They say you always find the teacher you need when you need them most.
Maybe this is only really true in yoga circles. By this, I mean in the sense of teaching and classes, and not some bizarre new posture for the extra supple to try. But I have a sneaking suspicion that we unwittingly stumble across key people to lead us at special moments. We might not even recognise them as such at the time even. It might well take the passing of time before we even see the guidance they gave us, and the impact they had on our lives.
I've been prompted to realise this by today's Buddhist encouragement. "Those who have a mentor in life are truly fortunate. The path of mentor and disciple is one that leads to personal development and growth. Those without a mentor may appear free and unbeholden to anyone, but without a solid standard or model on which to base themselves their lives will be aimless and wandering."
I guess it makes for a curious spool back to spot all one's wonderful people. I know I was lucky enough to listen to an extraordinary lady explaining Buddhism to me at the start of last year. She recalled this coffee with me yesterday, and it reinforced the moment as we had both experienced it. For her, she had been somewhat taken aback that her words had had such impact on someone. She had so dramatically connected with what I needed to hear, and she had so obviously reached an inner part of me, her captivated listener. Apparently my face was visibly changed at the end of our chat.
For my part, I think her words were like beautiful rain on parched earth. I was stuck in difficult circumstances and with draining emotions. Here was a lady explaining it all to me, and giving me astonishingly clear and simple solutions. I remember being enthralled, and realising I had to listen and absorb with every ounce of my being. I was vividly tuned in to the moment, as one is on such rare occasions.
Looking back now, I shudder to think how my entrenched problems might have escalated if she hadn't talked to me. It's almost imposible to imagine having pulled through without this wonderful life line. I am so deeply indebted to her and her impeccable timing. It's completely apparent that this gave me the strength and insight to get through the end of the darkest period of my life.
And today, I was back in the very same cafe when an acquaintance started to ask me about my chanting. I belive she is encountering great waves of stress and hardships in her family and professional life, and she's been doing yoga and meditating like a pro for years. But I shied away from giving her even the slightest spiel, and I wonder now whether I should have seized the moment. How does one know when to divulge and to encourage? It's a tricky one, and I did opt out this time.
Maybe next time I should just gulp my coffee for courage, and launch into my "beginner's cafe guide to Buddhism"?
Nam myoho renge kyo
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Monday, 2 July 2007
Holding up a mirror
I was signed up for my special scroll for chanting to today. It's the first really big step I've taken to commiting properly to this practice. It also means I'm serious about making chanting an enduring part of my life. Gulp.
But then I'm not really gulping that much. It's an honour to be approved for this very special representation in writing and paper of Nichiren's Buddhism. In receiving the scroll with the beautiful flowing characters inscribed on it, you are recognising and accepting the whole package. In effect.So it's like being offered an invite to the party of the year, but with no strings attrached and just the offer of a fantastically life-changing time ahead.
The scroll is typically the focal point for a Buddhist to sit and chant at. Twice a day, one should be on one's knees (or seated however most comfy short of slumped supine) belting out a good ol' session for all one's worth. Roaring like a lion as I mentioned before. What a beautiful analogy that is. For me, it conveys all the majestic power and energy of the king of beasts, and all focussed on lifting our lives and happiness by just our voices alone.
Naturally I'm itching to get equipped. One's very own Gohonzon, as the scroll is called in it's proper terminology, is said to function very much as as a spiritual mirror. Which means one can clearly see what one needs at any moment. It's a surefire way of getting to the nub of one's problems and perplextities, and seeing the best way through them. As those in the know say "Sitting in front of the Gohonzon and chanting, a person is able to recognize and reveal his or her own Buddha nature, the creative essence of life."
My home and heart are awaiting it's arrival with glee.
Nam myoho renge kyo
But then I'm not really gulping that much. It's an honour to be approved for this very special representation in writing and paper of Nichiren's Buddhism. In receiving the scroll with the beautiful flowing characters inscribed on it, you are recognising and accepting the whole package. In effect.So it's like being offered an invite to the party of the year, but with no strings attrached and just the offer of a fantastically life-changing time ahead.
The scroll is typically the focal point for a Buddhist to sit and chant at. Twice a day, one should be on one's knees (or seated however most comfy short of slumped supine) belting out a good ol' session for all one's worth. Roaring like a lion as I mentioned before. What a beautiful analogy that is. For me, it conveys all the majestic power and energy of the king of beasts, and all focussed on lifting our lives and happiness by just our voices alone.
Naturally I'm itching to get equipped. One's very own Gohonzon, as the scroll is called in it's proper terminology, is said to function very much as as a spiritual mirror. Which means one can clearly see what one needs at any moment. It's a surefire way of getting to the nub of one's problems and perplextities, and seeing the best way through them. As those in the know say "Sitting in front of the Gohonzon and chanting, a person is able to recognize and reveal his or her own Buddha nature, the creative essence of life."
My home and heart are awaiting it's arrival with glee.
Nam myoho renge kyo
Sunday, 1 July 2007
The roar of a lion
There is a well-written and easy to digest American website on my type of Buddhism. It contains a sweet section called "Daily Encouragements" - a bit like the fabulously quaint "Thought for the Day" aired on the National Treasure that is Radio 4.
I've got into the subconscious habit of checking into this for a dose of daily encouragement. Well, we can all do with a helping hand. And especially in something so new and difficult as Buddhism. Today's words were colourful in that chanting is described as being "like the roar of a lion". Of course.
Hmmmm. This wasn't quite the still, small snippet of wisdom I had been expecting. But I've had the words in mind all day, and I like them more and more. They make perfect sense if you let them just sit in your mental inbox for a while.
I had infact popped into see a friend on the way to the gym earlier. She is just beginning to chant as a newbie Buddhist, although already a survivor of strength and an all-round beautiful soul. I am but one page ahead of her in the manual, so to speak.
We sat and chatted about this and that. We laughed at how weird it can feel to start - reciting medieval Japanese out loud to oneself. Taken out of context, yes we could appear to be somewhat barmy, or even of the "talking to oneself" nutty brigade. But it's a comforting practice to feel the vibrations of the poetic words resonate in your throat and chest. It's a strengthening act to know your polishing your vision, and building your spiritual muscles. How apt that I was sitting there in my gym kit, on the way to hone my pyhsical body on the treadmill...
My friend was keen to download an MP3 to chant along to. So online we jolly well went, and fiddled about with her painfully clunky dial-up and old Window's interface. Seemingly aeons latter, we gave up but promised to meet tomorrow for a local group session.
Chatting to her with my tiny morsel of knowledge made me aware of how far I've come in only 6 months. I can actually get through both sections of chanting without humilating myself dramatically. My pronunciation won't win me any prizes - but I'm at least putting on a good show. And I've benefitted enormously from the inner strength and calm it confers already. I can't imagine coping with my drop-dead deadlines and financial pressures now without this powerful invocation. I so much want my friend to feel this empowering force too.
Induge me with the roaring lion encouragement, if you will. It's the simplest of instructions ever, but it has made the profoundest of all differences. "It is by chanting powerful daimoku, like a lion's roar, that we can move the Buddhist deities, the protective forces of the universe. The voice is very important-it has profound power. While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope you will endeavor to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku that reaches all the Buddhist deities and Buddhas throughout the 10 directions."
Nam myoho renge kyo
I've got into the subconscious habit of checking into this for a dose of daily encouragement. Well, we can all do with a helping hand. And especially in something so new and difficult as Buddhism. Today's words were colourful in that chanting is described as being "like the roar of a lion". Of course.
Hmmmm. This wasn't quite the still, small snippet of wisdom I had been expecting. But I've had the words in mind all day, and I like them more and more. They make perfect sense if you let them just sit in your mental inbox for a while.
I had infact popped into see a friend on the way to the gym earlier. She is just beginning to chant as a newbie Buddhist, although already a survivor of strength and an all-round beautiful soul. I am but one page ahead of her in the manual, so to speak.
We sat and chatted about this and that. We laughed at how weird it can feel to start - reciting medieval Japanese out loud to oneself. Taken out of context, yes we could appear to be somewhat barmy, or even of the "talking to oneself" nutty brigade. But it's a comforting practice to feel the vibrations of the poetic words resonate in your throat and chest. It's a strengthening act to know your polishing your vision, and building your spiritual muscles. How apt that I was sitting there in my gym kit, on the way to hone my pyhsical body on the treadmill...
My friend was keen to download an MP3 to chant along to. So online we jolly well went, and fiddled about with her painfully clunky dial-up and old Window's interface. Seemingly aeons latter, we gave up but promised to meet tomorrow for a local group session.
Chatting to her with my tiny morsel of knowledge made me aware of how far I've come in only 6 months. I can actually get through both sections of chanting without humilating myself dramatically. My pronunciation won't win me any prizes - but I'm at least putting on a good show. And I've benefitted enormously from the inner strength and calm it confers already. I can't imagine coping with my drop-dead deadlines and financial pressures now without this powerful invocation. I so much want my friend to feel this empowering force too.
Induge me with the roaring lion encouragement, if you will. It's the simplest of instructions ever, but it has made the profoundest of all differences. "It is by chanting powerful daimoku, like a lion's roar, that we can move the Buddhist deities, the protective forces of the universe. The voice is very important-it has profound power. While naturally being careful not to disturb your neighbors, I hope you will endeavor to chant cheerful and powerful daimoku that reaches all the Buddhist deities and Buddhas throughout the 10 directions."
Nam myoho renge kyo
Saturday, 30 June 2007
My home is a temple!
Gosh how can one blink and 3 weeks pass by so quick? It's good to be back to normal life again, and to normal problems. Rather than the particulary painful ones of getting domestically connected(cable and broadband related especially), bedding in a small child (much in the way of a tender young plant), and unpacking the clothes and clobber to some vaguely sensible places. It all takes up so much extra precious energy, and it really is about as much fun as a loo queue at a rainy summer festival. But hey..
My budding Buddhism has survived the move in very good shape. Not that it wouldn't. I'm also the blushingly proud owner of a beautiful dark wood Butsudan. It's a wooden cabinet basically. It's set to hold my soon-to-be-acquired "Gohonzon" srcoll for all my everyday chanting purposes. And like my flat around it, the cabinet altar has all the potential of becoming a beautiful little space. I'm fascintated about the rituals and symbolism of these exotic altars at the heart of a Buddhist home.
There's nothing even remotely British or European to compare them to. Our living rooms are so dominated by big TV sreens or computers, or a fireplace and pictures if we're less wired. We just don't seem to bring spiritual icons or images into our homes here. Unless we are passionately Catholic and South Mediterranen I guess.
But cabinets just like my burnished wood one are widely used in the East to house Buddhist scrolls. Imagine some weird parallel Britain with one in every home! Anyway, I'm all set to seek out some special objects for it. Apparently the form is to use candlesticks, incense burners, bells, and foliage or plants.
The word Butsudan apparently means "Buddha's House" in Japanese. Which is kinda cute, and descriptive of how is really a home within a home. It's used as the focal point for all-important daily chanting, so one doesn't end up foolishily blinking at a bare wall or worse.
Font of online wisdom Wilkipedia states is houses "a scroll with writing or pictures of the Buddha and can be found in the highest and central point. Water and food (usually fruits or rice) is served beneath the statue or scroll. An Incenese burner is also found beneath the statue also in the center. Candles and flowers or evergreens are found surrounding the incense burners. Below that can be found the Buddhist bell rung during recitation of prayers."
So I'm confident I'm on the right track with this. I'm eager to adorn my new Butsudan, and generally give it a great big hug. It's also a lot more inspiring than shuffling the old furniture around, putting up yet more Ikea pictures, and repainting the walls mentally.
Nam myoho renge kyo.
My budding Buddhism has survived the move in very good shape. Not that it wouldn't. I'm also the blushingly proud owner of a beautiful dark wood Butsudan. It's a wooden cabinet basically. It's set to hold my soon-to-be-acquired "Gohonzon" srcoll for all my everyday chanting purposes. And like my flat around it, the cabinet altar has all the potential of becoming a beautiful little space. I'm fascintated about the rituals and symbolism of these exotic altars at the heart of a Buddhist home.
There's nothing even remotely British or European to compare them to. Our living rooms are so dominated by big TV sreens or computers, or a fireplace and pictures if we're less wired. We just don't seem to bring spiritual icons or images into our homes here. Unless we are passionately Catholic and South Mediterranen I guess.
But cabinets just like my burnished wood one are widely used in the East to house Buddhist scrolls. Imagine some weird parallel Britain with one in every home! Anyway, I'm all set to seek out some special objects for it. Apparently the form is to use candlesticks, incense burners, bells, and foliage or plants.
The word Butsudan apparently means "Buddha's House" in Japanese. Which is kinda cute, and descriptive of how is really a home within a home. It's used as the focal point for all-important daily chanting, so one doesn't end up foolishily blinking at a bare wall or worse.
Font of online wisdom Wilkipedia states is houses "a scroll with writing or pictures of the Buddha and can be found in the highest and central point. Water and food (usually fruits or rice) is served beneath the statue or scroll. An Incenese burner is also found beneath the statue also in the center. Candles and flowers or evergreens are found surrounding the incense burners. Below that can be found the Buddhist bell rung during recitation of prayers."
So I'm confident I'm on the right track with this. I'm eager to adorn my new Butsudan, and generally give it a great big hug. It's also a lot more inspiring than shuffling the old furniture around, putting up yet more Ikea pictures, and repainting the walls mentally.
Nam myoho renge kyo.
Sunday, 10 June 2007
Back again shortly
Last days and goodbyes tend to be difficult I know. But in this case of moving home, I've been forced into seeming denial on my final day. In an extraordinary gesture, I've totally bunked off bubble wrap duty and allowed myself to be taken to a traditional steam fair. It all sounds frivolous and in fact borderline reckless, I grant you. But it does make perfect sense given the baking heat and my one-on-one child caring. The packing will have to wait. Probably for the dead hours of tonight and the crack of tomorrow's dawn.
I'm still contemplating the states of Buddhist being though. In between the dodgems and popcorn, the various different inner conditions have been flowing through my body. Rather like eating from a variety selection of family chocolates. I've been opting for the soft-centred tranquility cremes when I can, but I've come across a fair selection of nutty, hard anger and hunger chewy ones too.
It's just been too hot and sticky to aspire to a higher plane. Muggy weather and moving seem to block refined conduct. My innate desire for improvement is still there, much in the way I've harboured a secret wish list for the type of place I'm trying to move too. The local estate agents have been highly skilled in matching me to places bearing only a passing resemblance. So in this respect, I'm holding out for a place that's practical but not the best possible.
Meanwhile, over on the Buddhist ladder, I'm far more sure of moving up the inner world's scale. Given I feel largely past the lower, reactive inner states - see yesterday's post - I'm quietly aiming to sign for the more gracious settings of "Learning" and "Realization". To quote the Big American Boys, "people in these states have won a measure of independence and are no longer prisoner to their own reactions."
These more des res ways of operating require degrees of deliberate effort. They are the only way to really get ahead in Buddhism. They represent half of what is enticingly termed the "four noble worlds" and are truly worth working for. In Buddhist terms, "learning" is when we are actively looking for knowledge, from official swotty sources to those cosy chats over coffeee or a bottle of wine."Realization" kicks in when we start squaring up our new ideas in our own way.
So, back on the home front, I plan to take a week off posting. Not that anyone will miss me apart from my imaginary reader. I'm probably offline until I get settled again. And I may even come back as better on the inside...
Nam myoho renge kyo.
I'm still contemplating the states of Buddhist being though. In between the dodgems and popcorn, the various different inner conditions have been flowing through my body. Rather like eating from a variety selection of family chocolates. I've been opting for the soft-centred tranquility cremes when I can, but I've come across a fair selection of nutty, hard anger and hunger chewy ones too.
It's just been too hot and sticky to aspire to a higher plane. Muggy weather and moving seem to block refined conduct. My innate desire for improvement is still there, much in the way I've harboured a secret wish list for the type of place I'm trying to move too. The local estate agents have been highly skilled in matching me to places bearing only a passing resemblance. So in this respect, I'm holding out for a place that's practical but not the best possible.
Meanwhile, over on the Buddhist ladder, I'm far more sure of moving up the inner world's scale. Given I feel largely past the lower, reactive inner states - see yesterday's post - I'm quietly aiming to sign for the more gracious settings of "Learning" and "Realization". To quote the Big American Boys, "people in these states have won a measure of independence and are no longer prisoner to their own reactions."
These more des res ways of operating require degrees of deliberate effort. They are the only way to really get ahead in Buddhism. They represent half of what is enticingly termed the "four noble worlds" and are truly worth working for. In Buddhist terms, "learning" is when we are actively looking for knowledge, from official swotty sources to those cosy chats over coffeee or a bottle of wine."Realization" kicks in when we start squaring up our new ideas in our own way.
So, back on the home front, I plan to take a week off posting. Not that anyone will miss me apart from my imaginary reader. I'm probably offline until I get settled again. And I may even come back as better on the inside...
Nam myoho renge kyo.
Saturday, 9 June 2007
The way of the worlds
Given that I am on the cusp of moving home, to as of yet uncertain location, whilst also staging a scary large business event and negotiating my first complex commercial banking arrangement, I have been feeling stressed. Well probably a mixture of the six "lower states" actually. And quite understandably I'd suggest.
I'd hoped to stay in the calm, happy space my chanting has created. To a Buddhist, this might be recognisable as a state of tranquility. It's not a bad place to be in the scheme of things - about a C for effort in overall Buddha School marks. I do have fleeting moments in the zone, but they pass all too soon. Those big bad nasties creep right back up behind me.
All of which brings me to the spectrum of states you can be in as a Buddhist. Consciously or otherwise, and probably through the bottom of any empty glass, in my weak-willed experience. Looked at like this, I could just about say I have been to hell and back, and be able to justify the expression.
In Buddhism, there are ten inner ways of being. They are always with us, and we just shift from one to another. We're blindly getting on with reacting to what is happening to us. It's all about how we are in the moment.
There is also a hierachy in all of this. It starts with our lowest, darkest state of life coloured by pain. Ths is "hell". It's the hard rock of our genuine suffering and despair, and gives us that flight and fight urge. Moving up, we can feel "hunger" - the everyday desire for money, power and status. I'd put this as the spiritual triumphate of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. Not surprisingly, these can feel wonderfully glamourously and inordinately attractive. Austin Power's Yeah Baby attractive.
Up another step and we can be animal-like and ruled by our instincts. Reason and morals can go out of the window in the jungle. Up one step again and we can hit anger - the egotistic sort of selfish-centred, one-up type of hair flicking superiority. Miss Piggy barging through and demanding things.
Ah but then we can reach the welcoming flat plains of tranquillity. It's a sort of base camp on the assult to higher things. We might shift temporarily from this onto moments of bliss - well if you've got a good love life,won a lottery ticket, or just got lucky in the sales that is. You know the deal.
Put together as a package, we have the "six paths" or "six lower worlds" of Buddhism, all callously shoving us around. No wonder we rattle between them like a demented commuter on a wild rush hour. We're just trying to get somewhere, like everyone else, and having a rough ride on the way.
Which is pretty much where I've been at today. I've been pushed and pulled by my demanding little one, on the go since dawn. This is tiring enough, as all us moaning and middle-aged mummies will testify. But I've also had to squeeze in all the other practial bits as well - the moving out packing and planning, and the urgent business problem solving by email, text and phone. I've got a three-lane motorway running through my tranquility. It's tough not ending up in the state of lower world-ville, believe me! I need to chant and connect.
Nam myoho renge kyo
I'd hoped to stay in the calm, happy space my chanting has created. To a Buddhist, this might be recognisable as a state of tranquility. It's not a bad place to be in the scheme of things - about a C for effort in overall Buddha School marks. I do have fleeting moments in the zone, but they pass all too soon. Those big bad nasties creep right back up behind me.
All of which brings me to the spectrum of states you can be in as a Buddhist. Consciously or otherwise, and probably through the bottom of any empty glass, in my weak-willed experience. Looked at like this, I could just about say I have been to hell and back, and be able to justify the expression.
In Buddhism, there are ten inner ways of being. They are always with us, and we just shift from one to another. We're blindly getting on with reacting to what is happening to us. It's all about how we are in the moment.
There is also a hierachy in all of this. It starts with our lowest, darkest state of life coloured by pain. Ths is "hell". It's the hard rock of our genuine suffering and despair, and gives us that flight and fight urge. Moving up, we can feel "hunger" - the everyday desire for money, power and status. I'd put this as the spiritual triumphate of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. Not surprisingly, these can feel wonderfully glamourously and inordinately attractive. Austin Power's Yeah Baby attractive.
Up another step and we can be animal-like and ruled by our instincts. Reason and morals can go out of the window in the jungle. Up one step again and we can hit anger - the egotistic sort of selfish-centred, one-up type of hair flicking superiority. Miss Piggy barging through and demanding things.
Ah but then we can reach the welcoming flat plains of tranquillity. It's a sort of base camp on the assult to higher things. We might shift temporarily from this onto moments of bliss - well if you've got a good love life,won a lottery ticket, or just got lucky in the sales that is. You know the deal.
Put together as a package, we have the "six paths" or "six lower worlds" of Buddhism, all callously shoving us around. No wonder we rattle between them like a demented commuter on a wild rush hour. We're just trying to get somewhere, like everyone else, and having a rough ride on the way.
Which is pretty much where I've been at today. I've been pushed and pulled by my demanding little one, on the go since dawn. This is tiring enough, as all us moaning and middle-aged mummies will testify. But I've also had to squeeze in all the other practial bits as well - the moving out packing and planning, and the urgent business problem solving by email, text and phone. I've got a three-lane motorway running through my tranquility. It's tough not ending up in the state of lower world-ville, believe me! I need to chant and connect.
Nam myoho renge kyo
Friday, 8 June 2007
This time it's personal
I'm back on to the question of what Karma is again. I instinctively know it's of paramount importance - the sort of thing that makes or breaks. It's in my mind as I navigate my way through my stormy waters of house moving and business mananging.
Karma, in it's real non-hippie slang form, is the cumulation of "effects" (Buddha speak for outcomes I think) from all the good and bad "causes" (again technical BSpeak, for all our thoughts,words and actions) we've made in our lives. This shapes our present and our future. Karma simply means 'action' in Sanscrit - so no great mystery with that word fortunately. Our thoughts, words and deeds show themselves in everything about us, including our good and bad fortune. They pretty much make up the "us" of "us".
I've been wondering how my Karma has led me to where I am domestically speaking. I think I'm getting a handle on how I've been neglecting my personal affairs. My eye has been so trained on my business ball that I've let a whole fleet of personal admin stack up like planes holding over Heathrow. It's time these aero-babies landed. My strong and sneaky suspicions say I need to do clean up my less-than-perfect bills and paper-filing act.
As an insightful Amercian coaching friend of mine suggested over lunch earlier, I could try managing my personal affairs wih the skills I've carefully applied to my business. It seems pretty blindingly obvious now with hindsight, but she did have to say the words out loud. Although it was more of a honeyed whisper of a Southern American drawl from her sweet lips. I'm indebted to her clarity of thinking. She's an instinctively clever gal, and it's one heck of a help having her on side...
In Buddhist ways, we have the fortune of knowing our karma isn't set in some spiritial stone. We're no unfortunate prehistoric fly caught in amber. We're free to change our thinking, so we're free to change our pesky bad habits and destuctive ways. We're all given second chances - we all have the power to change by simply changing our minds.
So I'm busy setting up my new business approach to my home life. The new and improved BuddhaBelle Ltd is launching very soon, aiming to clean up its sister's act. I'm changing my whole karma, if you will, as to how I run the business of my life and my child's life. Not that I'm after a ruthlessly lean and mean set-up. More of an effecient operations unit working for the home and happiness that my little child deserves.
It's not a bad mission statement,I hope you agree. It's not a half bad line-up of talent and experience either. But you'll have to take my word on that bit.
Thank you Lizzy. Nan myoho renge kyo
Karma, in it's real non-hippie slang form, is the cumulation of "effects" (Buddha speak for outcomes I think) from all the good and bad "causes" (again technical BSpeak, for all our thoughts,words and actions) we've made in our lives. This shapes our present and our future. Karma simply means 'action' in Sanscrit - so no great mystery with that word fortunately. Our thoughts, words and deeds show themselves in everything about us, including our good and bad fortune. They pretty much make up the "us" of "us".
I've been wondering how my Karma has led me to where I am domestically speaking. I think I'm getting a handle on how I've been neglecting my personal affairs. My eye has been so trained on my business ball that I've let a whole fleet of personal admin stack up like planes holding over Heathrow. It's time these aero-babies landed. My strong and sneaky suspicions say I need to do clean up my less-than-perfect bills and paper-filing act.
As an insightful Amercian coaching friend of mine suggested over lunch earlier, I could try managing my personal affairs wih the skills I've carefully applied to my business. It seems pretty blindingly obvious now with hindsight, but she did have to say the words out loud. Although it was more of a honeyed whisper of a Southern American drawl from her sweet lips. I'm indebted to her clarity of thinking. She's an instinctively clever gal, and it's one heck of a help having her on side...
In Buddhist ways, we have the fortune of knowing our karma isn't set in some spiritial stone. We're no unfortunate prehistoric fly caught in amber. We're free to change our thinking, so we're free to change our pesky bad habits and destuctive ways. We're all given second chances - we all have the power to change by simply changing our minds.
So I'm busy setting up my new business approach to my home life. The new and improved BuddhaBelle Ltd is launching very soon, aiming to clean up its sister's act. I'm changing my whole karma, if you will, as to how I run the business of my life and my child's life. Not that I'm after a ruthlessly lean and mean set-up. More of an effecient operations unit working for the home and happiness that my little child deserves.
It's not a bad mission statement,I hope you agree. It's not a half bad line-up of talent and experience either. But you'll have to take my word on that bit.
Thank you Lizzy. Nan myoho renge kyo
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Poison into medicine
Apparently it's good to suffer. This is foremost in my mind today, given that a whole set of tricky circumstances have built into a challenge of Everest-like proportions for me. And I have stupidly omitted to equip myself with the pre-requisite high altitude oxygen, crampons and protective clothing. Hmmm. It's gonna hurt.
You see I am being forced to find a new place to move to. Post separation, I had washed up in a small rented flat with my young child whilst I found my new bearings. It's been an achievement funding everything single-handedly, and all from the limited resources of a new small business. But I've pulled it off. Well all apart from growing the gold-plated, rock-steady personal finances bit that is. I figured something had to give along the way...
So now my tight wallet and interesting credit history have developed into the troubles that taunt me. Which have had a knock-on effect into a difficult housing problem - my latest blessing in disguise, through which I can grow as human being. I need to take this on board fast, and find some practical responses.
In fact I will need to be deeply Buddhist in finding them. I'm grateful for the concept that we can change our poison into medicine through chanting and practise. Our medicine only cures if we are wise enough to realise what exactly led us to a trouble, and what we can do to alleviate this for ouselves. Sounds obvious in some ways, eh?
"Suffering can thus serve as a springboard for a deeper experience of happiness. From the perspective of Buddhism, inherent in all negative experiences is this profound positive potential."
And yes it does all trace back to what is refered to as our "karma". We're pretty much responsible for creating our own experiences, good or bad. Taking responsibilty for this process is a good way to start turning something bad around. So my domestic situation is my own very special and exsquisitely painful life lesson. I'm swotting away like fury, trust me.
You see I am being forced to find a new place to move to. Post separation, I had washed up in a small rented flat with my young child whilst I found my new bearings. It's been an achievement funding everything single-handedly, and all from the limited resources of a new small business. But I've pulled it off. Well all apart from growing the gold-plated, rock-steady personal finances bit that is. I figured something had to give along the way...
So now my tight wallet and interesting credit history have developed into the troubles that taunt me. Which have had a knock-on effect into a difficult housing problem - my latest blessing in disguise, through which I can grow as human being. I need to take this on board fast, and find some practical responses.
In fact I will need to be deeply Buddhist in finding them. I'm grateful for the concept that we can change our poison into medicine through chanting and practise. Our medicine only cures if we are wise enough to realise what exactly led us to a trouble, and what we can do to alleviate this for ouselves. Sounds obvious in some ways, eh?
"Suffering can thus serve as a springboard for a deeper experience of happiness. From the perspective of Buddhism, inherent in all negative experiences is this profound positive potential."
And yes it does all trace back to what is refered to as our "karma". We're pretty much responsible for creating our own experiences, good or bad. Taking responsibilty for this process is a good way to start turning something bad around. So my domestic situation is my own very special and exsquisitely painful life lesson. I'm swotting away like fury, trust me.
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
The joys of yoga
The sound of Belles has been ringing in my ears today. For some reason, I feel particulary keen to explain how I devised my blogsphere name. Maybe it's because it's all so recent, or maybe it's because I have a residual sense of Catholic guilt at my titular plagarism? It's true that there is nothing wholly original in a writer's world, but I have benefitted from creative inspiration taken from a fellow Buddhist and a yoga teacher/ singer called Belle.
She was lucky enough to be called such at birth, so it was only a natural progression for her to morph into Yoga Belle in later years. You'll agree it doesn't take a huge leap of imagination to see where I'm coming from.
Which brings me seemlessly to the famous double act of yoga and Buddhism. It's a classic cheese and wine,rhurarb and custard kinda deal. They're simply perfectly complimentary. It only seems natural, well to my symmetry seeking mind anyway, that the disciplines dovetail each other so perfectly - both centuries old, spiritually attuned and designed to train the mind and body.
I find I'm yearning to return to yoga. For now, it's only the teacher, venue and time slot that are sadly missing. I know I had the incredible fortune of meeting a consumate Sivanada yoga teacher previously, and to be taught by the best as my introduction. I remember revelling in her twice weekly classes, gaining a more lithesome post-partum body, and a much-needed non-alcoholic escape from new motherhood. But then she disappeared, almost in a blink of a salutation, to meerily follow her destiny running retreats and teaching new teachers.
I now realise she had a deeply Buddhist approach. All her centering and breathing was it's very own form of chanting. We would be finding our own personal space on those purple sticky mats, and tuning into the core of ourselves. It wasn't just the skillfully led postures that were working their magic. She also instinctivley knew that she was ministering all our senses. So we were treated to the balm of her voice and music, and the soothingly sweet smell of her oils. Her smile was serene and high-wattage. Her body was a temple. Her classes were an oasis.
There must be other inspired yogis of her calibre out there, and I shall quietly and carefully maintain a look-out. Or I could sign up with my kindred and sister spirit YogaBelle. But I'd have to face my guilt at name-borrowing, and I'm not that sure of my copyright law or Buddhist etiquette...
Nam myoho renge kyo
She was lucky enough to be called such at birth, so it was only a natural progression for her to morph into Yoga Belle in later years. You'll agree it doesn't take a huge leap of imagination to see where I'm coming from.
Which brings me seemlessly to the famous double act of yoga and Buddhism. It's a classic cheese and wine,rhurarb and custard kinda deal. They're simply perfectly complimentary. It only seems natural, well to my symmetry seeking mind anyway, that the disciplines dovetail each other so perfectly - both centuries old, spiritually attuned and designed to train the mind and body.
I find I'm yearning to return to yoga. For now, it's only the teacher, venue and time slot that are sadly missing. I know I had the incredible fortune of meeting a consumate Sivanada yoga teacher previously, and to be taught by the best as my introduction. I remember revelling in her twice weekly classes, gaining a more lithesome post-partum body, and a much-needed non-alcoholic escape from new motherhood. But then she disappeared, almost in a blink of a salutation, to meerily follow her destiny running retreats and teaching new teachers.
I now realise she had a deeply Buddhist approach. All her centering and breathing was it's very own form of chanting. We would be finding our own personal space on those purple sticky mats, and tuning into the core of ourselves. It wasn't just the skillfully led postures that were working their magic. She also instinctivley knew that she was ministering all our senses. So we were treated to the balm of her voice and music, and the soothingly sweet smell of her oils. Her smile was serene and high-wattage. Her body was a temple. Her classes were an oasis.
There must be other inspired yogis of her calibre out there, and I shall quietly and carefully maintain a look-out. Or I could sign up with my kindred and sister spirit YogaBelle. But I'd have to face my guilt at name-borrowing, and I'm not that sure of my copyright law or Buddhist etiquette...
Nam myoho renge kyo
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Small object of devotion
I think it's time for me to take the "Gohonzon" plunge. I had cappuccinos with the lovely lady who introduced me to practising today, and she agrees. Almost a year on, we sat at almost the same table in the same Mummy-hangout cafe, and reflected on our spiritual changes. She was still sweaty from her workout; I was weighed down with work papers and kit for my gym session later on. But it was a joy to sit and reflect with her, as ever.
Acquiring her Gohonzon had been an entirley different matter all together. Apparently back in the day, one had to wait for an official visit from H/Q in Japan, once every 18 months. Only then could you be entrusted with your kit. Presumably you would have been security cleared and vetted on the day too. I on the other hand have it lemon-squeezy easy. I need only fill in a few forms, find the best space for it in my home, and part with a modest sum. The fun bit comes in unleashing your inner decorator,and adorning it with green plants and candles. I'll get to the finer points of Buddhist style later.
I've warmed to my friend's experienced view, that no matter what is going on in my head, I should commit to the idea of it all, or "make a cause" for it in proper Buddhist-speak. Right here, I'm not totaly up-to-speed with this bit, but I've learned to expect to not understand it all - rather like a bumbling tourist with only the vaguest of notions but a big smile.
Buying my Gohonzon will be the acid test of my commitment to practise in earnest. It's the entry level to big Buddha school. One doesn't just acquire it as an exotically right-on accessory, beautifully and Oriental though it is, to grace an empty space. No sireee. It's the object of devotion that one gets to chant to morning and night.
To look at, it is simply a lovongly enscribed parchment mounted in a wooden casing, that sits at eye-level in a suitably serene corner. The inscriptions are the key feature. The characters themselves are taken to "embody the life of the original Buddha, or the law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo".
"Some of the characters on the Gohonzon are historical persons, mythical figures or Buddhist gods. Nichiren Daishonin used them to represent the actual functions of the universe and of our own lives. All these functions are clustered around Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; therefore, the Gohonzon is the embodiment of the life of Buddhahood within us."
Those in the know say your Gohonzon is your pirate treasure map for life. Not that there's a Tropical island with palm trees and footprints to a cross marking a spot.Rather it's a slightly obsure route-map to the treasure inside ourselves and our everday lives. The buried booty is the amazing treasure chest of our potential and the astonshing beauty of our world.
Nam myoho renge kyo.
Acquiring her Gohonzon had been an entirley different matter all together. Apparently back in the day, one had to wait for an official visit from H/Q in Japan, once every 18 months. Only then could you be entrusted with your kit. Presumably you would have been security cleared and vetted on the day too. I on the other hand have it lemon-squeezy easy. I need only fill in a few forms, find the best space for it in my home, and part with a modest sum. The fun bit comes in unleashing your inner decorator,and adorning it with green plants and candles. I'll get to the finer points of Buddhist style later.
I've warmed to my friend's experienced view, that no matter what is going on in my head, I should commit to the idea of it all, or "make a cause" for it in proper Buddhist-speak. Right here, I'm not totaly up-to-speed with this bit, but I've learned to expect to not understand it all - rather like a bumbling tourist with only the vaguest of notions but a big smile.
Buying my Gohonzon will be the acid test of my commitment to practise in earnest. It's the entry level to big Buddha school. One doesn't just acquire it as an exotically right-on accessory, beautifully and Oriental though it is, to grace an empty space. No sireee. It's the object of devotion that one gets to chant to morning and night.
To look at, it is simply a lovongly enscribed parchment mounted in a wooden casing, that sits at eye-level in a suitably serene corner. The inscriptions are the key feature. The characters themselves are taken to "embody the life of the original Buddha, or the law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo".
"Some of the characters on the Gohonzon are historical persons, mythical figures or Buddhist gods. Nichiren Daishonin used them to represent the actual functions of the universe and of our own lives. All these functions are clustered around Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; therefore, the Gohonzon is the embodiment of the life of Buddhahood within us."
Those in the know say your Gohonzon is your pirate treasure map for life. Not that there's a Tropical island with palm trees and footprints to a cross marking a spot.Rather it's a slightly obsure route-map to the treasure inside ourselves and our everday lives. The buried booty is the amazing treasure chest of our potential and the astonshing beauty of our world.
Nam myoho renge kyo.
Monday, 4 June 2007
What's got Richard Gere so excited...
Hurrah, I've finally finished what can only be described as the mother of all bad deadlines. I'm definitely walking away from the wreckage with this one. You know it's been bad when you end up too drained to even drink to celebrate. All I can manage is some feeble chanting and a sea of sighing. Never, ever again.
The silver lining may be that I've seen the enormous strength chanting can give. I am grateful for such a clear demonstration of the huge personal benefits. It has been quite an eye-opener, and I wonder quite how I've managed to get through such trials unaided in the past.
Another nugget has been nestling sweetly in my thoughts. I'd stumbled across a beautifully crafted blog from an American under the blog name "Dharma Monkey". Consequently, I'd allowed myself a hefty dose of displacement blog reading out various moments of intolerable boredom and exhaustion. One reference in particular has filtered through my hazy thoughts. The author mentions one book, and one book alone, as being the springboard for his journey into Buddhism. It apparently was THE reason he started practising.
This got me thinking about how amazingly inflential a book can be. It's truly remarkable that one single book can so effectively change the course of one's life. But then, one particular lady in one cafe one afternoon did that for me too.
I've cruised onto the "dummies.com" website to check out the "Buddhism for Dummies" book for myself - many thanks to Dharma Monkey. I'm seriously impressed by the blurb. In fact I wanted to share it here, at the risk of some stroppy copyright emails or the such like. Here's the clever blurb as I think it's amazing.
"From the outside, Buddhism seems like a bundle of contradictions wrapped inside a paradox. It is a religion without a god, a belief system without rules, and a faith that encourages its adherents to question everything, including its own teachings. You could spend a lifetime studying Buddhist texts and following its observances and still feel like you’ve only just barely scratched the surface. Yet, over the past 2500 years, this lovely religion that preaches compassion, generosity, tolerance, selflessness and self-awareness has commanded the fervent devotion of hundreds of millions of people around the world who believe it to be the true path to enlightenment.
If you’re curious about Buddhism but feel intimidated by all the exotic jargon and strange trappings, this book is for you. Written by two leading American Buddhist teachers and scholars, it offers you a uniquely friendly way to explore the fascinating history of Buddhism..."
..."How Buddhism works as a religion, philosophy of life and a practical approach to dealing with life’s problems, all rolled into one
The idea that the mind is the source of all happiness and suffering
How the practices of wisdom and compassion can connect you with your inner spiritual resources
Meditation and other core Buddhist practices and how they can affect your everyday life
How to apply Buddhist teachings at each stage along the spiritual path
Whether you’re a searcher of truth, a student of religions, or just curious about what’s got Richard Gere and all the rest of those celebrity Buddhists so excited, Buddhism For Dummies is your intro to Buddhism basics."
I know what I'm buying on Amazon tomorrow. Night, night.
The silver lining may be that I've seen the enormous strength chanting can give. I am grateful for such a clear demonstration of the huge personal benefits. It has been quite an eye-opener, and I wonder quite how I've managed to get through such trials unaided in the past.
Another nugget has been nestling sweetly in my thoughts. I'd stumbled across a beautifully crafted blog from an American under the blog name "Dharma Monkey". Consequently, I'd allowed myself a hefty dose of displacement blog reading out various moments of intolerable boredom and exhaustion. One reference in particular has filtered through my hazy thoughts. The author mentions one book, and one book alone, as being the springboard for his journey into Buddhism. It apparently was THE reason he started practising.
This got me thinking about how amazingly inflential a book can be. It's truly remarkable that one single book can so effectively change the course of one's life. But then, one particular lady in one cafe one afternoon did that for me too.
I've cruised onto the "dummies.com" website to check out the "Buddhism for Dummies" book for myself - many thanks to Dharma Monkey. I'm seriously impressed by the blurb. In fact I wanted to share it here, at the risk of some stroppy copyright emails or the such like. Here's the clever blurb as I think it's amazing.
"From the outside, Buddhism seems like a bundle of contradictions wrapped inside a paradox. It is a religion without a god, a belief system without rules, and a faith that encourages its adherents to question everything, including its own teachings. You could spend a lifetime studying Buddhist texts and following its observances and still feel like you’ve only just barely scratched the surface. Yet, over the past 2500 years, this lovely religion that preaches compassion, generosity, tolerance, selflessness and self-awareness has commanded the fervent devotion of hundreds of millions of people around the world who believe it to be the true path to enlightenment.
If you’re curious about Buddhism but feel intimidated by all the exotic jargon and strange trappings, this book is for you. Written by two leading American Buddhist teachers and scholars, it offers you a uniquely friendly way to explore the fascinating history of Buddhism..."
..."How Buddhism works as a religion, philosophy of life and a practical approach to dealing with life’s problems, all rolled into one
The idea that the mind is the source of all happiness and suffering
How the practices of wisdom and compassion can connect you with your inner spiritual resources
Meditation and other core Buddhist practices and how they can affect your everyday life
How to apply Buddhist teachings at each stage along the spiritual path
Whether you’re a searcher of truth, a student of religions, or just curious about what’s got Richard Gere and all the rest of those celebrity Buddhists so excited, Buddhism For Dummies is your intro to Buddhism basics."
I know what I'm buying on Amazon tomorrow. Night, night.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Reading the labels
Inspite of being holed up on the final leg of my Herculean work deadline, I still feel in the "zone", so to speak. It's been sub-zero fun staring at my screen from sunrise to sunset, especially with so many folk on downtime outside, and all so vocally enjoying their free time.
But hey ho. The end of this snarly monster is in sight, at last. I've also chanted like a good girl, and read my daily encoragement online. I recommend these tasty snippets to anyone, as served up by a few good, no-nonsense sites, such as buddha.net. Havng said that, you might want to overlook the strange and sllightly pyschedelic rotating light effect on this site's encouragements. It looks oddly like a neon cyber-siren, somehow attached to the head of a statue...hmmm...nuff said...
Anyway, on account of my deadline overhang, I've missed what would have been a lovely Buddhist get-together, or "chant and chat" as I've been known to call them. If I used the official terminology, you might have a turn and click away before your hand could hit the mouse. But the meeting was called "Gongyo - at district level" can you believe for strange-soundingness?
I guess every organisation has it's structures and it's labels. It's just hard to not notice that, to English ears, this sounds more like a character from Star Wars than a cosy Sunday get-together. Couldn't we invent some cuddly new names for things perhaps? Is it wrong to even ask? I would much prefer to pencil in something along the lines of "All-comers Buddhafest", for instance. Oh, is this the wind of sacreligion I can feel, with me sailing a bit too close to it?
Anyway, moving on. I've gotten to thinking about Macs today. You know, the really cool designer computers, which make boring old pc's look like the lumbering dinosaurs they are rapidly becoming in comparison. Does everyone but me know how amazing the small Mini Mac white hard drives look? And the GIU? And the cute remotes and featherlight keyboards? I've seen some superb kit today and I am bowled over in a way normally only reserved for new shoes or new skis.
Which brings me back to the point about language and labels. I happily surfed away on the Mac site earlier, web-window shopping for a gorgeous Mac Mini of my very own. I wasn't thrown even for a nano-second by the mysterious tecchy speak involved. I'm clueless about pretty much all of it naturally. But I carefully swotted up on how it's got giga-hertz and intel core processing. Not to mention a DVI connector, VGA adpator and even an ethernet, for goodness sake. Hey I'm just getting with the programme, right?
So why then, in comparison, does the unfamiliar language of "Sutras and Gongyo" feel so hard to adapt to? I'm not sure, right now. I can't nail my slight linguistic discomfort, but I know it's all just labels, and they don't affect what's going on on the inside. Or the magic and beauty of the process. They're funny words attached to the outside. So I'm happy just ticking over with all of this, until I'm more fluent at any rate.
Nam myoho renge kyo for now.
But hey ho. The end of this snarly monster is in sight, at last. I've also chanted like a good girl, and read my daily encoragement online. I recommend these tasty snippets to anyone, as served up by a few good, no-nonsense sites, such as buddha.net. Havng said that, you might want to overlook the strange and sllightly pyschedelic rotating light effect on this site's encouragements. It looks oddly like a neon cyber-siren, somehow attached to the head of a statue...hmmm...nuff said...
Anyway, on account of my deadline overhang, I've missed what would have been a lovely Buddhist get-together, or "chant and chat" as I've been known to call them. If I used the official terminology, you might have a turn and click away before your hand could hit the mouse. But the meeting was called "Gongyo - at district level" can you believe for strange-soundingness?
I guess every organisation has it's structures and it's labels. It's just hard to not notice that, to English ears, this sounds more like a character from Star Wars than a cosy Sunday get-together. Couldn't we invent some cuddly new names for things perhaps? Is it wrong to even ask? I would much prefer to pencil in something along the lines of "All-comers Buddhafest", for instance. Oh, is this the wind of sacreligion I can feel, with me sailing a bit too close to it?
Anyway, moving on. I've gotten to thinking about Macs today. You know, the really cool designer computers, which make boring old pc's look like the lumbering dinosaurs they are rapidly becoming in comparison. Does everyone but me know how amazing the small Mini Mac white hard drives look? And the GIU? And the cute remotes and featherlight keyboards? I've seen some superb kit today and I am bowled over in a way normally only reserved for new shoes or new skis.
Which brings me back to the point about language and labels. I happily surfed away on the Mac site earlier, web-window shopping for a gorgeous Mac Mini of my very own. I wasn't thrown even for a nano-second by the mysterious tecchy speak involved. I'm clueless about pretty much all of it naturally. But I carefully swotted up on how it's got giga-hertz and intel core processing. Not to mention a DVI connector, VGA adpator and even an ethernet, for goodness sake. Hey I'm just getting with the programme, right?
So why then, in comparison, does the unfamiliar language of "Sutras and Gongyo" feel so hard to adapt to? I'm not sure, right now. I can't nail my slight linguistic discomfort, but I know it's all just labels, and they don't affect what's going on on the inside. Or the magic and beauty of the process. They're funny words attached to the outside. So I'm happy just ticking over with all of this, until I'm more fluent at any rate.
Nam myoho renge kyo for now.
Saturday, 2 June 2007
A run with a view
I feel I am running to a better spiritual place. My super-light and extra-padded shoes are carrying me swiftly to a state I want to be in.
No I'm not surfing some extra powerful surge of runner's endorphins. Or "running with the dolphins" as my lovely little person says. I'm pretty sure it's not the sweat dripping into my eyes, or the sun over-heating my brain, that's changing my view of stuff. I'm assuming it's the shift in me from chanting, as it's the real only variable in action, if we were to adopt a scientific approach to this latest development.
It all started as I was pacing to go for my much-anticipated morning run on the wilds of Wimbledon Common. It's a fabulous and much-wooded space - a runner's paradise with leafy and car-free paths. I was ready for a heavenly hour with only the ipod and the gentle breeze for company.
As often happens when you finally get to run, your mind is free to download. Your legs may be busy pumping and de-stressing, but your thoughts are free to roam un-hindered. I got to pondering on some of the amazing events of my last week.
Apart from starting this here blog, on automatic pilot and with a surprisingly effortless flow of words into the cute posting box, it's been crammed full of changing karma and poistive steps. I am so grateful to my new Buddhism, and the power it seems to give me from within.
And I'm grateful for my chanting-related personal insights - of the type that apparently one can have this way. Does it really give you such sense to see what your stumbling blocks are, and the strength to correct what you can? I'm beginning to realise that this might be the extraodinary gift, and one that can really move you forwards. It's the empowering thing I suppose.
So back to my sun-drenched morning run. First one and then a second track comes on from my borrowed iPod, and they both resonate to my very inner core. They are sounds from the 90s, a time when I think I was last truly happy. A fee discreet British tears snuck down my cheeks - my reddening eyes mercifully obscured by sunnies. Then I am engulfed by some rather big home truths about my ex-husband and his behaviour, my current bitter and never-ending fight for my child, and some hurtful ties back to my original blood family. I'm not going to go into the whole messy affair here - I'm saving this for other ears. But it all make complete and utter sense, as if I'd suddenly had the plot to a play explained to me.
Needless to say, I am a tad taken back by these unexpected insights. A little lying down in a darkend room was had, and a few cups of warm herbal tea. Then a restorative hot bath with fragrant lavender oil and a nurturing plate of noodles with veggies. Nothing like my usual bouncy post-run self at all.
And all this from my first proper week of chanting! I am half-anxious about how much more might shift, and when it all might stop. Hopefully, there's just one biggish block in my spiritual plumbing to flush through, and then service will be resumed as usual.
Now here's the theory bit.. Chanting the name of the most important Buddhist verses, the Lotus Sutra, is a route to find the wisdom and joy naturally in you. It's the way to become the bestest kind of person you can be. This is what is meant by "attaining your Buddhahood". All life lived in tune has "a condition of absolute happiness, freedom from fear and from all illusions. The development of this inner life state enables all people to overcome their problems and live a fulfilled and active life."
No witty sign-off line is required I feel.Just Nam myoho renge kyo.
No I'm not surfing some extra powerful surge of runner's endorphins. Or "running with the dolphins" as my lovely little person says. I'm pretty sure it's not the sweat dripping into my eyes, or the sun over-heating my brain, that's changing my view of stuff. I'm assuming it's the shift in me from chanting, as it's the real only variable in action, if we were to adopt a scientific approach to this latest development.
It all started as I was pacing to go for my much-anticipated morning run on the wilds of Wimbledon Common. It's a fabulous and much-wooded space - a runner's paradise with leafy and car-free paths. I was ready for a heavenly hour with only the ipod and the gentle breeze for company.
As often happens when you finally get to run, your mind is free to download. Your legs may be busy pumping and de-stressing, but your thoughts are free to roam un-hindered. I got to pondering on some of the amazing events of my last week.
Apart from starting this here blog, on automatic pilot and with a surprisingly effortless flow of words into the cute posting box, it's been crammed full of changing karma and poistive steps. I am so grateful to my new Buddhism, and the power it seems to give me from within.
And I'm grateful for my chanting-related personal insights - of the type that apparently one can have this way. Does it really give you such sense to see what your stumbling blocks are, and the strength to correct what you can? I'm beginning to realise that this might be the extraodinary gift, and one that can really move you forwards. It's the empowering thing I suppose.
So back to my sun-drenched morning run. First one and then a second track comes on from my borrowed iPod, and they both resonate to my very inner core. They are sounds from the 90s, a time when I think I was last truly happy. A fee discreet British tears snuck down my cheeks - my reddening eyes mercifully obscured by sunnies. Then I am engulfed by some rather big home truths about my ex-husband and his behaviour, my current bitter and never-ending fight for my child, and some hurtful ties back to my original blood family. I'm not going to go into the whole messy affair here - I'm saving this for other ears. But it all make complete and utter sense, as if I'd suddenly had the plot to a play explained to me.
Needless to say, I am a tad taken back by these unexpected insights. A little lying down in a darkend room was had, and a few cups of warm herbal tea. Then a restorative hot bath with fragrant lavender oil and a nurturing plate of noodles with veggies. Nothing like my usual bouncy post-run self at all.
And all this from my first proper week of chanting! I am half-anxious about how much more might shift, and when it all might stop. Hopefully, there's just one biggish block in my spiritual plumbing to flush through, and then service will be resumed as usual.
Now here's the theory bit.. Chanting the name of the most important Buddhist verses, the Lotus Sutra, is a route to find the wisdom and joy naturally in you. It's the way to become the bestest kind of person you can be. This is what is meant by "attaining your Buddhahood". All life lived in tune has "a condition of absolute happiness, freedom from fear and from all illusions. The development of this inner life state enables all people to overcome their problems and live a fulfilled and active life."
No witty sign-off line is required I feel.Just Nam myoho renge kyo.
Friday, 1 June 2007
Calmer and Karma
I have become comfortably numb. Yes- both in a state of serene tranquility and thankfully resting in this bliss. I wonder if this is my good karma kicking in? Is it a bit like sipping delicious chilled wine, and then it hitting the pain spot on time-delay? I'm really not that sure, but I can tell you why I'm asking.
I've sailed through what would normally have been a nerve-shredding day, yet felt in a zone of calm ability. What a revelation. And so perscription and chemical-free. I've meet with a financial exec put in charge of an important part of my business, negotiated a tricky situation with a printer handling our schedule-busting delays and technical glitches, and talked to my big financial man, all without perceptibly breaking physical or emotional sweat.
And to rate even more highly on the super-Buddha Belle scale, I've done all this whilst looking after a small, hot and bored child on half term. Pluurslease...am I making all this seem too easy?
Yes so ok I did cheat a bit. I 'fess up. I did have my gorgeous jade green Buddha beads curled up protectively in my linen skirt pocket all the while. It was a soothing distraction, and yes they did make me breathe and mentally chant.
I've also had a good run of a week with my morning and evening chanting. I feel my spiritual muscles are beginning to hone nicely. There's probably a hint of defintion on my karmic self. And i can safely say I'm beginning to feel capable of dealing with my angst with an almost abstracted business best practice. Now there's a management strategy that's not been marketed to the max - "Buddhism in the workplace". Could it work as a new 10-step plan for ultimate business performance, available for free trial on video, dvd and online perhaps? All profits would need to be donated to charity, as my only stipulation.
I'm joking of course. But seriously, I can only hope my just-landed state of grace persists. Good karma for a good girl. Maybe my fundementally fresh and extraordinary new approach, my new Karma if you will, is seeping through somehow to how I act and talk? Am I in fact walking the Buddha walk? What would the Big Buddha boys say about karma benefitting our everyday actions. Well here's a flavour - "We made what we are and experience now, and we are at this moment making what we will be and experience in the future. That is karma. So to change karma means to change our lives right now; that is, the way we think, speak and do things."
Let's wait and see what's next for new and improved belle.
I've sailed through what would normally have been a nerve-shredding day, yet felt in a zone of calm ability. What a revelation. And so perscription and chemical-free. I've meet with a financial exec put in charge of an important part of my business, negotiated a tricky situation with a printer handling our schedule-busting delays and technical glitches, and talked to my big financial man, all without perceptibly breaking physical or emotional sweat.
And to rate even more highly on the super-Buddha Belle scale, I've done all this whilst looking after a small, hot and bored child on half term. Pluurslease...am I making all this seem too easy?
Yes so ok I did cheat a bit. I 'fess up. I did have my gorgeous jade green Buddha beads curled up protectively in my linen skirt pocket all the while. It was a soothing distraction, and yes they did make me breathe and mentally chant.
I've also had a good run of a week with my morning and evening chanting. I feel my spiritual muscles are beginning to hone nicely. There's probably a hint of defintion on my karmic self. And i can safely say I'm beginning to feel capable of dealing with my angst with an almost abstracted business best practice. Now there's a management strategy that's not been marketed to the max - "Buddhism in the workplace". Could it work as a new 10-step plan for ultimate business performance, available for free trial on video, dvd and online perhaps? All profits would need to be donated to charity, as my only stipulation.
I'm joking of course. But seriously, I can only hope my just-landed state of grace persists. Good karma for a good girl. Maybe my fundementally fresh and extraordinary new approach, my new Karma if you will, is seeping through somehow to how I act and talk? Am I in fact walking the Buddha walk? What would the Big Buddha boys say about karma benefitting our everyday actions. Well here's a flavour - "We made what we are and experience now, and we are at this moment making what we will be and experience in the future. That is karma. So to change karma means to change our lives right now; that is, the way we think, speak and do things."
Let's wait and see what's next for new and improved belle.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Those four little words
Life has well and truly bitten me in the bum tonight. Yes, big red teeth marks are certainly decorating my cute cheeks alright. Aside of giving you the gory details, suffice it to say I passed out in a stress and wine induced fug mid-evening. I have awoken from the haze to post, almost missing the midnight bell.
I just wanted to say something short and sweet about 4 little words. They're old Japanese, which I know I've pointed out before,and represent the meaning of it all for chanting purposes. It's quite a clever trick really. The saying of them out loud is the way to bring yourself in line. In one quick and simple swoop.
It would be more than rude of me to hold these precious words back much longer. They are so fundemental to being a Buddhist - like the car bit in driving or the cooker bit in cooking. The car metaphor is actually very apt, what with being a vehicle to travel somewhere, but I won't dwell on that right now.
The chant is "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo". To give an idiot's guide to the meaning you could say it is the name of the Mystic Law of life everywhere, as found in the most important of all the verses or Sutras. To borrow some lines from the big Amercican boys agin "when we chant this Mystic Law, we attune our lives to the perfect rhythm of the universe. The result is increased vital life force, wisdom, compassion and good fortune to face the challenges in front of us."
I'm too tired to see what part my chanting has played in my current work fiasco. But I am more than sure it will be directing me in some positive way. It may only become apparent with the passing of time, or it may slap ne round the face like the hugest of wet kippers tomorrow. I have an inkling I am being given a big lesson in something. And it's crucial I have the sense to learn from this.
Having said this, I am far to over-tired and rambling to write any more now. Nam myoho renge kyo to us all, and sweet dreams.
I just wanted to say something short and sweet about 4 little words. They're old Japanese, which I know I've pointed out before,and represent the meaning of it all for chanting purposes. It's quite a clever trick really. The saying of them out loud is the way to bring yourself in line. In one quick and simple swoop.
It would be more than rude of me to hold these precious words back much longer. They are so fundemental to being a Buddhist - like the car bit in driving or the cooker bit in cooking. The car metaphor is actually very apt, what with being a vehicle to travel somewhere, but I won't dwell on that right now.
The chant is "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo". To give an idiot's guide to the meaning you could say it is the name of the Mystic Law of life everywhere, as found in the most important of all the verses or Sutras. To borrow some lines from the big Amercican boys agin "when we chant this Mystic Law, we attune our lives to the perfect rhythm of the universe. The result is increased vital life force, wisdom, compassion and good fortune to face the challenges in front of us."
I'm too tired to see what part my chanting has played in my current work fiasco. But I am more than sure it will be directing me in some positive way. It may only become apparent with the passing of time, or it may slap ne round the face like the hugest of wet kippers tomorrow. I have an inkling I am being given a big lesson in something. And it's crucial I have the sense to learn from this.
Having said this, I am far to over-tired and rambling to write any more now. Nam myoho renge kyo to us all, and sweet dreams.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Staying connected
It's been another horribly tough day at the coalface of work deadlines. I and a small band of hardy labourers have all become gruesomely stuck in some rather unending problems. Our sunless days are draining away with very little real sign of any productivity.
How completely symbolic of all human endeavour this seems. Well probably only to me now in my ant-like fashion as I seach for the way out. As ever, the bigger picture remains outside, as our amazing world continues to hurtle by. I did glimpse an inspiring dusk with vibrant pinks to purples behind a silhoetted tree line, and even a striking full moon gleaming against a starless sky.
I just need to stay connected, and I don't mean broadband. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy youtube and myspace as much as the next gal. But I want to remind myself of the things that take our breath away. Without getting out more, drinking vats of premium alcohol and dancing like no one is watching that is. Practising buddhism always seems a fast track back to a special place.
In the midst of my mind-numbing and soul-crushing schedule, it's good to read things like "all living beings have the potential to attain enlightenment or Buddhahood". It's so easy to lose the link. Slogging though a particulary grimy and damp rush hour earlier, I became as downtrodden as all the other commuters around me. Then I focussed on all those delicious fat, happy and smiling buddha statues I'd seen, and whispered some chants. It was enough to crack my steely face.
Maybe what is called "enlightenment" in Buddhist circles can indeed be found on my 176 bus back from town. I'm pretty sure the chanting is helping with my personal connection to what really matters. Even if the grotty slog of modern life has dulled my senses. A chant and a deep breath and I instantly feel back in touch.
The big Buddha boys in the US have probably put it well. A daily spiritual regime hooks us into " the true nature of life, including the profound realization of the interconnectedness of all things — the inseparable relationship between the individual and the environment and the ability of each human being to powerfully influence both." I want to hold this thought while travelling on public transport...
How completely symbolic of all human endeavour this seems. Well probably only to me now in my ant-like fashion as I seach for the way out. As ever, the bigger picture remains outside, as our amazing world continues to hurtle by. I did glimpse an inspiring dusk with vibrant pinks to purples behind a silhoetted tree line, and even a striking full moon gleaming against a starless sky.
I just need to stay connected, and I don't mean broadband. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy youtube and myspace as much as the next gal. But I want to remind myself of the things that take our breath away. Without getting out more, drinking vats of premium alcohol and dancing like no one is watching that is. Practising buddhism always seems a fast track back to a special place.
In the midst of my mind-numbing and soul-crushing schedule, it's good to read things like "all living beings have the potential to attain enlightenment or Buddhahood". It's so easy to lose the link. Slogging though a particulary grimy and damp rush hour earlier, I became as downtrodden as all the other commuters around me. Then I focussed on all those delicious fat, happy and smiling buddha statues I'd seen, and whispered some chants. It was enough to crack my steely face.
Maybe what is called "enlightenment" in Buddhist circles can indeed be found on my 176 bus back from town. I'm pretty sure the chanting is helping with my personal connection to what really matters. Even if the grotty slog of modern life has dulled my senses. A chant and a deep breath and I instantly feel back in touch.
The big Buddha boys in the US have probably put it well. A daily spiritual regime hooks us into " the true nature of life, including the profound realization of the interconnectedness of all things — the inseparable relationship between the individual and the environment and the ability of each human being to powerfully influence both." I want to hold this thought while travelling on public transport...
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Work, West and Pray
I'm sitting alone exhausted from multiple and punishing work deadlines, soothing my throbbing head and glared-burnt eyes in the soft darkness of night. There's just the neon glow of my computer screen for company, as I contemplate the largely incomprehensible...
I have every intention of keeping it simple tonight - excuse me. It's no bad thing in reality, as I'm so brazenly starting from scratch with my budding Buddhism. Here am I, a 21st-century quasi-agnostic European of Celtic origins, fumbling around in the dark to comprehend the great mysteries and vast truths of a mostly medieval Oriental life philospohy. Hmmmm. A truly tough, baked walnut of a thing to crack.Positively implement braking in fact.
What exactly would it have felt like to chant the extracts of the second and sixteenth verses (or Sutras) in something approaching your own mother tongue, I wonder? To today's common-or-garden Anglophone, such as you and I gentle reader, it's a bizzare but compelling excurison into pure lyricism. There's a distinctly rhythmic quality to the unusal sounding words.They soothe and lull with their exotic patterns.
I must confess to sneaking regular peaks at the English translations, and none of the poetic majestic is lost in translation. Their rippling stream of lines celebrate the profoundly simple nature of Bhuddist thought. What a revelation that it can all be so simple in essence. Understanding the old Japanese is merely an added, lottery dream ball bonus. A high prize winning one I grant you.
Bu it really is all about keeping it real. Modern Buddhists who just happen to be in Japan are apparently getting on with spiritually infused lives in large numbers. It's a popular and widely accepted slice of everyday stuff. Like being a tennis club member, or supporting England in the 6 nations tournament. I guess. Not the big, funny or clever excursion into the unknown we make it out to be. Just a basic, buy-it-in-bulk, off-the-shelf way of life. How refreshing.
Even in my present punch-drunk tiredness of deadlines, this seems like a thing much to be desired. Living a life more ordinary. But with Buddhism. And more sleep between one's bouts of work.
I have every intention of keeping it simple tonight - excuse me. It's no bad thing in reality, as I'm so brazenly starting from scratch with my budding Buddhism. Here am I, a 21st-century quasi-agnostic European of Celtic origins, fumbling around in the dark to comprehend the great mysteries and vast truths of a mostly medieval Oriental life philospohy. Hmmmm. A truly tough, baked walnut of a thing to crack.Positively implement braking in fact.
What exactly would it have felt like to chant the extracts of the second and sixteenth verses (or Sutras) in something approaching your own mother tongue, I wonder? To today's common-or-garden Anglophone, such as you and I gentle reader, it's a bizzare but compelling excurison into pure lyricism. There's a distinctly rhythmic quality to the unusal sounding words.They soothe and lull with their exotic patterns.
I must confess to sneaking regular peaks at the English translations, and none of the poetic majestic is lost in translation. Their rippling stream of lines celebrate the profoundly simple nature of Bhuddist thought. What a revelation that it can all be so simple in essence. Understanding the old Japanese is merely an added, lottery dream ball bonus. A high prize winning one I grant you.
Bu it really is all about keeping it real. Modern Buddhists who just happen to be in Japan are apparently getting on with spiritually infused lives in large numbers. It's a popular and widely accepted slice of everyday stuff. Like being a tennis club member, or supporting England in the 6 nations tournament. I guess. Not the big, funny or clever excursion into the unknown we make it out to be. Just a basic, buy-it-in-bulk, off-the-shelf way of life. How refreshing.
Even in my present punch-drunk tiredness of deadlines, this seems like a thing much to be desired. Living a life more ordinary. But with Buddhism. And more sleep between one's bouts of work.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Practising to make perfect
I have decided I should follow the discipline of writing a new post every night. To a novice like me, this seems a fairly hefty challenge to give oneself, equivalent to perhaps becoming a concert painist or a Michelin-starred chef without any of the useful years of training beforehand.
Consequently, I have been quietly muttering out loud along the lines of "how I can possibly produce anything remotely wise and worthwhile quite so often?"
But that's not the point I guess. Starting to practice Buddhism properly, I'm going to have to get to grips with the daily basics. This means grappling personfully with the routine of accepting the concepts, doing the chanting, and swotting up on the theory. That's a tall order too - especially when it comes to finding that all-important time and energy to chant every single morning and every single evening.
So I'm hoping the two practises will work neatly together. In theory anyway. I'm relying on my gym bunny experiences to lead the way. Yes there is method in my madness, as I've trained up to being a tight-buttocked, calf-honed little pounder. I've assiduously been going to my local gym every other day to trot on the treadmill(I can't quite seem to work out every day for some bizzare reason though. Well I do roughly know why, and it's all to do with working and free time).
I'm proud to boast I've gone from being a non-runner 2 years ago, to being a very competent 10k runner, clocking up a jolly hour or so on the treadmill. And I can happily spout on about pb's (personal bests), stretching, sore nipples and carbo-loading if required. It's been an easy progression up the running Ks, with surprisingly little fall-out beyond a pesky hip flexor injury and a period of losing toe nails. Apparently this is only to be expected.
Each bi-daily stint on the treadmill has been a different experience for the mind and body. Some days I've itched to sprint and hit the endorphin zone; others I've had to force heavy legs to get beyond a short slog. But I've always finished feeling undeniably healthier and happier. This will be exactly my mindset for practising Buddhism and for posting. I am forcing a new routine of chanting and writing onto my life, knowing it should slowly and surely move me forward.
Luckily training to be a Buddhist can be performed outside of the gym. The daily routine of accepting, practising and studying has been neatly summed up for me to share with you. It is "the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced."
Wish me luck. I fear it might be tough at first. What with all the spiritual huffing and buffing to get used to...
Consequently, I have been quietly muttering out loud along the lines of "how I can possibly produce anything remotely wise and worthwhile quite so often?"
But that's not the point I guess. Starting to practice Buddhism properly, I'm going to have to get to grips with the daily basics. This means grappling personfully with the routine of accepting the concepts, doing the chanting, and swotting up on the theory. That's a tall order too - especially when it comes to finding that all-important time and energy to chant every single morning and every single evening.
So I'm hoping the two practises will work neatly together. In theory anyway. I'm relying on my gym bunny experiences to lead the way. Yes there is method in my madness, as I've trained up to being a tight-buttocked, calf-honed little pounder. I've assiduously been going to my local gym every other day to trot on the treadmill(I can't quite seem to work out every day for some bizzare reason though. Well I do roughly know why, and it's all to do with working and free time).
I'm proud to boast I've gone from being a non-runner 2 years ago, to being a very competent 10k runner, clocking up a jolly hour or so on the treadmill. And I can happily spout on about pb's (personal bests), stretching, sore nipples and carbo-loading if required. It's been an easy progression up the running Ks, with surprisingly little fall-out beyond a pesky hip flexor injury and a period of losing toe nails. Apparently this is only to be expected.
Each bi-daily stint on the treadmill has been a different experience for the mind and body. Some days I've itched to sprint and hit the endorphin zone; others I've had to force heavy legs to get beyond a short slog. But I've always finished feeling undeniably healthier and happier. This will be exactly my mindset for practising Buddhism and for posting. I am forcing a new routine of chanting and writing onto my life, knowing it should slowly and surely move me forward.
Luckily training to be a Buddhist can be performed outside of the gym. The daily routine of accepting, practising and studying has been neatly summed up for me to share with you. It is "the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced."
Wish me luck. I fear it might be tough at first. What with all the spiritual huffing and buffing to get used to...
Sunday, 27 May 2007
The first steps
So almost by chance, I have become an accidental blogger about Buddhism. How strange and yet how wonderful! As all newbie bloggers will tell you, it's really quiet thrilling to be at the very start of a such a journey.
I've somehow clicked all the right buttons and actually make a fresh new blog. Now I'm keen to chart my fresh new life as a practising Buddhist (Nichiren Daischonin flavoured from Japan, if you must know!). This daily practice of chanting, praying and learning promises to be as complete a life shift as anyone could possibly imagine.
My life to date has been fairly agnostic, with only the vaguest smattering of anything spiritual along the way. Sure there was a hard stint at Catholic convent school, when I really did have my fingers in my ears to block the religious fervour. There have been periods of enthusiastic yoga and meditation, some sublime but fleeting moments of rapture (yes of course, the usual bodily ones), as well as the exhilaration of adrenalin sports, especially skiing on snowy mountains.
But at a point of great hardship in my life, I was blessed by meeting a truly wonderful practicising Buddhist. She has opened doors for me when I have needed it most. A knowledgeable Buddhist would probably recognise this good fortune as a part of the mystery of the practice
So I'm all set for what should be a colourful adventure. I simply haven't a clue how it will all unfold, but it should be wonderful. So welcome. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with you. Now I'm off for some chanting and living.
I've somehow clicked all the right buttons and actually make a fresh new blog. Now I'm keen to chart my fresh new life as a practising Buddhist (Nichiren Daischonin flavoured from Japan, if you must know!). This daily practice of chanting, praying and learning promises to be as complete a life shift as anyone could possibly imagine.
My life to date has been fairly agnostic, with only the vaguest smattering of anything spiritual along the way. Sure there was a hard stint at Catholic convent school, when I really did have my fingers in my ears to block the religious fervour. There have been periods of enthusiastic yoga and meditation, some sublime but fleeting moments of rapture (yes of course, the usual bodily ones), as well as the exhilaration of adrenalin sports, especially skiing on snowy mountains.
But at a point of great hardship in my life, I was blessed by meeting a truly wonderful practicising Buddhist. She has opened doors for me when I have needed it most. A knowledgeable Buddhist would probably recognise this good fortune as a part of the mystery of the practice
So I'm all set for what should be a colourful adventure. I simply haven't a clue how it will all unfold, but it should be wonderful. So welcome. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with you. Now I'm off for some chanting and living.
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