the table and most importantly look at our sameness that connects us. 

Past, present and future needs to come together and we need to understand how to honor and celebrate our oneness.  We need solidarity and shared purpose of having world peace. 

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me..........we must chant for heartfelt change of core beliefs that divide us and pray for recognition and acceptance of core beliefs that join us. 

Practicing As and HOW I Am

It has been awhile since I posted on this blog...........not because I have not had some aha moments, not because I am not experiencing my human revolution, but mostly because I am busy and using this practice in the busy and hecticness of my life. 

I have often thought and knew that while chanting and saying Gonyo I was able to put some calm and order into my life.  In the past few weeks, that calm and order is there, but it is fleeting in a good way.  I am still chanting my 1/2 hour every morning and doing Gonyo.  I and am 88% consistent chanting every evening and doing Gonyo.  However in the past, I have used these moments to quiet me, to put things in a momentary peaceful state and felt that I has achieved what was meant to be.

How wrong and right I am.

Sometimes our life condition allows us to take a respite at different times in the day where we can calmly look at what is going on in our lives.  We can be thankful for the small victories and wins and know that we are moving in a positive direction.  However at other times, (and this is my current life condition) it is not about having a consistent and predictable existence, but about how to enjoy and have peace in all of the chaos and energy that is flowing.

As I am trying to determine what "pre-tirement" is and looks like for me, I have tried to make the most of each day.  I have tried to catch up on things that I intended to do one day and I am trying to enjoy each moment as it comes my way.  As I face each event or situation I am okay with a bit of self examination and determining if I am growing, giving or getting in the process. 

My chanting each morning and night is more centered around what being the best and bringing out my Buddha nature look like.  I know my next step is to determine what I want and take action..........but I am finding that for the moment, living in the action and determining me is a needed step too.

As long as it is a few steps - and it does not become a march or walk without a direction or purpose. 

Obstacles and Devils

As I have been growing and learning over the past years,  have heard many times that when you are on the correct path of this Buddhist practice you may encounter the three obstacles and four Devils. And while I would nod and agree I tended to think I was personally creating my obstacles and was personally my own devil. I knew that my own tendencies often sabotaged me and that if I could only control them I would eliminate them.

I looked at everything negative going on as a test and that with perseverance and self control I would put the bad parts of me behind and then I could be victorious. Get rid of your old habits, your old thinking patterns, your old feelings and find new ones. That is what it means to be a winner.

In the past couple of weeks I am viewing the obstacles and Devils I am facing differently.  What I have been dealing with is part of strengthening my faith not testing it. I don't need to be someone else or do something else. I really need to trust myself and remain confident that I am the person I am intended to be.  What I am realizing is that experiencing  a hardship is what allows me to bring out wisdom, courage and compassion for myself and others.

The easy part for me is the ability to be there for others. The struggle I have had is to be there for me.

After studying the Teachings for Victory by "Sensei", it opened my eyes to the fact that I have been given the opportunity to show my faith and remain true to myself.  This is not a test.....this is life and it is one of absolute happiness that can only be lived by living.

If not now, When.....

I will officially be unemployed on Friday, the 9th.  While I know that part of it is a result of my karmic tendencies to create unhealthy work situations, what I am so happy about is that I took the courage to say enough....

What I am able to do this time is admit that I have contributed to causing this situation and therefore can take responsibility to know that it has reached a place that cannot be fixed.  In the past I would hang in there forever, continue to blame the other person, be the victim and then leave in shame.  This time I know that I am no longer committed to the job, the company and even the city I live in and that needs to change.

Buddhism is part of every day.  It is not just bringing it out when we are in trouble, not just having faith when facing adversity.  Buddhism is about creating a life of absolute happiness.  Too often in the past, I waited for it to come to me.....even though I knew that I was responsible for creating it. 

Having the courage to remove myself from a life that I no longer want is the first step.  It is my time, NOW to define what a healthy and happy life looks like.  It my time NOW to take action to put myself in the right place to have a life condition of happiness.  It is my time NOW, to prove to others that having faith and taking action as part of my Buddhist practice is what will lead me to my happy life. 

I am doing this NOW, and I know that with the Gohonzon I will accomplish my goals and continue in this human revolution. 

Chanting is the Blessing that Helps Being Human

How many opportunities do you need in one day or even two days to demonstrate that you have a Buddha nature inside you that is just waiting to show itself? 

I started out this weekend thinking I was in rhythm with the universe and that I was going to be the model daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.  I have been aware of my past actions, my past thoughts and anticipating my current reality and just knew that I was prepared and in a good place to accept all that came my way..............

NOT....this is the part of our human revolution.  It is not the intellectual part, but the emotional part that I continue to be challenged by.   This weekend I struggled to be the kind and loving daughter I have chanted and thought I came to that place:  I struggled to be the supporting and loving sister I need to be to avoid any drama and estrangement as we deal with mom and her aging; and I struggled to be the loving mom that was all about the kids and not about me........

At the end of the day, my actions did not put a separation between where I want to be and where I am - but my mental angst was constantly in flux. 

I am thankful and so appreciative that there is a quick and easy way to deal with all of the issues.  As I feel myself getting out of sync with the rhythms of the universe I begin chanting and a peacefulness and calm takes over. 

I am ever thankful for this practice and know that it keeps me aware of both my humanism and my potential for Buddhism at the same time.  What a gift and blessing.

NamMyohoRengeKyo.

Heart and Faith Victory over the Mind

As I continue to chant and put my trust in the Gohonzon, I am becoming at peace with the challenges that I am experiencing.  I know intellectually that things happen to help us with our human revolution, to help us change our karma, and to strengthen our faith...........but it is getting to the place that you are not using your mind to evaluate and define what is happening that is when you become at peace. 

I know that I am connected to the positive energies in the universe.  I know that I am a strong and resilient person that always come out of things in the end.  I know that I can choose how to view everything in life - I am the author of my life or the victim of my life.  I can look at the challenges as the 'devilish functions' trying to stop me in my practice or I can see them as opportunities to strengthen my faith and prove the power of chanting to the Gohonzon.

What has been the ultimate challenge for me is to stop my mind from trying to be rationale.........and have my heart and faith take the lead.

When that happens, I know and trust that the challenges I am facing are allowing me to bring out my Buddhahood and share this practice with others.

I am victorious.......the challenges are allowing me to shine and show my faith and strength. 

NamMyohoRengeKyo

Daily Challenges - Not a Win or Lose

“While it is important to win, it’s even more important to remain undefeated no matter what happens.”  Daisaku Ikeda

Everyday I am challenged by something.  It could be as simple as deciding what top to wear that does not make me feel fat to how to take care of Mom and make her feel valued from a distance.  The reality is that each of these decisions and actions do not constitute a win.   I still get to work and look in the mirror and realize the top is not flattering.  I call Mom and realize I cannot fix her TV from Chicago and feel guilty that I am not in Grand Rapids.  I am late for a meeting, I ate too much for dinner, I was too tired to study or read, I was too lazy to exercise and had a glass of wine instead.  All daily challenges.

And, these challenges never end.  As long as we continue to breathe and exist, there will be a challenge.  The question is whether overcoming the challenge would really be a victory or win. 

Human Revolution is looking at the things that are causing you unhappiness and are causing you to act in a way that is continuing the cycle.  Once you realize what those things are, you put out a determination to change and begin to take action to ensure you do not continue the cycle.  It is when you stop the pattern, you have a win.  However, while you are doing your work to identify the patterns and deal with the day to day challenges, the key is to not give up.

To give up would be to admit defeat.  But to keep looking at your thoughts, your words and your actions is a victory in itself.  Every challenge we face, allows us to keep on the path of being a winner or to give in and admit failure.

What I love about this Nicherin Buddhist practice is the realization that everyday is my opportunity to not be defeated, and eventually I do win.........