Spiritual Story by Jack Riemer
On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.
If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with polio as a child, and so he has braces on both legs and walks with the aid of two crutches. To see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an awesome sight.
He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward. Then he bends down and picks up the violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the conductor and proceeds to play.
By now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play.
But this time, something went wrong. Just as he finished the first few bars, one of the strings on his violin broke. You could hear it snap - it went off like gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There was no mistaking what he had to do.
We figured that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and limp his way off stage - to either find another violin or else find another string for this one. But he didn't. Instead, he waited a moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again.
The orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with such passion and such power and such purity as they had never heard before.
Of course, anyone knows that it is impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that.
You could see him modulating, changing, re-composing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before.
When he finished, there was an awesome silence in the room. And then people rose and cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done.
He smiled, wiped the sweat from this brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said - not boastfully, but in a quiet, pensive, reverent tone...
"You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, January 4, 2011:
You are already a lay practitioner and therefore one of the "good men" described in the sutra. One who listens to even a sentence or phrase of the sutra and cherishes it deep in one's heart may be likened to a ship that crosses the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. The Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, "Even a single phrase cherished deep in one's heart will without fail help one reach the opposite shore. To ponder one phrase and practice it is to exercise navigation".
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1961
Tuesday, January 4, 2011:
You are already a lay practitioner and therefore one of the "good men" described in the sutra. One who listens to even a sentence or phrase of the sutra and cherishes it deep in one's heart may be likened to a ship that crosses the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. The Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, "Even a single phrase cherished deep in one's heart will without fail help one reach the opposite shore. To ponder one phrase and practice it is to exercise navigation".
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1961
Daily Wisdom - What happens when people make good causes.
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, January 3, 2011:
Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.
The Third Day of the New Year
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on January 11, 1280
Monday, January 3, 2011:
Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.
The Third Day of the New Year
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on January 11, 1280
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Palpate the Present
Spiritual Story by Stash Serafin
My separation happened when I went off to a school for the blind. I was five when I started kindergarten. Within two years, all of my energy began to change. I could no longer catch fireflies by myself. I started bumping into trees and other objects, and tripping over things in the yard like fallen tree branches. And uneven ground would make my feet tremble for fear I would fall down and get hurt. Several years later, I was using a white cane and thought I had adjusted without too much trouble. However, something was missing. Something big was gone from my life -- But what was it?
In 1968, I put on my first pair of ice skates and I felt a sensation that thrilled me inside out. By 1975, I was invited to skate in the Jimmy Fund Show, which is a very prestigious show that raises money for children suffering with cancer. Many more shows followed. I skated with the likes of Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamell, the late John Curry, and all the figure skaters that are currently on tour. My parents were always supportive about my skating though they felt uncomfortable that I was the only blind skater in the world with little support from any organizations. They were always proud of me. I passed figure tests, dance, and free style tests -- All with flying colors and high marks.
Everyone who would come to see my performances, and witnessed my skating moves; jumping, spinning, stretching and spiraling, performing spread eagles, would marvel at the smoothness and fluidity that I demonstrated. I interpreted music well and I skated from my heart.
My skating teachers were terrific. Many of them are past world champions and Olympic medal winners. But the teacher-student relationship was challenged in every way. No one had ever taught a blind skater before. I was the first of a kind.
In 1983, I started taking massage courses, studied Therapeutic Touch, got my second degree in Reiki, was certified in Hypnosis, Reflexology, and began studying A Course in Miracles.
The Course states quite clearly that none of us are victims and there are no accidents. This began making sense. For so many years, I tried to learn skating the way sighted people learned. Also, I began to apply �Course� lessons to my skating now. And I became acutely aware that somehow everything is connected.
So now, how can I improve my skating, my jumps, and my massages? Could I ever be as sensitive as some of my teachers who taught me such treasured lessons as touching with sensitivity, intuition, trusting what I felt. Back to Braille, I thought. Braille, to me, is the most sensitive of all touches. It is just like palpating an organ or muscle. I began to apply this sense of light touch to my blades as I skated. The depth of touch one needs to differentiate the dots within a cell of Braille is overwhelming. The same applied for me when I first began my courses in bodywork.
Somehow I began to sense an energy inside of myself and all around. Yes, it was the familiar energy I felt as a child. Only now I have the understanding, in my body, my mind and soul. Now, I know what to do with it. And yet, with such a gentle touch as though palpating my muscles and reading Braille. Presently, I use this energy for my skating. My blades are extremely sensitive and I feel as if I can �see� with my blades as well as with other parts of my body. This is more of a sensing kind of seeing, but still I am seeing.
Recently, I palpated my Honi's last breath as she lay dying underneath our lilac bush in the side yard. And I knew she was lifting into the light. Our eight and a half year old Golden Retriever was leaving. I internally saw the flash of light, felt her start on her journey upward � And she began to be everywhere. The mockingbird sang, the sun shone brighter, there was an ever so gentle breeze and a hint of spring in the air. And she was gone�
I went through all the emotions of grieving quite quickly. Oh, I had moments of almost hysteria yet something interesting happened a day after Honi died. I was so upset that without realizing, I began to be still. Still, only for an instant. I Will Be Still an Instant and Go Home. Only for an instant, but that instant made all the difference in my world. My perception of what had just happened to Honi had changed -- Or as they say, it shifted!
How could something so gentle change my sadness into something that I could live with? Into something I could actually move through and not stay stuck in. It is because of the gentleness. The palpating, the Braille now coming from within me, rather than my finger tips. My entire body had become aware of this gentleness, this palpating!
So now it is time for me to palpate the moment, the present, every feeling I experienced can be felt so gently that I get to the depth of it without stress or strain on anything. There is a way to feel all of our �stuff� at the same time as if we are sensing our stuff --- The sadness, the happiness, the joy, the pain, all simultaneously. For me, this takes the charge off of my emotions without denying them. Feeling everything so gently without drowning in my drama is very healing for me during this cycle.
With the war, the economy, and loss of pets, two-footed friends as well, I now have a remarkable tool I can use � If I pay attention and palpate the present...
My separation happened when I went off to a school for the blind. I was five when I started kindergarten. Within two years, all of my energy began to change. I could no longer catch fireflies by myself. I started bumping into trees and other objects, and tripping over things in the yard like fallen tree branches. And uneven ground would make my feet tremble for fear I would fall down and get hurt. Several years later, I was using a white cane and thought I had adjusted without too much trouble. However, something was missing. Something big was gone from my life -- But what was it?
In 1968, I put on my first pair of ice skates and I felt a sensation that thrilled me inside out. By 1975, I was invited to skate in the Jimmy Fund Show, which is a very prestigious show that raises money for children suffering with cancer. Many more shows followed. I skated with the likes of Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamell, the late John Curry, and all the figure skaters that are currently on tour. My parents were always supportive about my skating though they felt uncomfortable that I was the only blind skater in the world with little support from any organizations. They were always proud of me. I passed figure tests, dance, and free style tests -- All with flying colors and high marks.
Everyone who would come to see my performances, and witnessed my skating moves; jumping, spinning, stretching and spiraling, performing spread eagles, would marvel at the smoothness and fluidity that I demonstrated. I interpreted music well and I skated from my heart.
My skating teachers were terrific. Many of them are past world champions and Olympic medal winners. But the teacher-student relationship was challenged in every way. No one had ever taught a blind skater before. I was the first of a kind.
In 1983, I started taking massage courses, studied Therapeutic Touch, got my second degree in Reiki, was certified in Hypnosis, Reflexology, and began studying A Course in Miracles.
The Course states quite clearly that none of us are victims and there are no accidents. This began making sense. For so many years, I tried to learn skating the way sighted people learned. Also, I began to apply �Course� lessons to my skating now. And I became acutely aware that somehow everything is connected.
So now, how can I improve my skating, my jumps, and my massages? Could I ever be as sensitive as some of my teachers who taught me such treasured lessons as touching with sensitivity, intuition, trusting what I felt. Back to Braille, I thought. Braille, to me, is the most sensitive of all touches. It is just like palpating an organ or muscle. I began to apply this sense of light touch to my blades as I skated. The depth of touch one needs to differentiate the dots within a cell of Braille is overwhelming. The same applied for me when I first began my courses in bodywork.
Somehow I began to sense an energy inside of myself and all around. Yes, it was the familiar energy I felt as a child. Only now I have the understanding, in my body, my mind and soul. Now, I know what to do with it. And yet, with such a gentle touch as though palpating my muscles and reading Braille. Presently, I use this energy for my skating. My blades are extremely sensitive and I feel as if I can �see� with my blades as well as with other parts of my body. This is more of a sensing kind of seeing, but still I am seeing.
Recently, I palpated my Honi's last breath as she lay dying underneath our lilac bush in the side yard. And I knew she was lifting into the light. Our eight and a half year old Golden Retriever was leaving. I internally saw the flash of light, felt her start on her journey upward � And she began to be everywhere. The mockingbird sang, the sun shone brighter, there was an ever so gentle breeze and a hint of spring in the air. And she was gone�
I went through all the emotions of grieving quite quickly. Oh, I had moments of almost hysteria yet something interesting happened a day after Honi died. I was so upset that without realizing, I began to be still. Still, only for an instant. I Will Be Still an Instant and Go Home. Only for an instant, but that instant made all the difference in my world. My perception of what had just happened to Honi had changed -- Or as they say, it shifted!
How could something so gentle change my sadness into something that I could live with? Into something I could actually move through and not stay stuck in. It is because of the gentleness. The palpating, the Braille now coming from within me, rather than my finger tips. My entire body had become aware of this gentleness, this palpating!
So now it is time for me to palpate the moment, the present, every feeling I experienced can be felt so gently that I get to the depth of it without stress or strain on anything. There is a way to feel all of our �stuff� at the same time as if we are sensing our stuff --- The sadness, the happiness, the joy, the pain, all simultaneously. For me, this takes the charge off of my emotions without denying them. Feeling everything so gently without drowning in my drama is very healing for me during this cycle.
With the war, the economy, and loss of pets, two-footed friends as well, I now have a remarkable tool I can use � If I pay attention and palpate the present...
Daily Wisdom - Buddha, the skilled physician
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, January 2, 2011:
The Buddha has already been called a skilled physician, and the Law has been likened to good medicine and all living beings to people suffering from illness. The Buddha took the teachings that he had preached in the course of his lifetime, ground and sifted them, blended them together, and compounded an excellent medicine, the pill of the Mystic Law. Regardless of whether one understands it or not, so long as one takes the pill, can one fail to be cured of the illness of delusion?
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
Sunday, January 2, 2011:
The Buddha has already been called a skilled physician, and the Law has been likened to good medicine and all living beings to people suffering from illness. The Buddha took the teachings that he had preached in the course of his lifetime, ground and sifted them, blended them together, and compounded an excellent medicine, the pill of the Mystic Law. Regardless of whether one understands it or not, so long as one takes the pill, can one fail to be cured of the illness of delusion?
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, January 1, 2011:
I have received a hundred slabs of steamed rice cake and a basket of fruit. New Year's Day marks the first day, the first month, the beginning of the year, and the start of spring. A person who celebrates this day will accumulate virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and as the sun shines more brightly, traveling from east to west.
New Year's Gosho
Written to wife of Omosu on January 5, year unknown
Saturday, January 1, 2011:
I have received a hundred slabs of steamed rice cake and a basket of fruit. New Year's Day marks the first day, the first month, the beginning of the year, and the start of spring. A person who celebrates this day will accumulate virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and as the sun shines more brightly, traveling from east to west.
New Year's Gosho
Written to wife of Omosu on January 5, year unknown
Monday, December 12, 2011
Pickup In The Rain
Spiritual Story by Unknown
One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..
It read: 'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..
It read: 'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Live true to ourselves
To lead a life in which we are inspired and can inspire others, our hearts have to be alive; they have to be filled with passion and enthusiasm. To achieve that, as President Toda also said, we need the courage to "live true to ourselves." And to live true to ourselves, we need the strength of mind not to be swayed by our environment or be obsessed with vanity and superficial appearances. Rather than borrowing from or imitating others, we need the conviction to be able to think for ourselves and to take action from our own sense of responsibility.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 31/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 31/12
The importance of good health
Taking good care of our health is most important. In particular, it is vital for those who are advanced in years to get sufficient rest to avoid becoming fatigued. Sleep is the best medicine. I also hope you will put your wisdom to work and find various ways to improve and maintain your health.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 30/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 30/12
Sunday, December 11, 2011
One Word of Knowledge
Spiritual Story by BK Surat Singh Ayer
There once there was a thief whose job was to steal others' belongings and valuable properties from their home and houses. His faith was strong and he believed that, in his entire life, he would never hear words of wisdom from any religious or spiritual preacher. He believed that by hearing even one word of knowledge, his business of robbery would become very weak and damaged.
One day, while he was going through a temple area there was a Pandit (Religious preacher) giving a powerful speech on the lifestyle of deity and god, goddess in heaven. The thief completely blocked his ears with his fingers so that even a single word of knowledge would not enter him.
While walking, he stepped on a thorn and reached down to pick it out with his left hand. In that moment, he heard the Pandit say that "No living God or Goddess has a shadow." Upon hearing this word of knowledge, the thief felt very unlucky and said "Oh! What a wasteful moment this is!"
Anyway, after much time passed he was eventually arrested for being involved with a big robbery at the royal palace of the kingdom. Security personnel tried to get him to admit that he had stolen valuable things from the palace, but he denied everything. The security unit reported this to the King, so her majesty the Queen suggested that she would use her trick to make him surrender the truth.
The next night, at midnight, the Queen went alone to visit the thief privately where he was being held in the Royal Palace. The Queen disguised herself by dressing like the fearful and frightening Goddess Mahakali. With a roaring voice, she demanded "Oh Sinful thief - I am the Goddess Mahakali! Tell me the truth! Did you steal the property of the Royal Palace?"
The frightened thief shivered with fear and decided that he would confess the truth. As he was about to speak, he remembered that he had seen the shadow of the Goddess Mahakali in the moonlight when she came into the room. He remembered the words of knowledge, "No living God or Goddess has a shadow." Since he had seen the shadow of Mahakali in front of him on that night, he knew that she could not be the real goddess Mahakali.
In that moment, he felt tremendous inner support from the words of knowledge. He responded with full confidence and without hesitation, "I did not steal anything!"
Again, the Queen disguised as Mahakali tried to make him fearful but the thief felt no fear and replied the same again:
"I DID NOT STEAL ANYTHING!"
After some time, the Queen knew the thief would say nothing else so she left. The next day, with the permission of Her Majesty the Queen, the thief was freed from the royal custody.
Because of this incident, the thief realized the true power of knowledge to transform his very troublesome situation into a very favorable one for him. He wondered, "How useful would it be if I heard more words of wisdom?" The answer to this question was profound.
In that moment, his faith and belief were strengthened, and his heart and mind were transformed. He decided that to listen to more knowledge so that he could feel completely fearless in all situations. However, in becoming a devoted listener to more words of wisdom, he completely awakened and went on to live a very happy and fully satisfied life, free from thievery and full of truth.
There once there was a thief whose job was to steal others' belongings and valuable properties from their home and houses. His faith was strong and he believed that, in his entire life, he would never hear words of wisdom from any religious or spiritual preacher. He believed that by hearing even one word of knowledge, his business of robbery would become very weak and damaged.
One day, while he was going through a temple area there was a Pandit (Religious preacher) giving a powerful speech on the lifestyle of deity and god, goddess in heaven. The thief completely blocked his ears with his fingers so that even a single word of knowledge would not enter him.
While walking, he stepped on a thorn and reached down to pick it out with his left hand. In that moment, he heard the Pandit say that "No living God or Goddess has a shadow." Upon hearing this word of knowledge, the thief felt very unlucky and said "Oh! What a wasteful moment this is!"
Anyway, after much time passed he was eventually arrested for being involved with a big robbery at the royal palace of the kingdom. Security personnel tried to get him to admit that he had stolen valuable things from the palace, but he denied everything. The security unit reported this to the King, so her majesty the Queen suggested that she would use her trick to make him surrender the truth.
The next night, at midnight, the Queen went alone to visit the thief privately where he was being held in the Royal Palace. The Queen disguised herself by dressing like the fearful and frightening Goddess Mahakali. With a roaring voice, she demanded "Oh Sinful thief - I am the Goddess Mahakali! Tell me the truth! Did you steal the property of the Royal Palace?"
The frightened thief shivered with fear and decided that he would confess the truth. As he was about to speak, he remembered that he had seen the shadow of the Goddess Mahakali in the moonlight when she came into the room. He remembered the words of knowledge, "No living God or Goddess has a shadow." Since he had seen the shadow of Mahakali in front of him on that night, he knew that she could not be the real goddess Mahakali.
In that moment, he felt tremendous inner support from the words of knowledge. He responded with full confidence and without hesitation, "I did not steal anything!"
Again, the Queen disguised as Mahakali tried to make him fearful but the thief felt no fear and replied the same again:
"I DID NOT STEAL ANYTHING!"
After some time, the Queen knew the thief would say nothing else so she left. The next day, with the permission of Her Majesty the Queen, the thief was freed from the royal custody.
Because of this incident, the thief realized the true power of knowledge to transform his very troublesome situation into a very favorable one for him. He wondered, "How useful would it be if I heard more words of wisdom?" The answer to this question was profound.
In that moment, his faith and belief were strengthened, and his heart and mind were transformed. He decided that to listen to more knowledge so that he could feel completely fearless in all situations. However, in becoming a devoted listener to more words of wisdom, he completely awakened and went on to live a very happy and fully satisfied life, free from thievery and full of truth.
How to be a great person?
Who is truly great? I hope you can develop the ability to discern true human greatness. A great person is someone who forges unity among human beings through sincere dialogue, armed with a solid philosophy, feet firmly planted on the ground. A great person is one who lives among the people and earns their unshakable trust. Fickle popularity and temporary fads are nothing but illusions.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 29/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 29/12
How to conduct activities for Kosen-rufu?
Kosen-rufu is a very long struggle. It is a march that will continue over the 10,000 years of the Latter Day of the Law. Therefore, let us advance joyfully and unhurriedly. Activities must not be conducted in such a way that people suffer and become exhausted. Meetings should be short and not too numerous and conducted so that they are valuable and productive for all concerned.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 28/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 28/12
Saturday, December 10, 2011
One Cottage Burning
Spiritual Story by Unknown
Years ago, a fishing fleet went out from a small harbor on the east coast of Newfoundland. In the afternoon there came a great storm. When night settled down, not a single vessel of all the fleet had found its way into the port.
All night long, wives, mothers, children and sweethearts paced up and down the beach, wringing their hands and calling on God to save their loved ones. To add to the horror of the situation, one of the cottages caught fire. Since the men were all away, it was impossible to save the home.
When the morning broke, to the joy of all, the entire fleet found safe harbor in the bay. But there was none face with a picture of despair - the wife of the man whose home had been destroyed. Meeting her husband as he landed, she cried, Oh, husband, we are ruined! Our home and all it contained was destroyed by fire!"
But the man exclaimed, "Thank God for the fire! It was the light of our burning cottage that guided the whole fleet into port."
Years ago, a fishing fleet went out from a small harbor on the east coast of Newfoundland. In the afternoon there came a great storm. When night settled down, not a single vessel of all the fleet had found its way into the port.
All night long, wives, mothers, children and sweethearts paced up and down the beach, wringing their hands and calling on God to save their loved ones. To add to the horror of the situation, one of the cottages caught fire. Since the men were all away, it was impossible to save the home.
When the morning broke, to the joy of all, the entire fleet found safe harbor in the bay. But there was none face with a picture of despair - the wife of the man whose home had been destroyed. Meeting her husband as he landed, she cried, Oh, husband, we are ruined! Our home and all it contained was destroyed by fire!"
But the man exclaimed, "Thank God for the fire! It was the light of our burning cottage that guided the whole fleet into port."
No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat
No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat. Never conclude that you've reached a dead end, that everything is finished. You possess a glorious future. And precisely because of that, you must persevere and study. Life is eternal. We need to focus on the two existences of the present and the future and not get caught up in the past. We must always have the spirit to begin anew "from this moment," to initiate a new struggle each day.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 27/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 27/12
Good health equals Buddhism. Daily life equals faith
Good health equals Buddhism. Daily life equals faith. Taking care to avoid traffic accidents and making efforts to stay in good health, therefore, are all part of our Buddhist practice. It is important that we live wisely, striving with the awareness each day that all the actions and activities we undertake for the sake of faith contribute to our good health and well-being.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 26/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 26/12
Friday, December 9, 2011
Number Magic
Spiritual Story by Inderjit Dhariwal
Yogi Navnirman was a young, enthusiastic follower who evolved spiritually at Mahira's feet and now spent time moving around different parts of the world with a single burning desire to aid the spiritual awakening of all those who were asking.
Mahira often recalled his experiences of some of the interesting and unique pathways in the progress of other beings he had come in contact with. In fact, he shared more information on the path to enlightenment of others than about himself. When questioned by an observant visitor at the ashram, he would state that the path to complete realization becomes easier when we know there have been many who got there, and more importantly, they used diverse paths to their unfoldment. Mahira always encouraged folks who came for the evening discourses to go within themselves, and seek their unique inner guidance. He loved to repeat that the Universe was more diverse than the human mind could every grasp, and if we just allowed our inner voice to guide us, we all were capable of creating unique and beautiful experiences of our own individual realities.
One day, to a gathering of eager disciples, Mahira recounted Navnirman's unique way of communicating with the Universe through numbers and other symbols.
"The Universe we live in, is a dynamic energy system, and all that inhabits our Universe, is interconnected to all other forms of matter (energy) whether animate or inanimate. In other words, each member of the Universe, however big or small, however near or distant, shares a common Consciousness. We are in a constant state of contact with all else, whether we are aware of this or not. For the music composers, the Universe communicates by providing new compositions, for the author, new ideas or entire stories. Each one of us receives clear communication when we allow it to come into our awareness."
"Navnirman was often fascinated by this, and wanted to deepen his awareness and even to establish conscious communication. He found a very unique way indeed. He told me how it all started almost immediately after he first became aware of this concept. He had an office job then that required traveling. One day, while waiting at a red light, his attention was drawn to the number plates of the vehicles. He started pondering upon the numbers that his eyes caught 'at random'.
9277 was the one such number. He delved deeper into his being, so he could relate to the meaning in this number for he knew his current life experiences had the meaning all wrapped up to be discovered. And then it came in a flash to him: 'Now, tu bar bar lucky' � this was a mix of his native tongue, Hindi and English, as these were the predominant languages he grew up with. And it all made perfect sense to him. For, the number 9 is pronounced 'Nau' in Hindi, which closely matches the 'Now' of English. 2 sounds like 'Tu' which in Hindi means 'You'. Repeat of no. 7 (the generally accepted denotation for luck in our times by the masses, although all numbers are equally 'lucky' in the eyes of the Universe) meant again and again (bar-bar in Hindi).
Navnirman was excited for many reasons. For one, the Universe was validating that whatever he was, however he was, wherever he was, he was always lucky! Many amongst us seek approval and acknowledgment through our work, our good behaviour, our charitable deeds etc. and Navnirman had found that he could receive such acknowledgment from the Universe itself, simply by tuning in and being aware.
He started looking obsessively looking out at other number plates, and found some interesting messages, all of which did not make complete sense at that time. And he conjured a meaning for each number he saw. And he came to realize that these meanings were equally accessible and applicable to any being that chose to interpret them.
1 meant the Universe was addressing him (or anyone who chose to tune in so) directly as in 'Continuously or Repeatedly, One is Lucky' when he saw the Seven 11 signboards while traveling in America. Another instance he felt he was being referred directly (because at this point in time and space, he was choosing to believe so) was when he saw his birth year (19)68 appear in numbers. '6877' or '7168' meant the Universe's constant reminder for him to believe he was lucky or perfect wherever he was, although his mind had some difficulty in accepting this at times. Later, he realized that he was creating (attracting) this constant reminder precisely because he did not yet completely believe he was 'OK' regardless of where he was.
2 meant the Universe was addressing him in a friendly or informal manner for it brought the Hindi 'Tu' immediately to his consciousness.
3 meant the Universe was addressing him or pointing out towards his wholeness by referring to the trio of Spirit, Mind and Body.
4 was straightforward. It meant 'for'.
5 meant the 5 senses.
6 meant seeks because of the closeness in the pronunciation of the number '6' and the word 'seeks'.
7 denoted lucky.
8 meant 'more than lucky'
9 meant 'Now'
0 meant 'nothing' or 'nothing but' as in '2007' to Navnirman was 'You are constantly nothing but lucky'
He created many phrases from the numbers he encountered, such as -
2296 � Bar-Bar Tu seeks (Again and again or Repeatedly You Seek)
5566 � Bar-Bar Panjo Seeks (Again and again the 5 Seek, 'the 5' referring to the 5 senses)
2008 � Tu Bar-Bar Nothing but More than Lucky [zero appearing twice indicated again and again (or repeatedly) nothing but and 8 denoted more than lucky, since it is greater than 7]
1356 � The United ('One') Three All the 5 Seeks: Here, 3 refers to the Spirit-Mind-Body combine that make our beings, 5 denotes the 5 senses. The phrase implied that all the senses and his entire being longed for unity with the One that pervades all.
0008 � Nothing, Nothing, Nothing (but) More than Lucky. This made his day, and helped him to trust in the Higher Power more and more.
7778 � Lucky, Lucky, Lucky, More than Lucky. The repeat of 7 exactly three times denoted that his Spirit was lucky, Mind was lucky, Body was lucky, and since he was gaining this insight, he was now more than lucky.
This tuning into communication soon spread from the numbers to include the alphabets preceding them, with each alphabet conveying a meaning according to a symbol stored in Navnirman's psyche. For instance, 'AB' in a number plate brought the word 'Abhi' to his mind, which is 'Now' in Hindi. 'GL' stood for 'God's Luck', 'HF' translated to 'High Frequency' signifying that his vibration was tuning into the Higher Cosmic frequencies, and that his awareness was expanding!
He even started linking the interpretations of 2 separate number plates to create an expanded meaning for himself!
Navnirman excitedly started looking for an opportunity to receive a communication from the Universe. Gradually, he started seeing messages in the alphabets that precede the numbers on vehicles. In fact, he even started seeing messages in other places, such as the room numbers of the hotels he stayed in while traveling, the word count of the messages he typed, the time in watches (14.00 meant to him 'Double Lucky and Nothing but Nothing Else, a very solid supportive statement from the Universe to rid the doubts that gathered in his mind over the purpose of his existence) 02.13 meant 'Tu One Tinno' i.e. You (Tu) 3 (Tinno from Hindi when referring to 3 as a combined entity) are One, meaning the Spirit, Mind and Body that was Navnirman were now united and working in harmony.
In addition to bolstering his self-esteem, the numbers, letters and symbols were also guiding him in his evolution. For instance, while checking into a hotel room with number '321', he knew it was a call to practice and live from the perspective of a Spirit-Mind-Body combine rather than from the limited perspective of his mortal personality.
"Navnirman's spiritual progress hastened considerably since he started communicating with the Universe in this manner. Emboldened with the evidence he was creating, he even started posing questions to the Universe. One of the most amazing ones was after he read a spiritual book in which the author wrote that by asking his inner wisdom, he learnt that he had lived 647 previous lives in various incarnations. A desire crossed Navnirman's mind as he waited at a red light one day. Hopefully, he posed the question to himself: 'How many lives has it been for me?' And the first number plate his eyes met read: WB-02 0647!
This was indeed a very dramatic moment for Navnirman that brought him to a state of ecstasy at the power of the Infinite Spirit that dwells all. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he had also lived the same number of previous lives as the book's author. He reminded himself that there are no coincidences in this Universe, and did his best to accept this answer from the Universe with faith. The last vestiges of doubt from him were removed when he analysed the preceding part of the number - WB-02. A flash came to him with clear meaning. Wo (He) Bhi (Also); Tu [(As) You] (have lived) 0647. The Universe knew the genesis of Navnirman's question, and had answered fittingly to help him increase his faith that the author and Navnirman had both lived 647 previous lives."
"Guruji, isn't this remarkable? Sounds too fantastic to be true!" Jagga commented. He was a young lad in his teens, and had already become curious about the ways of the Universe. He loved attending Mahira's discourses for the wonderful evidence he gathered to strengthen his faith in the Higher Power.
Mahira knew the young kid believed somewhere in his being, yet was dumbstruck at such a 'coincidence'. "We all keep saying the powers of the Infinite are much more than we can ever imagine, yet when we see such evidence we all feel the amazement and wonder at how such a fantastically improbable thing could occur at a red light!"
"Soon, this spread to other matters, and Navnirman now sought and received guidance on any matter he desired. The sound of a flying plane coming to his awareness signified to him that he was also flying high, i.e. connected with his Higher Source. His experiences during his meditations became more powerful and more varied as he simply allowed the Universe to show him the way more and more."
"These, my friends, were the wonderful series of experiences that Navnirman had himself created for himself, to aid his own development. We all have our unique way of communicating with the Divine, none higher or lower than the other. Go forth, and seek within. God's Grace to All."
Yogi Navnirman was a young, enthusiastic follower who evolved spiritually at Mahira's feet and now spent time moving around different parts of the world with a single burning desire to aid the spiritual awakening of all those who were asking.
Mahira often recalled his experiences of some of the interesting and unique pathways in the progress of other beings he had come in contact with. In fact, he shared more information on the path to enlightenment of others than about himself. When questioned by an observant visitor at the ashram, he would state that the path to complete realization becomes easier when we know there have been many who got there, and more importantly, they used diverse paths to their unfoldment. Mahira always encouraged folks who came for the evening discourses to go within themselves, and seek their unique inner guidance. He loved to repeat that the Universe was more diverse than the human mind could every grasp, and if we just allowed our inner voice to guide us, we all were capable of creating unique and beautiful experiences of our own individual realities.
One day, to a gathering of eager disciples, Mahira recounted Navnirman's unique way of communicating with the Universe through numbers and other symbols.
"The Universe we live in, is a dynamic energy system, and all that inhabits our Universe, is interconnected to all other forms of matter (energy) whether animate or inanimate. In other words, each member of the Universe, however big or small, however near or distant, shares a common Consciousness. We are in a constant state of contact with all else, whether we are aware of this or not. For the music composers, the Universe communicates by providing new compositions, for the author, new ideas or entire stories. Each one of us receives clear communication when we allow it to come into our awareness."
"Navnirman was often fascinated by this, and wanted to deepen his awareness and even to establish conscious communication. He found a very unique way indeed. He told me how it all started almost immediately after he first became aware of this concept. He had an office job then that required traveling. One day, while waiting at a red light, his attention was drawn to the number plates of the vehicles. He started pondering upon the numbers that his eyes caught 'at random'.
9277 was the one such number. He delved deeper into his being, so he could relate to the meaning in this number for he knew his current life experiences had the meaning all wrapped up to be discovered. And then it came in a flash to him: 'Now, tu bar bar lucky' � this was a mix of his native tongue, Hindi and English, as these were the predominant languages he grew up with. And it all made perfect sense to him. For, the number 9 is pronounced 'Nau' in Hindi, which closely matches the 'Now' of English. 2 sounds like 'Tu' which in Hindi means 'You'. Repeat of no. 7 (the generally accepted denotation for luck in our times by the masses, although all numbers are equally 'lucky' in the eyes of the Universe) meant again and again (bar-bar in Hindi).
Navnirman was excited for many reasons. For one, the Universe was validating that whatever he was, however he was, wherever he was, he was always lucky! Many amongst us seek approval and acknowledgment through our work, our good behaviour, our charitable deeds etc. and Navnirman had found that he could receive such acknowledgment from the Universe itself, simply by tuning in and being aware.
He started looking obsessively looking out at other number plates, and found some interesting messages, all of which did not make complete sense at that time. And he conjured a meaning for each number he saw. And he came to realize that these meanings were equally accessible and applicable to any being that chose to interpret them.
1 meant the Universe was addressing him (or anyone who chose to tune in so) directly as in 'Continuously or Repeatedly, One is Lucky' when he saw the Seven 11 signboards while traveling in America. Another instance he felt he was being referred directly (because at this point in time and space, he was choosing to believe so) was when he saw his birth year (19)68 appear in numbers. '6877' or '7168' meant the Universe's constant reminder for him to believe he was lucky or perfect wherever he was, although his mind had some difficulty in accepting this at times. Later, he realized that he was creating (attracting) this constant reminder precisely because he did not yet completely believe he was 'OK' regardless of where he was.
2 meant the Universe was addressing him in a friendly or informal manner for it brought the Hindi 'Tu' immediately to his consciousness.
3 meant the Universe was addressing him or pointing out towards his wholeness by referring to the trio of Spirit, Mind and Body.
4 was straightforward. It meant 'for'.
5 meant the 5 senses.
6 meant seeks because of the closeness in the pronunciation of the number '6' and the word 'seeks'.
7 denoted lucky.
8 meant 'more than lucky'
9 meant 'Now'
0 meant 'nothing' or 'nothing but' as in '2007' to Navnirman was 'You are constantly nothing but lucky'
He created many phrases from the numbers he encountered, such as -
2296 � Bar-Bar Tu seeks (Again and again or Repeatedly You Seek)
5566 � Bar-Bar Panjo Seeks (Again and again the 5 Seek, 'the 5' referring to the 5 senses)
2008 � Tu Bar-Bar Nothing but More than Lucky [zero appearing twice indicated again and again (or repeatedly) nothing but and 8 denoted more than lucky, since it is greater than 7]
1356 � The United ('One') Three All the 5 Seeks: Here, 3 refers to the Spirit-Mind-Body combine that make our beings, 5 denotes the 5 senses. The phrase implied that all the senses and his entire being longed for unity with the One that pervades all.
0008 � Nothing, Nothing, Nothing (but) More than Lucky. This made his day, and helped him to trust in the Higher Power more and more.
7778 � Lucky, Lucky, Lucky, More than Lucky. The repeat of 7 exactly three times denoted that his Spirit was lucky, Mind was lucky, Body was lucky, and since he was gaining this insight, he was now more than lucky.
This tuning into communication soon spread from the numbers to include the alphabets preceding them, with each alphabet conveying a meaning according to a symbol stored in Navnirman's psyche. For instance, 'AB' in a number plate brought the word 'Abhi' to his mind, which is 'Now' in Hindi. 'GL' stood for 'God's Luck', 'HF' translated to 'High Frequency' signifying that his vibration was tuning into the Higher Cosmic frequencies, and that his awareness was expanding!
He even started linking the interpretations of 2 separate number plates to create an expanded meaning for himself!
Navnirman excitedly started looking for an opportunity to receive a communication from the Universe. Gradually, he started seeing messages in the alphabets that precede the numbers on vehicles. In fact, he even started seeing messages in other places, such as the room numbers of the hotels he stayed in while traveling, the word count of the messages he typed, the time in watches (14.00 meant to him 'Double Lucky and Nothing but Nothing Else, a very solid supportive statement from the Universe to rid the doubts that gathered in his mind over the purpose of his existence) 02.13 meant 'Tu One Tinno' i.e. You (Tu) 3 (Tinno from Hindi when referring to 3 as a combined entity) are One, meaning the Spirit, Mind and Body that was Navnirman were now united and working in harmony.
In addition to bolstering his self-esteem, the numbers, letters and symbols were also guiding him in his evolution. For instance, while checking into a hotel room with number '321', he knew it was a call to practice and live from the perspective of a Spirit-Mind-Body combine rather than from the limited perspective of his mortal personality.
"Navnirman's spiritual progress hastened considerably since he started communicating with the Universe in this manner. Emboldened with the evidence he was creating, he even started posing questions to the Universe. One of the most amazing ones was after he read a spiritual book in which the author wrote that by asking his inner wisdom, he learnt that he had lived 647 previous lives in various incarnations. A desire crossed Navnirman's mind as he waited at a red light one day. Hopefully, he posed the question to himself: 'How many lives has it been for me?' And the first number plate his eyes met read: WB-02 0647!
This was indeed a very dramatic moment for Navnirman that brought him to a state of ecstasy at the power of the Infinite Spirit that dwells all. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he had also lived the same number of previous lives as the book's author. He reminded himself that there are no coincidences in this Universe, and did his best to accept this answer from the Universe with faith. The last vestiges of doubt from him were removed when he analysed the preceding part of the number - WB-02. A flash came to him with clear meaning. Wo (He) Bhi (Also); Tu [(As) You] (have lived) 0647. The Universe knew the genesis of Navnirman's question, and had answered fittingly to help him increase his faith that the author and Navnirman had both lived 647 previous lives."
"Guruji, isn't this remarkable? Sounds too fantastic to be true!" Jagga commented. He was a young lad in his teens, and had already become curious about the ways of the Universe. He loved attending Mahira's discourses for the wonderful evidence he gathered to strengthen his faith in the Higher Power.
Mahira knew the young kid believed somewhere in his being, yet was dumbstruck at such a 'coincidence'. "We all keep saying the powers of the Infinite are much more than we can ever imagine, yet when we see such evidence we all feel the amazement and wonder at how such a fantastically improbable thing could occur at a red light!"
"Soon, this spread to other matters, and Navnirman now sought and received guidance on any matter he desired. The sound of a flying plane coming to his awareness signified to him that he was also flying high, i.e. connected with his Higher Source. His experiences during his meditations became more powerful and more varied as he simply allowed the Universe to show him the way more and more."
"These, my friends, were the wonderful series of experiences that Navnirman had himself created for himself, to aid his own development. We all have our unique way of communicating with the Divine, none higher or lower than the other. Go forth, and seek within. God's Grace to All."
Let us always give something
If a person is hungry, we should give them bread. When there is no bread, we can at least give words that nourish. To a person who looks ill or is physically frail, we can turn the conversation to some subject that will lift their spirits and fill them with the hope and determination to get better. Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 25/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 25/12
Solidarity of awakened common people
Many religions have demanded blind faith, taking away people's independence. President Makiguchi opposed such enslavement. What he called for instead was solidarity of awakened common people. To achieve this, he proposed a self-reliant way of life in which we advance on the path of our choice with a firm, independent character. He also stressed a contributive way of life in which we set our fundamental goal in life toward the realization of happiness for ourselves and others, casting aside arrogance and self-satisfaction to respect and benefit others.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 24/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 24/12
Thursday, December 8, 2011
We must not to be swayed by others' opinions or past ways of thinking or doing.
Leo Tolstoy concluded that the only way to bring about a fundamental change in society is to realize a change in public opinion, a change in people's minds. Then how can we change public opinion? Tolstoy asserted: "It is only necessary for people to say what they really think or at least to refrain from saying what they do not think." It is vital, in other words, not to be swayed by others' opinions or past ways of thinking or doing. Instead each of us must become wise, possessing our own firm convictions.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 23/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 23/12
Our Buddhist practice exists so that we can attain indestructible happiness.
Our lives are infinitely precious. To not attain a state of absolute happiness in this life time is a great loss. Our Buddhist practice exists so that we can attain indestructible happiness. We must fight to the fullest right now, not some time in the future.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 22/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 22/12
Nomadic Soul
Spiritual Story by Inderjit Dhariwal
Milwaukee, Wisconsin :
Abe is a large man and looks much younger than his 48 years.
"I am fascinated by the concept of evolution. Life is energy, pure energy and we all start out experiencing the Physical World at basic levels as microbes or other similar primitive creatures, gradually evolving into higher levels of expression."
"Abe, you've always been so obsessed with these larger than life curiosities. Isn't it true that the Soul-Mind-Body combine seek a balanced existence, as you often preach? So, why don't you concentrate on your job and help in the family's finances?"
"Kathy, I know what you mean. But, I keep getting these visions at day and at night. It's as if my inner voice is calling me forth onto my real purpose in this life. I often wonder how the life forms before our time lived, what they felt and thought. You are right. I am obsessed with these matters. Yet, I know what you say is relevant and I'm trying my best to live a useful life. You know what, I feel I truly come alive when I sleep!"
"Abe, you've got to quit being in love with what you experience in your dreams and wake up to the realities of your life. You've had a steady job for 2 months out of the past 6 and it frustrates me to see you wasting away. Anyway, I've got to be up at 5.00 for an early meeting tomorrow. Think over what I've said and try to create a better life for us in your current reality. Good night."
"Goodnight darling. I hope to make it worthwhile for you, all these years you've patiently put up with me."
When Kathy rose at 5 the next morning, she was surprised to see Abe was not in bed. She had an important meeting that morning and she assumed Abe must've gone for an early morning walk, as he sometimes did. Abe did not follow any specific activity regularly for a consistent period of time and it was difficult to say how long each new fad would last for him. She was surprised he did not mention his plans to go for a walk the previous evening, especially since he knew she would be leaving early. Abe carried a terrible guilt at not contributing enough to the family's finances and maybe, his preoccupations did not allow him to enjoy his sleep. Maybe, she was too harsh on him last night. Kathy decided to make up with Abe later in the day and rushed off to work.
"Abe, what were you doing so early today? You didn't tell me you would be up early for your walk?"
"What? Are you kidding? Last night was one of the best nights for me and I enjoyed my sleep. I got up at 7.30 and I've been waiting all day to tell you about my dreams. They are still so vivid; it was as if I was there. Actually, that's what I read somewhere � that during sleep, the soul can travel to any time and to any place it chooses."
"What do you mean? I'm saying I did not find you in bed at 5 and you say you slept until 7.30. How's that possible? I've not known you sleepwalking before."
"Well, maybe you missed me under the blankets. Sleepwalking!! That's an interesting hypothesis. Maybe, I was. Anyway, you got to listen to this. Last night, I dreamt I was a tiny microbe. Actually, I am not sure what I was but from what I could see around me, mostly others like me, I think I was a microbe. Wow! The feeling and the thrill were amazing. I can feel the excitement even now as I imagine myself moving with multiple limbs, just happy to be and not �thinking' of much. Actually, I don't think I was experiencing what we call thinking at all. Life was almost entirely an emotional experience and I clearly remember the overpowering feelings of bliss and peace that I felt just being in the company of others of my kind and the strong bond of love we had for each other. I experienced some pain too. In fact, I woke up with a start just when I thought I was about to die."
"Oh, Mr. Abraham Fox, I've had dreams where I've found myself in totally different, sometimes bizarre environments. But, I've always been me, Kathy, in my dreams. I've never even been another person, much less another creature. Your dreams cover a wider canvass, that's all I can say. Perhaps, you make a deeper connection. Let us both get some good sleep tonight, darling and please don't mention these creepy dreams."
Bob and Dick enjoyed an informal camaraderie that came from the 11 years they had spent together on and off doing the beat. Tonight, they were both happy to be together after a 3-month interval and were patrolling the Fox's neighbourhood. Around 4.00 am, they had just passed the gas station down the road from the Foxes' house that Bob let out a startled yelp. "Hey, Dick! Did you see that thing up there? Man, what do you say about that??!! For a moment, I thought it was a plane, but it's making no sound even though it's flying so low. I think it's like the giant bird I saw on a television programme last week about prehistoric animals. What's the name, umm� yes, Pterosaurs." Bob's hyperactive behaviour had made Dick immune to his excited bursts. Besides, he thought Bob was hallucinating and considered himself to be more alert because he was driving the patrol car. "Bob, creatures like these have been extinct for 70 million years, and I am not buying someone's experimenting with frozen DNA."
"Dick, I am 100% sure I wasn't hallucinating. I saw a huge bird with a wingspan so wide I am sure it was from the Pterosaur family, like the movie I saw with the kids."
As they were arguing, a large, dark shadow started moving across the road and onto the grass leading towards the cluster of houses. Both men looked up to see a huge bird exactly as Bob had described flying slowly towards one of the houses. The view of the entrance of the houses was blocked from where their car was, and Dick stepped on the gas and turned sharply at the bend. As they turned, they were both open-mouthed to find no sign of the giant flying creature.
"Man, are we both dreaming? Where did that thing vanish? I think it must've entered one of the houses by the time we came around the bend." Dick offered, although he wasn't quite sure he could trust his senses.
"Look, Dick!! A feather near the garage of that house!" Bob was out of the car before completing the sentence and was running towards the garage door of one of the houses. "Should we call for back-up or should we alert the people inside?" Bob broke Dick's dilemma by pressing hard on the doorbell.
Kathy woke with a start at the persistent sounds of the doorbell. She was surprised not to find Abe in bed again, and the urgency indicated by the bell was too great for her to ponder further on this. "Yes, officers. Is everything all right? What on earth's happened that you rang the bell at this hour?"
Kathy was pale by the time Bob and Dick had related the sequence of the past few minutes to her, and had shown the feather as evidence. She informed the officers of the previous day's events and her mention of not finding Abe in bed led to a frantic search of the apartment. Bob found Abe sprawled on the garage floor. Abe was startled out of sleep by the sounds of strangers. He looked up wearily, "What the hell am I doing here? And who are you folks?" Kathy had joined Bob and Dick in the garage and helped Abe to his feet. She recounted the sequence of events and showed the feather to a speechless Abe. "Well, that's exactly what I just dreamed of tonight. I was a huge bird flying regally through a night sky, feeling exhilaration, power and bliss�"
Bob had started piecing together the story and offered help. "I am not sure we understand what's going on here. I think we need to get some experts in here who may guide us all. Mr. Fox, considering we have evidence in the form of a feather, sighting of a prehistoric looking creature by two officers, and that you were missing in bed when we called, it would be prudent to keep you under close observation until we all understand what's going on."
"Officers, I would certainly like to co-operate with you as I am also keen to understand what happened during the past 2 nights."
"I am wondering where we could keep you, though. We cannot really take you to our office / prison because we can't justify it legally." Bob was not sure how to handle this situation. "I've been following a Yogi's teachings since sometime now, and I learn that he's in town. Maybe, he can offer some help on this. I am not sure a conventional hospital staff would take too kindly to our explanations of the events, and we all are convinced things are not what they seem to be."
"What is a Yogi? And what good would he be, if trained medical and police departments would not know how to handle this." Kathy did not appear convinced at Bob's proposal. Dick was equally skeptical. "Yeah, Bob, imagine going to a Yogi with a case like this."
"Well, I've been reading a bit on this subject, and this Yogi � Mahira talks about all of us being one all the time. It's like he's obsessed with this idea. Any article, any television interview, the slightest opportunity he gets, he launches with a passion into the basic oneness of all creation. What we are seeing here is hard to figure based on conventional approaches. I think it's worth meeting this yogi. Actually, it's good luck that I know he's traveling through our town because he travels around the world and hardly stays in the same place long enough. Any case, there's nothing to lose and we can figure another approach if this does not help us."
At the appointed date, Kathy, Bob and Abe waited anxiously for their meeting with the Yogi. A feeling of positive anticipation came over them. Mahira sat crosslegged with an infinitely pleasant personage with peace emanating from his entire being.
Kathy and Bob recounted their understanding of the events of the past 2 nights, as Abe squirmed uneasily. He had been feeling a terrible pain for creating this new set of problems for Kathy.
Mahira listened patiently to the events. When Bob and Kathy had finished, he smiled reassuringly. Looking into Bob's eyes, he spoke "You are experiencing oneness with Creation in your uniquely created experiences. Your soul yearns to be all things and to live and feel life from each creature's perspective all at once. In the waking hours, the limitations of the body and the laws of our physical world do not allow you to leave this plane of existence. However, when you sleep, your soul is free to wander as a nomad, and usually, does so."
"For most people, the soul visits other planes of existence, what physicists refer to as parallel universes. In certain instances, the soul visits past or future moments in the same planes of existence and this is how people report of events that are going to happen at different places around the world. In your case, your soul travels to prehistoric times in this plane of existence to fulfill your deepest desires to live every aspect of creation, including that from which current life forms have evolved. Actually, there is but one moment, and our feeling of past and future is based on the perceptions of our physical world. In order to fulfill your desires, you took on a microbial form the first night and turned into a pterosaur the second night."
"I am not sure if I understand all of what you are saying. How do we stop this? Can Abe be dangerous while he's living the life of a different creature?"
"I offer you to come and stay at our meditation center. My colleagues and I here will ensure you can relive these past experiences until your soul decides it no longer needs such experiences. We will create an energy field that would ensure nobody is harmed in case you decided to change form to a dangerous creature and yet you have the opportunity to express your deepest desires. Once your inner yearnings are fully expressed, you can leave our center and return home."
"Thank you very much, Mahira. You have been a blessing for us. I am glad we met you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to handle this." Kathy expressed her sincere gratitude to Mahira.
Abe stayed at the meditation center for 3 weeks and resumed a normal life pattern after his return home. He has now published an autobiographical story based on these experiences and has also found a new job as librarian at the Archaeological Institute.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin :
Abe is a large man and looks much younger than his 48 years.
"I am fascinated by the concept of evolution. Life is energy, pure energy and we all start out experiencing the Physical World at basic levels as microbes or other similar primitive creatures, gradually evolving into higher levels of expression."
"Abe, you've always been so obsessed with these larger than life curiosities. Isn't it true that the Soul-Mind-Body combine seek a balanced existence, as you often preach? So, why don't you concentrate on your job and help in the family's finances?"
"Kathy, I know what you mean. But, I keep getting these visions at day and at night. It's as if my inner voice is calling me forth onto my real purpose in this life. I often wonder how the life forms before our time lived, what they felt and thought. You are right. I am obsessed with these matters. Yet, I know what you say is relevant and I'm trying my best to live a useful life. You know what, I feel I truly come alive when I sleep!"
"Abe, you've got to quit being in love with what you experience in your dreams and wake up to the realities of your life. You've had a steady job for 2 months out of the past 6 and it frustrates me to see you wasting away. Anyway, I've got to be up at 5.00 for an early meeting tomorrow. Think over what I've said and try to create a better life for us in your current reality. Good night."
"Goodnight darling. I hope to make it worthwhile for you, all these years you've patiently put up with me."
When Kathy rose at 5 the next morning, she was surprised to see Abe was not in bed. She had an important meeting that morning and she assumed Abe must've gone for an early morning walk, as he sometimes did. Abe did not follow any specific activity regularly for a consistent period of time and it was difficult to say how long each new fad would last for him. She was surprised he did not mention his plans to go for a walk the previous evening, especially since he knew she would be leaving early. Abe carried a terrible guilt at not contributing enough to the family's finances and maybe, his preoccupations did not allow him to enjoy his sleep. Maybe, she was too harsh on him last night. Kathy decided to make up with Abe later in the day and rushed off to work.
"Abe, what were you doing so early today? You didn't tell me you would be up early for your walk?"
"What? Are you kidding? Last night was one of the best nights for me and I enjoyed my sleep. I got up at 7.30 and I've been waiting all day to tell you about my dreams. They are still so vivid; it was as if I was there. Actually, that's what I read somewhere � that during sleep, the soul can travel to any time and to any place it chooses."
"What do you mean? I'm saying I did not find you in bed at 5 and you say you slept until 7.30. How's that possible? I've not known you sleepwalking before."
"Well, maybe you missed me under the blankets. Sleepwalking!! That's an interesting hypothesis. Maybe, I was. Anyway, you got to listen to this. Last night, I dreamt I was a tiny microbe. Actually, I am not sure what I was but from what I could see around me, mostly others like me, I think I was a microbe. Wow! The feeling and the thrill were amazing. I can feel the excitement even now as I imagine myself moving with multiple limbs, just happy to be and not �thinking' of much. Actually, I don't think I was experiencing what we call thinking at all. Life was almost entirely an emotional experience and I clearly remember the overpowering feelings of bliss and peace that I felt just being in the company of others of my kind and the strong bond of love we had for each other. I experienced some pain too. In fact, I woke up with a start just when I thought I was about to die."
"Oh, Mr. Abraham Fox, I've had dreams where I've found myself in totally different, sometimes bizarre environments. But, I've always been me, Kathy, in my dreams. I've never even been another person, much less another creature. Your dreams cover a wider canvass, that's all I can say. Perhaps, you make a deeper connection. Let us both get some good sleep tonight, darling and please don't mention these creepy dreams."
Bob and Dick enjoyed an informal camaraderie that came from the 11 years they had spent together on and off doing the beat. Tonight, they were both happy to be together after a 3-month interval and were patrolling the Fox's neighbourhood. Around 4.00 am, they had just passed the gas station down the road from the Foxes' house that Bob let out a startled yelp. "Hey, Dick! Did you see that thing up there? Man, what do you say about that??!! For a moment, I thought it was a plane, but it's making no sound even though it's flying so low. I think it's like the giant bird I saw on a television programme last week about prehistoric animals. What's the name, umm� yes, Pterosaurs." Bob's hyperactive behaviour had made Dick immune to his excited bursts. Besides, he thought Bob was hallucinating and considered himself to be more alert because he was driving the patrol car. "Bob, creatures like these have been extinct for 70 million years, and I am not buying someone's experimenting with frozen DNA."
"Dick, I am 100% sure I wasn't hallucinating. I saw a huge bird with a wingspan so wide I am sure it was from the Pterosaur family, like the movie I saw with the kids."
As they were arguing, a large, dark shadow started moving across the road and onto the grass leading towards the cluster of houses. Both men looked up to see a huge bird exactly as Bob had described flying slowly towards one of the houses. The view of the entrance of the houses was blocked from where their car was, and Dick stepped on the gas and turned sharply at the bend. As they turned, they were both open-mouthed to find no sign of the giant flying creature.
"Man, are we both dreaming? Where did that thing vanish? I think it must've entered one of the houses by the time we came around the bend." Dick offered, although he wasn't quite sure he could trust his senses.
"Look, Dick!! A feather near the garage of that house!" Bob was out of the car before completing the sentence and was running towards the garage door of one of the houses. "Should we call for back-up or should we alert the people inside?" Bob broke Dick's dilemma by pressing hard on the doorbell.
Kathy woke with a start at the persistent sounds of the doorbell. She was surprised not to find Abe in bed again, and the urgency indicated by the bell was too great for her to ponder further on this. "Yes, officers. Is everything all right? What on earth's happened that you rang the bell at this hour?"
Kathy was pale by the time Bob and Dick had related the sequence of the past few minutes to her, and had shown the feather as evidence. She informed the officers of the previous day's events and her mention of not finding Abe in bed led to a frantic search of the apartment. Bob found Abe sprawled on the garage floor. Abe was startled out of sleep by the sounds of strangers. He looked up wearily, "What the hell am I doing here? And who are you folks?" Kathy had joined Bob and Dick in the garage and helped Abe to his feet. She recounted the sequence of events and showed the feather to a speechless Abe. "Well, that's exactly what I just dreamed of tonight. I was a huge bird flying regally through a night sky, feeling exhilaration, power and bliss�"
Bob had started piecing together the story and offered help. "I am not sure we understand what's going on here. I think we need to get some experts in here who may guide us all. Mr. Fox, considering we have evidence in the form of a feather, sighting of a prehistoric looking creature by two officers, and that you were missing in bed when we called, it would be prudent to keep you under close observation until we all understand what's going on."
"Officers, I would certainly like to co-operate with you as I am also keen to understand what happened during the past 2 nights."
"I am wondering where we could keep you, though. We cannot really take you to our office / prison because we can't justify it legally." Bob was not sure how to handle this situation. "I've been following a Yogi's teachings since sometime now, and I learn that he's in town. Maybe, he can offer some help on this. I am not sure a conventional hospital staff would take too kindly to our explanations of the events, and we all are convinced things are not what they seem to be."
"What is a Yogi? And what good would he be, if trained medical and police departments would not know how to handle this." Kathy did not appear convinced at Bob's proposal. Dick was equally skeptical. "Yeah, Bob, imagine going to a Yogi with a case like this."
"Well, I've been reading a bit on this subject, and this Yogi � Mahira talks about all of us being one all the time. It's like he's obsessed with this idea. Any article, any television interview, the slightest opportunity he gets, he launches with a passion into the basic oneness of all creation. What we are seeing here is hard to figure based on conventional approaches. I think it's worth meeting this yogi. Actually, it's good luck that I know he's traveling through our town because he travels around the world and hardly stays in the same place long enough. Any case, there's nothing to lose and we can figure another approach if this does not help us."
At the appointed date, Kathy, Bob and Abe waited anxiously for their meeting with the Yogi. A feeling of positive anticipation came over them. Mahira sat crosslegged with an infinitely pleasant personage with peace emanating from his entire being.
Kathy and Bob recounted their understanding of the events of the past 2 nights, as Abe squirmed uneasily. He had been feeling a terrible pain for creating this new set of problems for Kathy.
Mahira listened patiently to the events. When Bob and Kathy had finished, he smiled reassuringly. Looking into Bob's eyes, he spoke "You are experiencing oneness with Creation in your uniquely created experiences. Your soul yearns to be all things and to live and feel life from each creature's perspective all at once. In the waking hours, the limitations of the body and the laws of our physical world do not allow you to leave this plane of existence. However, when you sleep, your soul is free to wander as a nomad, and usually, does so."
"For most people, the soul visits other planes of existence, what physicists refer to as parallel universes. In certain instances, the soul visits past or future moments in the same planes of existence and this is how people report of events that are going to happen at different places around the world. In your case, your soul travels to prehistoric times in this plane of existence to fulfill your deepest desires to live every aspect of creation, including that from which current life forms have evolved. Actually, there is but one moment, and our feeling of past and future is based on the perceptions of our physical world. In order to fulfill your desires, you took on a microbial form the first night and turned into a pterosaur the second night."
"I am not sure if I understand all of what you are saying. How do we stop this? Can Abe be dangerous while he's living the life of a different creature?"
"I offer you to come and stay at our meditation center. My colleagues and I here will ensure you can relive these past experiences until your soul decides it no longer needs such experiences. We will create an energy field that would ensure nobody is harmed in case you decided to change form to a dangerous creature and yet you have the opportunity to express your deepest desires. Once your inner yearnings are fully expressed, you can leave our center and return home."
"Thank you very much, Mahira. You have been a blessing for us. I am glad we met you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to handle this." Kathy expressed her sincere gratitude to Mahira.
Abe stayed at the meditation center for 3 weeks and resumed a normal life pattern after his return home. He has now published an autobiographical story based on these experiences and has also found a new job as librarian at the Archaeological Institute.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
New Year's Resolutions: The Two Lists
Spiritual Story by Scott Blum
I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular interaction we had.
"Now that you are becoming more aware," Robert said, "you need to begin to set goals for yourself so you don't lose the momentum you have built."
"Like New Year's resolutions?" I asked.
"That's an interesting idea," he smirked. "Let's do that."
By then I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up because of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh.
"Tonight's assignment is to make two lists," Robert continued. "The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WILL keep. Write the WANT List first, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper."
That night I went home and spent several hours working on the two lists. The WANT List felt overwhelming at first, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn't gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fill the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier, and I was able to quickly commit ten practical resolutions that I felt would be both realistic and helpful.
The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food Co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. "Tell me about your two lists," Robert said as the familiar smirk crept onto his face.
"The first list contains all the things I SHOULD do if I completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to be. And the second list contains all the things I COULD do by accepting my current life, and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead."
"Let me see the second list," he said.
I handed him the second list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at first, but after I calmed down I began to think about the first list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the first list was the only one that really mattered.
"And now, the first list." Robert bowed his head and held out both of his hands.
I purposefully handed him the first list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an unusually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it.
"What did you do that for?!" I couldn't hide my anger any longer.
Robert began to speak in a quiet and assured voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do."
He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me.
I opened it carefully, and found a single word floating in the middle of the white page:
"Love."
I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular interaction we had.
"Now that you are becoming more aware," Robert said, "you need to begin to set goals for yourself so you don't lose the momentum you have built."
"Like New Year's resolutions?" I asked.
"That's an interesting idea," he smirked. "Let's do that."
By then I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up because of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh.
"Tonight's assignment is to make two lists," Robert continued. "The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WILL keep. Write the WANT List first, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper."
That night I went home and spent several hours working on the two lists. The WANT List felt overwhelming at first, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn't gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fill the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier, and I was able to quickly commit ten practical resolutions that I felt would be both realistic and helpful.
The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food Co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. "Tell me about your two lists," Robert said as the familiar smirk crept onto his face.
"The first list contains all the things I SHOULD do if I completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to be. And the second list contains all the things I COULD do by accepting my current life, and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead."
"Let me see the second list," he said.
I handed him the second list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at first, but after I calmed down I began to think about the first list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the first list was the only one that really mattered.
"And now, the first list." Robert bowed his head and held out both of his hands.
I purposefully handed him the first list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an unusually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it.
"What did you do that for?!" I couldn't hide my anger any longer.
Robert began to speak in a quiet and assured voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do."
He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me.
I opened it carefully, and found a single word floating in the middle of the white page:
"Love."
For Today and Tomorrow
Buddhism holds that everything is in a constant state of flux. Thus the question is whether we are to accept change passively and be swept away by it or whether we are to take the lead and create positive changes on our own initiative. While conservatism and self-protection might be likened to winter, night and death, the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize ideals evokes images of spring, morning and birth.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 21/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 21/12
Don't be impatient. Since you have embraced the Gohonzon, your situation will definitely improve.
President Toda used to say: "Don't be impatient. Since you have embraced the Gohonzon, your situation will definitely improve. There's no need to worry. Sure there will be hard times, times when you feel like crying. But as long as you have the Gohonzon, your life will become bright and joyful." As long as we persevere in faith, we will become happy. We must never doubt this no matter what happens but always advance resolutely, staunchly enduring all hardships and obstacles along the way. This is what true faith is.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 20/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 20/12
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
My Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual Story by Pat Campbell
For most of my life I was an agnostic but that all changed for me in 2004! I didn't become spiritual all of a sudden but the impetus to follow a
spiritual pathway was sudden.
Up until that point in time I often had a tendency to feel sorry for myself and in fact engineered situations (either deliberately or subconsciously) that gave me a reason to have a "pity party". From the age of about 30 or so, I would set aside time when I could be alone to watch sad movies or listen to sad music which would trigger off a crying spell and once I was in that sad mood, I would allow myself to dwell on all my grievances, regrets and memories which added fuel to my mood. But when I was around other people I was pretty good at pretending I was happy unless someone teased or criticised me, in which case I could cry about it for days. I took everything very seriously.
It all came to the crunch in early 2004 when I decided to start my own business after doing a course in small business management. But I couldn't get motivated. So I spent a great deal of time reading motivational stuff on the net. I kept reading that I was responsible for the garbage in my life and part of me believed it but part of me wouldn't accept it. I also realised that running a business was the first really adult thing I had ever tried to do in my life. And I rebelled against it. At the same time I was convinced that most people didn’t really like me and so I was avoiding contact with friends and family much of the time, often remaining shut in my flat for days on end. I thought I was doing people a favour if I stayed out of their lives as much as possible.
One day, the 5th of May 2004 to be precise, I was sitting at the computer reading all this stuff and I had a sort of tantrum that got out of control. I was thinking, "I don't want to be responsible for myself; I want someone to rescue me. I don't even want to work. Why should I have to? I just want to have fun. It isn't fair ... blah blah blah blah blah."
Then suddenly, I was overtaken by a feeling that is indescribable. Although I was still in my room, that wasn't what I was seeing; I lost all concept of place and time. I was in a totally desolate place with no sign of life, not even a blade of grass existed, just dry cracked earth. It was as though the whole world had been annihilated and I was the sole survivor. And I was left with a very definite message, "You think you want to be alone? I’ll show you what "alone" really is!"
I can't even begin to describe the feeling of shock, horror, fear and total aloneness. And I felt this unbearable pain, worse than anything humanly imaginable, but it wasn't physical; it felt like something was trying to rip my soul out of my body. And for the first time in my life I prayed, "Please God, please help me. Is anyone out there? Please help me." I didn’t make a conscious decision to pray; I did it instinctively.
Well after some time, probably only minutes but it felt much longer, it stopped. I felt very rattled and somewhat confused for the next couple of days. Then three days later I suddenly realised that something had changed. The negative voice in my head had disappeared; it had been there since I was a very young child (less than 5 years old).
I said to myself, "I think my negative voice has gone." And a voice answered, "Yes it has and it won’t come back unless you allow it." At the time I had no curiosity as to who answered me but on later reflection, I believe it is quite possible that it was God Himself. I have never again heard His voice audibly though. Also, I realised that the burden of guilt which I had carried most of my life had been dissolved.
And then I felt a wonderful love feeling (which I now call the "God feeling"); I
never knew I could feel like that. I just sat there for hours saying, "wow". The "God feeling" has happened many times since but never for such a long period of time, although I often experience a milder version where I can still function normally and get amazing insights, wisdom or creative bursts. I think that God sent me that wonderful feeling, at least in the early days, so that I would know that the wisdom I was receiving came from Him. As time went on and I developed more intuitive awareness, I found it easier to recognise the truth myself.
So it was my desire to experience that feeling again that kept me glued to a spiritual pathway. I spent the greater part of my days for around 18 months studying, meditating, discussing, analysing etc and at the same time digging up and disposing of all the trash in my past. I didn't have a bad childhood; I wasn't abused or anything (just consistently criticised) and I was properly fed and protected but my parents were undemonstrative and I had failed to learn what love was or even how to relate to other people. I had a very highly developed left brain and a sadly lacking right brain.
But in a series of leaps interspersed with plateaus I finally figured a lot of things out. I had help here and there and one of the most helpful things of all was a channelling done by a very talented psychic (my reiki master). Some very interesting stuff came out of that including the fact that I had shut down my senses as a child to avoid pain and fear (I fell into the kerosene heater when I was 2) and so I was only receiving a fraction of the input from around me. I guess I had a high IQ to compensate or it developed because I had little to distract me. It does explain why I had felt very little connection to others during my life up to that point and found it difficult to understand a lot of things which are instinctive for many people.
According to my Higher Self, during the episode described above (which I call my "freak out"), part of my brain "exploded" because of all the conflicting and negative data in there and it left a big vacuum so it was easy for God to come in. So that was why I was able to accomplish a decade or two of spiritual growth in a relatively short period of time.
I am immensely grateful for everything that has happened to me (including the freak out). There have been many challenges since but there has also been very rapid growth. After a couple of years it did level off and the lessons became more subtle. There were often several different parts that had to be amalgamated before I could work out what the lesson was.
Sometimes I have periods where nothing seems to be happening. I tend to get bored and restless at such times but I guess it is part of the spiritual journey to find contentment during the voids. I really seem to only feel alive when I am learning a new spiritual lesson (good or bad) and have yet to learn to be more patient before the next lesson arrives.
I find it very hard to believe at times that God has only been in my life for 5 years. It is hard now to imagine what my life was like beforehand. In fact God has become the most important factor in my life, the one constant amid the changes.
For most of my life I was an agnostic but that all changed for me in 2004! I didn't become spiritual all of a sudden but the impetus to follow a
spiritual pathway was sudden.
Up until that point in time I often had a tendency to feel sorry for myself and in fact engineered situations (either deliberately or subconsciously) that gave me a reason to have a "pity party". From the age of about 30 or so, I would set aside time when I could be alone to watch sad movies or listen to sad music which would trigger off a crying spell and once I was in that sad mood, I would allow myself to dwell on all my grievances, regrets and memories which added fuel to my mood. But when I was around other people I was pretty good at pretending I was happy unless someone teased or criticised me, in which case I could cry about it for days. I took everything very seriously.
It all came to the crunch in early 2004 when I decided to start my own business after doing a course in small business management. But I couldn't get motivated. So I spent a great deal of time reading motivational stuff on the net. I kept reading that I was responsible for the garbage in my life and part of me believed it but part of me wouldn't accept it. I also realised that running a business was the first really adult thing I had ever tried to do in my life. And I rebelled against it. At the same time I was convinced that most people didn’t really like me and so I was avoiding contact with friends and family much of the time, often remaining shut in my flat for days on end. I thought I was doing people a favour if I stayed out of their lives as much as possible.
One day, the 5th of May 2004 to be precise, I was sitting at the computer reading all this stuff and I had a sort of tantrum that got out of control. I was thinking, "I don't want to be responsible for myself; I want someone to rescue me. I don't even want to work. Why should I have to? I just want to have fun. It isn't fair ... blah blah blah blah blah."
Then suddenly, I was overtaken by a feeling that is indescribable. Although I was still in my room, that wasn't what I was seeing; I lost all concept of place and time. I was in a totally desolate place with no sign of life, not even a blade of grass existed, just dry cracked earth. It was as though the whole world had been annihilated and I was the sole survivor. And I was left with a very definite message, "You think you want to be alone? I’ll show you what "alone" really is!"
I can't even begin to describe the feeling of shock, horror, fear and total aloneness. And I felt this unbearable pain, worse than anything humanly imaginable, but it wasn't physical; it felt like something was trying to rip my soul out of my body. And for the first time in my life I prayed, "Please God, please help me. Is anyone out there? Please help me." I didn’t make a conscious decision to pray; I did it instinctively.
Well after some time, probably only minutes but it felt much longer, it stopped. I felt very rattled and somewhat confused for the next couple of days. Then three days later I suddenly realised that something had changed. The negative voice in my head had disappeared; it had been there since I was a very young child (less than 5 years old).
I said to myself, "I think my negative voice has gone." And a voice answered, "Yes it has and it won’t come back unless you allow it." At the time I had no curiosity as to who answered me but on later reflection, I believe it is quite possible that it was God Himself. I have never again heard His voice audibly though. Also, I realised that the burden of guilt which I had carried most of my life had been dissolved.
And then I felt a wonderful love feeling (which I now call the "God feeling"); I
never knew I could feel like that. I just sat there for hours saying, "wow". The "God feeling" has happened many times since but never for such a long period of time, although I often experience a milder version where I can still function normally and get amazing insights, wisdom or creative bursts. I think that God sent me that wonderful feeling, at least in the early days, so that I would know that the wisdom I was receiving came from Him. As time went on and I developed more intuitive awareness, I found it easier to recognise the truth myself.
So it was my desire to experience that feeling again that kept me glued to a spiritual pathway. I spent the greater part of my days for around 18 months studying, meditating, discussing, analysing etc and at the same time digging up and disposing of all the trash in my past. I didn't have a bad childhood; I wasn't abused or anything (just consistently criticised) and I was properly fed and protected but my parents were undemonstrative and I had failed to learn what love was or even how to relate to other people. I had a very highly developed left brain and a sadly lacking right brain.
But in a series of leaps interspersed with plateaus I finally figured a lot of things out. I had help here and there and one of the most helpful things of all was a channelling done by a very talented psychic (my reiki master). Some very interesting stuff came out of that including the fact that I had shut down my senses as a child to avoid pain and fear (I fell into the kerosene heater when I was 2) and so I was only receiving a fraction of the input from around me. I guess I had a high IQ to compensate or it developed because I had little to distract me. It does explain why I had felt very little connection to others during my life up to that point and found it difficult to understand a lot of things which are instinctive for many people.
According to my Higher Self, during the episode described above (which I call my "freak out"), part of my brain "exploded" because of all the conflicting and negative data in there and it left a big vacuum so it was easy for God to come in. So that was why I was able to accomplish a decade or two of spiritual growth in a relatively short period of time.
I am immensely grateful for everything that has happened to me (including the freak out). There have been many challenges since but there has also been very rapid growth. After a couple of years it did level off and the lessons became more subtle. There were often several different parts that had to be amalgamated before I could work out what the lesson was.
Sometimes I have periods where nothing seems to be happening. I tend to get bored and restless at such times but I guess it is part of the spiritual journey to find contentment during the voids. I really seem to only feel alive when I am learning a new spiritual lesson (good or bad) and have yet to learn to be more patient before the next lesson arrives.
I find it very hard to believe at times that God has only been in my life for 5 years. It is hard now to imagine what my life was like beforehand. In fact God has become the most important factor in my life, the one constant amid the changes.
Sincere words of encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living.
Encouragement—offering encouraging words—is important. Nichiren Daishonin states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). Sincere words of encouragement have the power to give people hope and courage to go on living.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 19/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 19/12
What should SGI members devoted to?
We SGI members devote ourselves to serving the Law, serving humanity. Ours is not an egocentric life. That is why we are busier than others and perhaps don't have as much opportunity for relaxation with our families. Nevertheless, we continue to devote ourselves to others. Ours is the most noble way of life. We must make sure our children can understand and respect our beliefs, our way of life and our dedication. We must make conscious efforts to verbalize and communicate our thoughts and feelings to them. Finding the wisdom for this task is an expression of our faith.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 18/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 18/12
Monday, December 5, 2011
Our life-condition continues beyond death, into eternity.
We are all human beings; in that regard, we are all the same. The only real difference lies in people's life-conditions. Our life-condition continues beyond death, into eternity. Therefore, as the Daishonin says, "Faith alone is what really matters."
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 17/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 17/12
Are there heart-to-heart bonds?
Outward appearance is not important—what counts is what is inside our hearts. Are there heart-to-heart bonds? Some families may always be together physically but are estranged at heart. Some families can only get together for brief periods but manage to enjoy concentrated and lively heart-to-heart communication when they do meet. Families that share bonds of closeness based on day-to-day efforts are ones in which the members feel comfortable and at ease with each other, no matter where they are or what they're doing.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 16/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 16/12
Sunday, December 4, 2011
My Old Bible
Spiritual Story by Larry McNeely
Did you ever have something that meant so much to you; something that was a part of your everyday life; something that you didn't think you could let go of?
That "something" for me was my King James Version, Ryrie Study Bible. The time was May, 2003; and this Bible had been my "familiar friend" since August, 1987. I am certain of the dates because I wrote them down... in my Bible. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a sin to write in your Bible. If it was a sin, I would be the "chief" of sinners.
My Bible looked like a road map that had every tiny town, village, hamlet, and back road listed on it. I thought all this was normal until somebody would make a comment such as: "How in the world do you read that?"; or "Are you crazy - writing all over your Bible like that?" You'd have thought I'd committed the unpardonable sin!
I guess you could call me a "serial dater", because every date of every day of every year (for a lot of years) was written down multiple times, by verses that meant a lot to me. Precious promises of God; other favorite verses; notes about marriage, divorce, births, deaths, personal struggles and triumphs were all written down on the flyleaves of my "familiar friend."
I think there were a few tear stains on some pages of my old Bible. Some of the pages were torn and were starting to fall out; the cover was coming apart, but I fixed that with duct tape. I got a lot of grief from my kids about the duct tape.
I also wrote, in my old Bible some personal symbols that meant different things to me. I wrote !!! with a circle around it; that is pretty self-explanatory. Oh, but my favorite was a triangle with a small dot in the center. This symbolized The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit surrounding me. God gave me this, and it is very special to me. These symbols that God allowed me to write beside His holy scripture enhanced the importance of those words to me. I also used different colored "highlighters" for extra emphasis on some scriptures.
It finally got to the point that I knew it was time to let my old friend go.
I don't mind telling you that "retiring" my old Bible was a very hard thing to do. I went to the Christian bookstore; looked at several different Bibles; but walked out with a King James Version, Ryrie Study Bible - the same as my "old friend" - minus the dates, symbols, highlights, and other things, of course. It is now March 31, 2008; and my "new friend" has a strong resemblance to my "old friend."
I remember watching a news show several years ago about the "Lost Boys of Sudan." The show was about a group of mostly teenage boys that had been forced to leave their homes because of war. They had walked over 1000 miles; with only the clothes on their back, and what small amount they could carry. I think they had reached some sort of refugee camp.
A reporter was talking to one of the young men. That young man was holding a Bible, and the reporter asked why he had carried that Bible with him for over 1000 miles. The young man, grinning from ear to ear, said
"Because, it is my life!"
I know what that young man meant...
Did you ever have something that meant so much to you; something that was a part of your everyday life; something that you didn't think you could let go of?
That "something" for me was my King James Version, Ryrie Study Bible. The time was May, 2003; and this Bible had been my "familiar friend" since August, 1987. I am certain of the dates because I wrote them down... in my Bible. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a sin to write in your Bible. If it was a sin, I would be the "chief" of sinners.
My Bible looked like a road map that had every tiny town, village, hamlet, and back road listed on it. I thought all this was normal until somebody would make a comment such as: "How in the world do you read that?"; or "Are you crazy - writing all over your Bible like that?" You'd have thought I'd committed the unpardonable sin!
I guess you could call me a "serial dater", because every date of every day of every year (for a lot of years) was written down multiple times, by verses that meant a lot to me. Precious promises of God; other favorite verses; notes about marriage, divorce, births, deaths, personal struggles and triumphs were all written down on the flyleaves of my "familiar friend."
I think there were a few tear stains on some pages of my old Bible. Some of the pages were torn and were starting to fall out; the cover was coming apart, but I fixed that with duct tape. I got a lot of grief from my kids about the duct tape.
I also wrote, in my old Bible some personal symbols that meant different things to me. I wrote !!! with a circle around it; that is pretty self-explanatory. Oh, but my favorite was a triangle with a small dot in the center. This symbolized The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit surrounding me. God gave me this, and it is very special to me. These symbols that God allowed me to write beside His holy scripture enhanced the importance of those words to me. I also used different colored "highlighters" for extra emphasis on some scriptures.
It finally got to the point that I knew it was time to let my old friend go.
I don't mind telling you that "retiring" my old Bible was a very hard thing to do. I went to the Christian bookstore; looked at several different Bibles; but walked out with a King James Version, Ryrie Study Bible - the same as my "old friend" - minus the dates, symbols, highlights, and other things, of course. It is now March 31, 2008; and my "new friend" has a strong resemblance to my "old friend."
I remember watching a news show several years ago about the "Lost Boys of Sudan." The show was about a group of mostly teenage boys that had been forced to leave their homes because of war. They had walked over 1000 miles; with only the clothes on their back, and what small amount they could carry. I think they had reached some sort of refugee camp.
A reporter was talking to one of the young men. That young man was holding a Bible, and the reporter asked why he had carried that Bible with him for over 1000 miles. The young man, grinning from ear to ear, said
"Because, it is my life!"
I know what that young man meant...
Taking care of your children.
The good fortune that accrues to parents who apply themselves diligently to SGI activities will protect their children without fail. Based on this conviction, you must still make positive efforts to open and sustain dialogue with your children, not allowing yourselves to neglect them, claiming that you're too busy or it can't be helped, or telling yourselves that somehow things will be taken care of. Unless you exert yourselves in this way, you are irresponsible parents who lack compassion.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 15/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 15/12
How to become wise, so that we can live wisely?
Faith manifests itself as wisdom. The purpose of our faith is to become wise, so that we can live wisely. The desire to save others becomes merely an abstract goal if those who practice faith cannot communicate with their own children nor build strong and happy families.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 14/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 14/12
Saturday, December 3, 2011
What is the purpose of organization of faith?
The organization of faith is not something that holds you back or restricts you. Rather, it is a springboard that enables you to develop yourself to the utmost and to lead the most dynamic existence. It is the most precious place for carrying out our Buddhist practice.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 13/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 13/12
What matters is that the children maintain their connection to the Gohonzon and the SGI for their entire lives.
Sometimes your children may not be able to do gongyo, but there is no reason for parents to become overly concerned or agitated about this. There are times when chanting only three daimoku is sufficient. To continue practicing [even though gongyo may not be consistent] is far more important. What matters is that the children maintain their connection to the Gohonzon and the SGI for their entire lives.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 12/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 12/12
My Birthday Gift
My Birthday Gift
Spiritual Story by Leslie Moon Blackburn
Today is my birthday. Little did I know that God had bigger plans for me than I had for myself. The gift I received today was magical and I was blessed. I chose to listen and then obeyed the still small voice from with in. We truly are God's Angels.
Today is my birthday and what a great day I am going to have. I scheduled a vacation day today so I could spend the whole day doing things for myself. I have been thinking of this day for months, in fact I have been planning this day for months and it has finally arrived and its time to celebrate my birth.
As I awoke this morning, I lay in bed listening to the birds outside my window singing a birthday song just for me. I sat up and rested my head against the headboard of my bed, enjoying the magic of the morning. As I lay there breathing in the gift of life my mind drifted off to the activities that I had planned for myself. First thing I had planned was to get up and get my kids off to school, once that task was accomplished, I was going to make myself a fresh cup of coffee and then run me a hot bath with lots of bubbles, candles and incense and slip into the healing waters to release the stress of everyday life. I have been working so much over time at my job that it seems like I spend more time at work than I do in my own home.
I finally got my children off to school, put on a fresh pot of coffee to start my day, I prepared my bubble bath, put on some soothing music, poured me a cup of coffee, disrobed and slowly lowered myself into the healing waters to soak. As I lay there enjoying my quiet time, the day's events were running through my mind of how I planned on spending my birthday. The first thing on my agenda was to go get my hair, colored, cut and styled. Next I planned on taking myself to lunch to a fancy seafood restaurant uptown. Then I was going to hit the malls and buy me some shoes, perfume and jewelry and finally end my afternoon with a sappy love story at the movie theaters before having to go pick up my children from school.
As I was listening to my meditating music and enjoying my rich brewed cup of coffee, I heard a voice. At first I thought I imagined this voice, I thought maybe all the stress I had experienced all week from work was taking its toll on my mind. I tried to ignore this voice by turning up the music a little louder to drown it out, but sometime strange happened when I tried to turn up the music, the volume switch was not working and in fact the music I was hearing was not the music I put in to listen too. The music that filled my space sounded like angels singing. I stopped and listened to the sweet harmony of the invisible heavenly choir, when I heard the voice again. As I listened to this voice a feeling of peace and love filled my soul, tears welled up in my eyes and even though I was submerged in a hot tub of water, chills swept throughout my entire body. This voice was almost like a whisper, as though someone was trying to talk, but you could only hear the words from within the mind.
The voice said to me; "Happy Birthday, my child, this is how you will celebrate your birthday for today". "First you will go give the gift of life, you will donate your blood. Next you will go purchase three flowers. Two yellow carnations and one red rose. Next you will go find someone to give those flowers to."
After I listened to what the voice said to me, I busted out laughing. I said; "I'm not going to spend my birthday doing that, what are you, crazy?" This is my special day and I already have plans. Once again in a very sweet gentle tone, the voice gave me the same instructions as before and then said to me, "You are a very special spirit, you are loved dearly and you will do what you know is right".
I laid there in my bathtub contemplating the words that were just spoken to me and listening to the heavenly choir of angels as the music faded into the ethers and my meditating music returned. What just happened? I asked myself. Was that for real? Did I imagine that conversation in my mind?
I got out of the tub and got myself ready for my birthday plans for the day. I left my house and was heading towards the hair salon when I came up to a red light. I stopped and instantly I heard that voice again, only this time it was not gentle and was not soft spoken, it was like I was being screamed at. The voice said to me in a very demanding tone, "Put your car in reverse and back up 50 feet away from the light" My first thought was, that's ridiculous, why would I want to do that?
Once again the voice demanded me to back my car away from the red light, so I obeyed the voice and put my car in reverse, first checking to make sure there were no cars behind me and as soon as I was 50 feet away from the red light, this truck came whipping around the corner at a very high speed and over corrected himself which forced his vehicle into the space where my car had been previously parked. As I sat in my car and witness what had just taken place, a quiver surged through my body as I realize that my life had just been protected from a dangerous situation. I sat there until the light changed to green then I slowly and cautiously drove though the intersection as my mind raced and my body shook.
The voice once again told me how I was going to spend my birthday and like a spoiled child I protested loudly and as I was having my mini temper tantrum my cell phone rang and it was the hair salon telling me that they needed to cancel my appointment. After I hung up the phone, I said in a very irritating voice, "Fine, you win thanks for ruining my birthday plans". As I drove I tried to calm myself and change my attitude so that I would not ruin my own birthday. I drove east towards the blood bank and thought maybe if I hurried and did all the things that voice had told me to do for my birthday then I could still continue with my previous plans and still do what I wanted to do. You know how spoiled children are, always wanting their own way.
I pulled into the blood bank and went inside and filled out the paperwork to have my blood drawn. As I was waiting to be called back a phone call came into the center and the nurse on the phone asked if anybody in the center was O negative blood type. I told her that I was. She then asked me if I would be willing to drive to the children's medical center and give blood up there because there was new born baby that needed a blood transfusion and his life depended on it. I looked at her and remembered the voice telling me how I was going to spend my birthday and tears were running down my face as I told her, I would be honored to go up to the medical center and give the gift of life.
I was soon sitting at the children's medical center waiting for my blood to be drawn and it was then that I realized I had forgotten to tell the blood bank a very important piece of information regarding my blood type. I have given blood before and years ago when they tested my blood they found a very helpful RhD-antibody in my blood that helps with HDN. (Hemolytic disease of the newborn). As I sat in the chair watching the plastic bag being filled with my gift of life, my mind suddenly began to replay my magical morning and it was then that I realized that God works in mysterious ways.
After I left the blood bank, I had decided to go find the flowers that the voice had told me to buy. I walked into a grocery store and headed towards the floral department and as I walked into that section, directly on the shelf in a crystal vase, were two yellow carnations and one red rose. I picked up the gift, paid for it and walked to my car, wondering who I was suppose to give them to. As I sat in my car looking at the beautiful flowers, that spoiled child came out to play once again. She threw a fit and told me, "It's your birthday, I can't believe that you are going to give your flowers to someone else." I sat there listening to that inner chatter and decided that she was right, it is my birthday and I am going to keep the flowers for myself, it was then that I looked to the north of were I was parked and noticed a rest home for the elderly and knew that someone in that place needed flowers.
I drove across the street and parked my car in the parking lot of the rest home. I got out with the flowers and walked into the office of the care center and asked the director if there was anyone who could use a visitor and who would love to have some flowers to brighten up there day? This director looked at me with tear filled eyes and said to me. "You're an answer to our prayers" She proceeded to tell me that there was a little lady by the name of Vivian who never has anyone come to visit with her and she could use a visitor.
I walked down the hall with the director and was introduced to a very special little angel by the name of Vivian. The director left me standing there in the door way of this womens room. I felt a bit uncomfortable because this little lady had never met me and when I told her I wanted to visit with her and give her flowers to brighten up her day, she growled at me in a very angry voice. She said to me; " Why would you want to visit with a crabby old lady who you have never met, I don't even know you, so get out of my room."
I stood there for a minute and almost left. Then I said to myself, Ok God. This is your idea, you take it from here. You better soften this womens heart or I'm out of here.
As soon as I thought those words, the little lady said to me, "What kind of flowers did you bring me"? I told her that I had carnations and roses and when I told her that ,she broke down and started to sob uncontrollably. When I seen her reaction, I went over to her and sat on her bed and held her in my arms as she wept. She cried for a long time as I handed her tissue after tissue to catch her tears. Then she looked at me and said my dear husband used to buy me those flowers, two yellow carnations and one red rose and today would have been our 70th wedding anniversary. God does answer prayers.
It was then that I realized, I was an answer to many peoples prayers today. God gave me a message of how I was to spend my birthday and I listenend to his words and by doing so, I gave a gift to many people, including one to myself. The gift I received was the most important gift of all, it was the gift of sharing the love that is inside me, with others instead of keeping it all to myself.
When God speaks, listen to that still small voice, follow the instructions given from within and by doings so we ourselves are blessed more than we could ever imagine. God's Angels on earth are really people who listen to the messages received and share that message with humanity.
Some words of advise: no matter how silly it all seems, even if it doesn't make sence to you at the time when you receive your message, trust in your higher power and see the blessing unfold right before your eyes.
Spiritual Story by Leslie Moon Blackburn
Today is my birthday. Little did I know that God had bigger plans for me than I had for myself. The gift I received today was magical and I was blessed. I chose to listen and then obeyed the still small voice from with in. We truly are God's Angels.
Today is my birthday and what a great day I am going to have. I scheduled a vacation day today so I could spend the whole day doing things for myself. I have been thinking of this day for months, in fact I have been planning this day for months and it has finally arrived and its time to celebrate my birth.
As I awoke this morning, I lay in bed listening to the birds outside my window singing a birthday song just for me. I sat up and rested my head against the headboard of my bed, enjoying the magic of the morning. As I lay there breathing in the gift of life my mind drifted off to the activities that I had planned for myself. First thing I had planned was to get up and get my kids off to school, once that task was accomplished, I was going to make myself a fresh cup of coffee and then run me a hot bath with lots of bubbles, candles and incense and slip into the healing waters to release the stress of everyday life. I have been working so much over time at my job that it seems like I spend more time at work than I do in my own home.
I finally got my children off to school, put on a fresh pot of coffee to start my day, I prepared my bubble bath, put on some soothing music, poured me a cup of coffee, disrobed and slowly lowered myself into the healing waters to soak. As I lay there enjoying my quiet time, the day's events were running through my mind of how I planned on spending my birthday. The first thing on my agenda was to go get my hair, colored, cut and styled. Next I planned on taking myself to lunch to a fancy seafood restaurant uptown. Then I was going to hit the malls and buy me some shoes, perfume and jewelry and finally end my afternoon with a sappy love story at the movie theaters before having to go pick up my children from school.
As I was listening to my meditating music and enjoying my rich brewed cup of coffee, I heard a voice. At first I thought I imagined this voice, I thought maybe all the stress I had experienced all week from work was taking its toll on my mind. I tried to ignore this voice by turning up the music a little louder to drown it out, but sometime strange happened when I tried to turn up the music, the volume switch was not working and in fact the music I was hearing was not the music I put in to listen too. The music that filled my space sounded like angels singing. I stopped and listened to the sweet harmony of the invisible heavenly choir, when I heard the voice again. As I listened to this voice a feeling of peace and love filled my soul, tears welled up in my eyes and even though I was submerged in a hot tub of water, chills swept throughout my entire body. This voice was almost like a whisper, as though someone was trying to talk, but you could only hear the words from within the mind.
The voice said to me; "Happy Birthday, my child, this is how you will celebrate your birthday for today". "First you will go give the gift of life, you will donate your blood. Next you will go purchase three flowers. Two yellow carnations and one red rose. Next you will go find someone to give those flowers to."
After I listened to what the voice said to me, I busted out laughing. I said; "I'm not going to spend my birthday doing that, what are you, crazy?" This is my special day and I already have plans. Once again in a very sweet gentle tone, the voice gave me the same instructions as before and then said to me, "You are a very special spirit, you are loved dearly and you will do what you know is right".
I laid there in my bathtub contemplating the words that were just spoken to me and listening to the heavenly choir of angels as the music faded into the ethers and my meditating music returned. What just happened? I asked myself. Was that for real? Did I imagine that conversation in my mind?
I got out of the tub and got myself ready for my birthday plans for the day. I left my house and was heading towards the hair salon when I came up to a red light. I stopped and instantly I heard that voice again, only this time it was not gentle and was not soft spoken, it was like I was being screamed at. The voice said to me in a very demanding tone, "Put your car in reverse and back up 50 feet away from the light" My first thought was, that's ridiculous, why would I want to do that?
Once again the voice demanded me to back my car away from the red light, so I obeyed the voice and put my car in reverse, first checking to make sure there were no cars behind me and as soon as I was 50 feet away from the red light, this truck came whipping around the corner at a very high speed and over corrected himself which forced his vehicle into the space where my car had been previously parked. As I sat in my car and witness what had just taken place, a quiver surged through my body as I realize that my life had just been protected from a dangerous situation. I sat there until the light changed to green then I slowly and cautiously drove though the intersection as my mind raced and my body shook.
The voice once again told me how I was going to spend my birthday and like a spoiled child I protested loudly and as I was having my mini temper tantrum my cell phone rang and it was the hair salon telling me that they needed to cancel my appointment. After I hung up the phone, I said in a very irritating voice, "Fine, you win thanks for ruining my birthday plans". As I drove I tried to calm myself and change my attitude so that I would not ruin my own birthday. I drove east towards the blood bank and thought maybe if I hurried and did all the things that voice had told me to do for my birthday then I could still continue with my previous plans and still do what I wanted to do. You know how spoiled children are, always wanting their own way.
I pulled into the blood bank and went inside and filled out the paperwork to have my blood drawn. As I was waiting to be called back a phone call came into the center and the nurse on the phone asked if anybody in the center was O negative blood type. I told her that I was. She then asked me if I would be willing to drive to the children's medical center and give blood up there because there was new born baby that needed a blood transfusion and his life depended on it. I looked at her and remembered the voice telling me how I was going to spend my birthday and tears were running down my face as I told her, I would be honored to go up to the medical center and give the gift of life.
I was soon sitting at the children's medical center waiting for my blood to be drawn and it was then that I realized I had forgotten to tell the blood bank a very important piece of information regarding my blood type. I have given blood before and years ago when they tested my blood they found a very helpful RhD-antibody in my blood that helps with HDN. (Hemolytic disease of the newborn). As I sat in the chair watching the plastic bag being filled with my gift of life, my mind suddenly began to replay my magical morning and it was then that I realized that God works in mysterious ways.
After I left the blood bank, I had decided to go find the flowers that the voice had told me to buy. I walked into a grocery store and headed towards the floral department and as I walked into that section, directly on the shelf in a crystal vase, were two yellow carnations and one red rose. I picked up the gift, paid for it and walked to my car, wondering who I was suppose to give them to. As I sat in my car looking at the beautiful flowers, that spoiled child came out to play once again. She threw a fit and told me, "It's your birthday, I can't believe that you are going to give your flowers to someone else." I sat there listening to that inner chatter and decided that she was right, it is my birthday and I am going to keep the flowers for myself, it was then that I looked to the north of were I was parked and noticed a rest home for the elderly and knew that someone in that place needed flowers.
I drove across the street and parked my car in the parking lot of the rest home. I got out with the flowers and walked into the office of the care center and asked the director if there was anyone who could use a visitor and who would love to have some flowers to brighten up there day? This director looked at me with tear filled eyes and said to me. "You're an answer to our prayers" She proceeded to tell me that there was a little lady by the name of Vivian who never has anyone come to visit with her and she could use a visitor.
I walked down the hall with the director and was introduced to a very special little angel by the name of Vivian. The director left me standing there in the door way of this womens room. I felt a bit uncomfortable because this little lady had never met me and when I told her I wanted to visit with her and give her flowers to brighten up her day, she growled at me in a very angry voice. She said to me; " Why would you want to visit with a crabby old lady who you have never met, I don't even know you, so get out of my room."
I stood there for a minute and almost left. Then I said to myself, Ok God. This is your idea, you take it from here. You better soften this womens heart or I'm out of here.
As soon as I thought those words, the little lady said to me, "What kind of flowers did you bring me"? I told her that I had carnations and roses and when I told her that ,she broke down and started to sob uncontrollably. When I seen her reaction, I went over to her and sat on her bed and held her in my arms as she wept. She cried for a long time as I handed her tissue after tissue to catch her tears. Then she looked at me and said my dear husband used to buy me those flowers, two yellow carnations and one red rose and today would have been our 70th wedding anniversary. God does answer prayers.
It was then that I realized, I was an answer to many peoples prayers today. God gave me a message of how I was to spend my birthday and I listenend to his words and by doing so, I gave a gift to many people, including one to myself. The gift I received was the most important gift of all, it was the gift of sharing the love that is inside me, with others instead of keeping it all to myself.
When God speaks, listen to that still small voice, follow the instructions given from within and by doings so we ourselves are blessed more than we could ever imagine. God's Angels on earth are really people who listen to the messages received and share that message with humanity.
Some words of advise: no matter how silly it all seems, even if it doesn't make sence to you at the time when you receive your message, trust in your higher power and see the blessing unfold right before your eyes.
Moccasin Balance
Spiritual Story by Bruce Bevens
Lame Elk, who had just passed his 14th year, had taken on the family responsibility of his father, Standing Elk. His father and mother had both been killed several months before in an attack on the village by a nomadic hostile tribe. He was fulfilling all his father's and mother's duties of providing food, shelter and nurturing for his younger brother and two younger sisters.
He was proud of himself, even though it was harder to do than he let on. A widowed aunt who lived with her children in the next tepee helped look after them some, but Lame Elk shouldered most of the parental duties for his siblings. That meant hunting for food, carrying the water from the stream, tending the fires and even the cooking. And that didn't even count the arrow and arrowhead making, tanning hides, repairing the tepee and tribal duties as well.
Lame Elk was determined to keep the family together and not have his siblings split up among the other families of the tribes. Besides, almost all the tepees had suffered their own losses due to the attack. There was much sadness and suffering in the village. Many of the elders had been killed or disabled and there were others his age having to do the same as he was doing. The normal ways of sharing and co-operation had also suffered as everyone was trying to hold their own because the chief had been slain a well. And even after all this time, there was still turmoil over who his successor would be. The tribe was in a grieving limbo without leadership.
Lame Elk, called Little Elk when he was younger, had earned his new name because he was granted permission to keep and wear his late father's moccasins. However the moccasins were too big and he walked with a very slight limping gait because of it. But the moccasins were his father's and his mother had just made them for him before they were slain. The beadwork was extraordinary and the deerskin was soft and supple. His aunt offered to refashion them so they fit better but Lame Elk refused. The name had started out as a friendly kidding by boyhood friends. He had tied leather strips around the moccasins to keep them from slipping so much but they just made them more uncomfortable. So the name stuck but he didn't mind too much. The name brought some levity into the dire circumstances that they were experiencing.
A few months prior to his parents' deaths he had been called by a vision to apprentice to the tribe's Shaman, Red Eagle, to learn the Medicine Ways of the Many Trails. However, his new responsibilities had now put constraints on his spiritual evolvement, but he vowed to continue with his lessons. It was his calling by the Creator.
Red Eagle had become not only a teacher to Lame Elk but also a fatherly figure as well.
The soft spoken but firm shaman was as important, if not more so, to Lame Elk as the lessons that he was teaching him.
Red Eagle knew of Lame Elk's quandary and so he wisely worked around his new role as head of the family. He arranged the lessons on days when there was plenty of food and hunting was not required or at night when the moon was just right. After all, his commitment to his shamanic journey would be never-ending.
The Medicine Ways of the Many Trails was very important to Lame Elk, but he was trying so hard to be father, mother and brother as well as shaman apprentice that it was more and more difficult for him to recoup his energy each day. There was an underlying sadness, resentment and sometimes anger to his demeanor that he masked.
However, today, Lame Elk was excited. He and Red Eagle were going to take a new trail called The Trail of Balance. He knew that it would be an arduous trek as it was up into the mountains on a hidden, winding and treacherous path that few had traveled before. The trip would take two days or more, but he had brought home enough meat to share with other families who in turn would take care of his family while he was gone.
Lame Elk's father had taught him well in the art of the hunt. Red Eagle had taught him to ask the animals for permission to hunt them for food during his nightly meditations. He always thanked the animals for their sacrifice. Thus, he was a very successful hunter even though there were times that the moccasins caused him to lose a good shot due to his shuffling or from a sudden pain from a stone or stick that had made its way into one of them.
In the early morning, as they started up the trail, the sun was bright and there were a few wispy clouds that seemed to be painted on the sky by the Creator. The canvas was occasionally enhanced by the silhouette of a soaring eagle or hawk overhead. The air was, both, cool and warm, at the same time.
The trail was as Lame Elk had imagined. It was steep and, in many spots, too narrow for them to walk alongside one another. Sometimes the edge of one side of the trail disappeared into a silent abyss. It was cluttered with rocks and fallen limbs that proved its disuse. Thorny vines pulled at their leather garments as they walked. Sometimes the sounds of a faint, hidden rattling broke the momentary silence of the trail. But to Lame Eagle it provided an adventure of an undaunted daring and, at the same time, a catharsis for his spirit. The occasional growl of a distant bear or the scream of a lonely puma made it even more exhilarating, surging his hunter instincts.
As they walked side by side on the wider part of the trail, Red Eagle showed him the plants that made good medicine and what they were used for and how to prepare them. He was very detailed in his telling so that Lame Elk would remember the lessons.
They continued on their walk while Red Eagle talked to the plants, trees, rocks and animals along the way. He was teaching Lame Elk how to read the energy signatures of each. He was also teaching him to be spiritually balanced with all things around him. He wanted Lame Elk to respect that all things are alive with spirit and to know, that by listening beyond his ears, he could hear them communicating with him.
"We are connected in spirit to all things in this universe and all things are connected to us and we are all connected to the Creator as One," Red Eagle told Lame Elk. "We are all a part of the Creator's Web of Life that stretches beyond the stars," he continued. "Before you go on your Vision Quest, I will take you on a mutual vision to the Top of the World where you can see its vastness."
However as they walked, he noticed that Lame Elk was limping more than usual. He said nothing, as it was up to his apprentice to speak of it first.
As they traveled upward toward the summit and talked about all the things that Lame Elk had learned this first day, Red Eagle noticed that his limp was becoming even more pronounced than before. He still said nothing. Instead, he pointed to a line of ants on the ground. He drew Lame Elk's attention to how they shared the work and seemed to go about their duties as of one mind, carrying the heavier crumbs together.
"One of the major lessons on the Trail of Balance", said Red Eagle, "is that one has to be balanced at all times with Nature, Mother Earth and especially within oneself. Balance is imperative in all that you do in this lifetime as a warrior, as a hunter and as a shaman. As long as you are balanced, you can achieve wonders, even against many odds," Red Elk told him. "Balance is also necessary in your personal and family life as well as in your spiritual aspect."
Lame Elk hung on every word that Red Eagle spoke even though, at times, he seemed somewhat distracted to his teacher.
After they reached the summit, they made a campfire and got ready to settle in for the night while the lessons continued.
As they sat quietly in front of the fire dining on smoked deer jerky, Lame Elk began rubbing his feet through his moccasins and wincing as he did. Finally, Lame Elk broke the silence. "My feet are really hurting. The pain runs all the way up to my head."
"Why don't you take off your moccasins?" asked Red Eagle.
Lame Elk reluctantly complied. A dozen or more small stones fell out of each moccasin as he took he took them off.
"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you get rid of the stones earlier?" queried Red Eagle in a puzzled tone.
"I felt that I had to do what was expected of me and not complain on this special trail that we are on," answered Lame Elk. "Besides, my moccasins are so big that even if I dumped out the stones I would have just gotten more. At least this way, no more could get in them. I thought that I was getting use to them, but I guess I wasn't."
Red Eagle chuckled out loud but not so loudly as to offend the young student.
"Why have you not let your aunt remake the moccasins for you so that they fit", asked Red Eagle.
"I don't want to offend my mother by altering what she had made for my father and I don't want to dishonor my father by changing what was his," answered Lame Elk. "Besides, I will grow into them."
Red Eagle looked at the young brave with compassion but maintained his teacher composure.
"Lame Elk, since your parents' deaths you have sacrificed much for your family just as do the animals that make their own sacrifices so your hunt will be successful. You sacrifice your own poise by wearing moccasins that gather even more burdens for you to carry on your walk. Before you grow into them, they will have been worn away by the stones and uneven wear."
"What can I do?" asked Lame Elk with frustration.
"You are not on this journey alone, my young apprentice. As with the other families in the village you must make changes. You and the others in the village must adapt to the losses that you have suffered," answered Red Eagle. "You must look for new ways of balance."
"First of all, now that you have rid your moccasins of the stones, do as I suggest. Take the stones and throw them as far as you can. Release their hold on you. They are no more in your life. Then take your moccasins over to the stream and soak them thoroughly."
"But that will ruin them. They will crack and become hard. My mother took great pains in making them soft and comfortable," replied Lame Elk with deep concern.
"If you do as I suggest, they will be as soft as before. After you have soaked them put them back on your feet and let them dry by our fire. Then as they are just about dry and shrinking to your feet, rub this oil all over them and let them finish drying. The oils will also keep them from cracking when they get wet in the future." Red Eagle said.
To Lame Elk's amazement, after the moccasins had completely dried, they fit his feet perfectly and because of the oils they were just as soft as before. They were just as his mother had made them except they were smaller. At first, he walked. Then he ran around the campsite, making high pitched whooping calls. He no longer had any limp at all. Lame Elk felt reborn.
"Maybe we should change your name to Running Elk now," laughed Red Eagle.
"No I will keep my name. It has helped lead me to this truth" Lame Elk stated with pride.
"And what truth is that?" asked Red Eagle.
"That there are other ways to do things without changing the essence of what is already.
You showed me how to fix my moccasins without altering what my mother had made as they would have been had my aunt reworked them to fit me."
"And how does that relate to balance?" asked Red Eagle.
"Now that I am able to walk more freely I can do things without having to think about my moccasins. So now I can concentrate my attention on more important things. And I won't be collecting any more stones. I won't feel so fettered and frustrated," gleefully shouted Lame Elk.
"How can you make similar changes in your family life? How can you become more balanced and lighten some more of your load?" Red Eagle questioned.
"My brother and sisters are getting older, so I can teach them how to do some of the chores that I have been doing by myself. They can help fetch the water, keep the campfire going, collect the wood, pick berries, and tan hides. I will even teach my sisters to cook. And I can share that with the other young men of the tribe who are doing the same thing. We can work together to share the work just like the ants. Without the chief, we have all seemed lost in our ways," replied Lame Elk with a more controlled voice.
"Sounds like you are beginning to understand. But, Lame Elk, I would let your aunt teach your sisters how to cook. I have tasted your cooking," laughed Red Eagle.
And how will all of this help in balance?" questioned Red Eagle.
"I will be able to devote more time to my lessons, meditations, tribal duties and honing my hunting skills," answered Lame Elk. "I will be happier without feeling so resentful and stronger with less fatigue."
"You are beginning to learn your lessons," remarked Red Eagle. "But we have many lessons in balance yet to go. These lessons have just touched on the ways of balance in the various aspects of who you are. You must keep your body strong, your mind sharp and alert, your emotions fluid and your spirit soaring."
"Tomorrow we will make our way back down the other side of the trail and I will teach you more about balance, Red Eagle said with his eyes twinkling. We have a long, narrow rock bridge over a deep, deep crevasse to cross."
Lame Elk, who had just passed his 14th year, had taken on the family responsibility of his father, Standing Elk. His father and mother had both been killed several months before in an attack on the village by a nomadic hostile tribe. He was fulfilling all his father's and mother's duties of providing food, shelter and nurturing for his younger brother and two younger sisters.
He was proud of himself, even though it was harder to do than he let on. A widowed aunt who lived with her children in the next tepee helped look after them some, but Lame Elk shouldered most of the parental duties for his siblings. That meant hunting for food, carrying the water from the stream, tending the fires and even the cooking. And that didn't even count the arrow and arrowhead making, tanning hides, repairing the tepee and tribal duties as well.
Lame Elk was determined to keep the family together and not have his siblings split up among the other families of the tribes. Besides, almost all the tepees had suffered their own losses due to the attack. There was much sadness and suffering in the village. Many of the elders had been killed or disabled and there were others his age having to do the same as he was doing. The normal ways of sharing and co-operation had also suffered as everyone was trying to hold their own because the chief had been slain a well. And even after all this time, there was still turmoil over who his successor would be. The tribe was in a grieving limbo without leadership.
Lame Elk, called Little Elk when he was younger, had earned his new name because he was granted permission to keep and wear his late father's moccasins. However the moccasins were too big and he walked with a very slight limping gait because of it. But the moccasins were his father's and his mother had just made them for him before they were slain. The beadwork was extraordinary and the deerskin was soft and supple. His aunt offered to refashion them so they fit better but Lame Elk refused. The name had started out as a friendly kidding by boyhood friends. He had tied leather strips around the moccasins to keep them from slipping so much but they just made them more uncomfortable. So the name stuck but he didn't mind too much. The name brought some levity into the dire circumstances that they were experiencing.
A few months prior to his parents' deaths he had been called by a vision to apprentice to the tribe's Shaman, Red Eagle, to learn the Medicine Ways of the Many Trails. However, his new responsibilities had now put constraints on his spiritual evolvement, but he vowed to continue with his lessons. It was his calling by the Creator.
Red Eagle had become not only a teacher to Lame Elk but also a fatherly figure as well.
The soft spoken but firm shaman was as important, if not more so, to Lame Elk as the lessons that he was teaching him.
Red Eagle knew of Lame Elk's quandary and so he wisely worked around his new role as head of the family. He arranged the lessons on days when there was plenty of food and hunting was not required or at night when the moon was just right. After all, his commitment to his shamanic journey would be never-ending.
The Medicine Ways of the Many Trails was very important to Lame Elk, but he was trying so hard to be father, mother and brother as well as shaman apprentice that it was more and more difficult for him to recoup his energy each day. There was an underlying sadness, resentment and sometimes anger to his demeanor that he masked.
However, today, Lame Elk was excited. He and Red Eagle were going to take a new trail called The Trail of Balance. He knew that it would be an arduous trek as it was up into the mountains on a hidden, winding and treacherous path that few had traveled before. The trip would take two days or more, but he had brought home enough meat to share with other families who in turn would take care of his family while he was gone.
Lame Elk's father had taught him well in the art of the hunt. Red Eagle had taught him to ask the animals for permission to hunt them for food during his nightly meditations. He always thanked the animals for their sacrifice. Thus, he was a very successful hunter even though there were times that the moccasins caused him to lose a good shot due to his shuffling or from a sudden pain from a stone or stick that had made its way into one of them.
In the early morning, as they started up the trail, the sun was bright and there were a few wispy clouds that seemed to be painted on the sky by the Creator. The canvas was occasionally enhanced by the silhouette of a soaring eagle or hawk overhead. The air was, both, cool and warm, at the same time.
The trail was as Lame Elk had imagined. It was steep and, in many spots, too narrow for them to walk alongside one another. Sometimes the edge of one side of the trail disappeared into a silent abyss. It was cluttered with rocks and fallen limbs that proved its disuse. Thorny vines pulled at their leather garments as they walked. Sometimes the sounds of a faint, hidden rattling broke the momentary silence of the trail. But to Lame Eagle it provided an adventure of an undaunted daring and, at the same time, a catharsis for his spirit. The occasional growl of a distant bear or the scream of a lonely puma made it even more exhilarating, surging his hunter instincts.
As they walked side by side on the wider part of the trail, Red Eagle showed him the plants that made good medicine and what they were used for and how to prepare them. He was very detailed in his telling so that Lame Elk would remember the lessons.
They continued on their walk while Red Eagle talked to the plants, trees, rocks and animals along the way. He was teaching Lame Elk how to read the energy signatures of each. He was also teaching him to be spiritually balanced with all things around him. He wanted Lame Elk to respect that all things are alive with spirit and to know, that by listening beyond his ears, he could hear them communicating with him.
"We are connected in spirit to all things in this universe and all things are connected to us and we are all connected to the Creator as One," Red Eagle told Lame Elk. "We are all a part of the Creator's Web of Life that stretches beyond the stars," he continued. "Before you go on your Vision Quest, I will take you on a mutual vision to the Top of the World where you can see its vastness."
However as they walked, he noticed that Lame Elk was limping more than usual. He said nothing, as it was up to his apprentice to speak of it first.
As they traveled upward toward the summit and talked about all the things that Lame Elk had learned this first day, Red Eagle noticed that his limp was becoming even more pronounced than before. He still said nothing. Instead, he pointed to a line of ants on the ground. He drew Lame Elk's attention to how they shared the work and seemed to go about their duties as of one mind, carrying the heavier crumbs together.
"One of the major lessons on the Trail of Balance", said Red Eagle, "is that one has to be balanced at all times with Nature, Mother Earth and especially within oneself. Balance is imperative in all that you do in this lifetime as a warrior, as a hunter and as a shaman. As long as you are balanced, you can achieve wonders, even against many odds," Red Elk told him. "Balance is also necessary in your personal and family life as well as in your spiritual aspect."
Lame Elk hung on every word that Red Eagle spoke even though, at times, he seemed somewhat distracted to his teacher.
After they reached the summit, they made a campfire and got ready to settle in for the night while the lessons continued.
As they sat quietly in front of the fire dining on smoked deer jerky, Lame Elk began rubbing his feet through his moccasins and wincing as he did. Finally, Lame Elk broke the silence. "My feet are really hurting. The pain runs all the way up to my head."
"Why don't you take off your moccasins?" asked Red Eagle.
Lame Elk reluctantly complied. A dozen or more small stones fell out of each moccasin as he took he took them off.
"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you get rid of the stones earlier?" queried Red Eagle in a puzzled tone.
"I felt that I had to do what was expected of me and not complain on this special trail that we are on," answered Lame Elk. "Besides, my moccasins are so big that even if I dumped out the stones I would have just gotten more. At least this way, no more could get in them. I thought that I was getting use to them, but I guess I wasn't."
Red Eagle chuckled out loud but not so loudly as to offend the young student.
"Why have you not let your aunt remake the moccasins for you so that they fit", asked Red Eagle.
"I don't want to offend my mother by altering what she had made for my father and I don't want to dishonor my father by changing what was his," answered Lame Elk. "Besides, I will grow into them."
Red Eagle looked at the young brave with compassion but maintained his teacher composure.
"Lame Elk, since your parents' deaths you have sacrificed much for your family just as do the animals that make their own sacrifices so your hunt will be successful. You sacrifice your own poise by wearing moccasins that gather even more burdens for you to carry on your walk. Before you grow into them, they will have been worn away by the stones and uneven wear."
"What can I do?" asked Lame Elk with frustration.
"You are not on this journey alone, my young apprentice. As with the other families in the village you must make changes. You and the others in the village must adapt to the losses that you have suffered," answered Red Eagle. "You must look for new ways of balance."
"First of all, now that you have rid your moccasins of the stones, do as I suggest. Take the stones and throw them as far as you can. Release their hold on you. They are no more in your life. Then take your moccasins over to the stream and soak them thoroughly."
"But that will ruin them. They will crack and become hard. My mother took great pains in making them soft and comfortable," replied Lame Elk with deep concern.
"If you do as I suggest, they will be as soft as before. After you have soaked them put them back on your feet and let them dry by our fire. Then as they are just about dry and shrinking to your feet, rub this oil all over them and let them finish drying. The oils will also keep them from cracking when they get wet in the future." Red Eagle said.
To Lame Elk's amazement, after the moccasins had completely dried, they fit his feet perfectly and because of the oils they were just as soft as before. They were just as his mother had made them except they were smaller. At first, he walked. Then he ran around the campsite, making high pitched whooping calls. He no longer had any limp at all. Lame Elk felt reborn.
"Maybe we should change your name to Running Elk now," laughed Red Eagle.
"No I will keep my name. It has helped lead me to this truth" Lame Elk stated with pride.
"And what truth is that?" asked Red Eagle.
"That there are other ways to do things without changing the essence of what is already.
You showed me how to fix my moccasins without altering what my mother had made as they would have been had my aunt reworked them to fit me."
"And how does that relate to balance?" asked Red Eagle.
"Now that I am able to walk more freely I can do things without having to think about my moccasins. So now I can concentrate my attention on more important things. And I won't be collecting any more stones. I won't feel so fettered and frustrated," gleefully shouted Lame Elk.
"How can you make similar changes in your family life? How can you become more balanced and lighten some more of your load?" Red Eagle questioned.
"My brother and sisters are getting older, so I can teach them how to do some of the chores that I have been doing by myself. They can help fetch the water, keep the campfire going, collect the wood, pick berries, and tan hides. I will even teach my sisters to cook. And I can share that with the other young men of the tribe who are doing the same thing. We can work together to share the work just like the ants. Without the chief, we have all seemed lost in our ways," replied Lame Elk with a more controlled voice.
"Sounds like you are beginning to understand. But, Lame Elk, I would let your aunt teach your sisters how to cook. I have tasted your cooking," laughed Red Eagle.
And how will all of this help in balance?" questioned Red Eagle.
"I will be able to devote more time to my lessons, meditations, tribal duties and honing my hunting skills," answered Lame Elk. "I will be happier without feeling so resentful and stronger with less fatigue."
"You are beginning to learn your lessons," remarked Red Eagle. "But we have many lessons in balance yet to go. These lessons have just touched on the ways of balance in the various aspects of who you are. You must keep your body strong, your mind sharp and alert, your emotions fluid and your spirit soaring."
"Tomorrow we will make our way back down the other side of the trail and I will teach you more about balance, Red Eagle said with his eyes twinkling. We have a long, narrow rock bridge over a deep, deep crevasse to cross."
Friday, December 2, 2011
Become individuals who are strong physically, intellectually and spiritually
President Toda used to say, "Become individuals who are strong physically, intellectually and spiritually." To be strong in all three areas is the ideal. Many people may be strong in one or two of these areas, but only when all three are combined can we enjoy a well-balanced life, a life of resounding victory. Those who cultivate such all-around strength are never defeated.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 11/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 11/12
The power of faith gives us the strength to weather and survive any storm.
We must put down firm roots; we must be strong. Inner strength is a prerequisite for happiness, a prerequisite for upholding justice and one's beliefs. One of the Buddha's titles is "He Who Can Forbear." To courageously endure, persevere and overcome all difficulties—the Buddha is the ultimate embodiment of the virtue of forbearance. The power of faith gives us the strength to weather and survive any storm. Perseverance is the essence of a Buddha.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 10/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 10/12
Message From the Beyond
Message From the Beyond
Spiritual Story by Corinne Edwards
She had been a great beauty in her time. After a failed marriage and the disintegration of her relationship with her only son, she had several relationships with very wealthy men. She was a gorgeous "trophy" girlfriend. They took her to exclusive restaurants - and all over the world, staying in the finest hotels, sailing on the most luxurious ships and bought her jewels, clothes � gave her money and anything else she wanted.
When I met Lee she was far beyond her prime. She reminded me of a tiny, old silent screen star - long bleached blonde hair, wearing heavy eye makeup and inappropriate clothing which ranged from glitzy outfits to cowboy attire with lots of fringe.
She was a fascinating character with many stories to tell so she was fun to be around. Sometimes, when she reminisced, she talked about one of her favorite places - the Capri Palace Hotel at the top of Anacapri Mountain with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples. But she had seen and done it all.
She latched on to me as a prospective drinking buddy. Decided I was a perfect candidate. I lived nearby and was single. But I could not go beyond one or two drinks at the Pump Room, which was a geriatric singles bar on Friday nights. I was a big disappointment to her when I left early.
One morning, she called to ask me how she happened to have 50 balloons in her apartment when she woke up. I didn't know since I had left at 9 PM. There were no balloons around at that time. Since she knew every bartender in Chicago, I suggested she make a few calls to solve the after 9 PM mystery. She hung up on me. Later, she told me she still liked me but I wasn't much of a sport. I plead guilty to the charge.
Lee always had a scheme of how she would make millions with a new idea. She was smart but not a good business person. She always lost money when they failed. She never looked back. Just went on to the next. Then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her doctors offered many options from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation.
She refused them all � instead, she decided to live the way she always did. She bought expensive new clothes and booked a three week luxury cruise to the Orient. She gave herself an extravagant 70th birthday lunch in an exclusive restaurant. It was over $100. a person. Of course, we all had to pay the bill. But, that was Lee.
She was well for about a year until the cancer took over. She was dying and had no resistance to it happening. Although she had regrets about the lack of communication with her son and his children, she felt she had not missed a thing in her life. She had been everywhere, done everything. There was nothing else to do. A few days before she died, she called me and asked me to come to see her.
When I arrived, she was in full makeup and dressed in a beautiful silk nightgown. Her mind was very clear. She came right to the point. She said, "I have always thought when you died, you just went into the ethers of the Universe and were no more. I want to know what you think."
I told her I thought that our identity lived on in spirit. In thought. And that there was a life that was lived on the other side. We talked about the Robin Williams movie, What Dreams May Come, where we could create anything we wanted with our thoughts. She liked that idea. She said, "I want to live in a beautiful hotel, have all the money I want and order anything I need from room service!" Then, she added, "And if that movie is true, I'll make a deal with you. I'll get back to you somehow and let you know."
A year later, I went to the ceremony in the cemetery to dedicate her stone. I had heard nothing from her. Afterwards, there was a lunch. Her son had come with his children. We were all sitting around during dessert telling "Lee stories." There were so many wonderful and outrageous ones! Her little eight year old grandson was sitting across from me at the table. He had seldom seen his grandmother.
All of a sudden, he piped up. "I had a dream about my grandmother last night." We stopped to let him talk. He continued, "I dreamed she was very happy. She was living in a beautiful hotel that was very high on a mountain. You could see all around from that hotel."
People like Lee leave a big hole in our energy system when they depart this world. They are not ordinary and take up a lot of space that needs to be replaced. I miss her. So does everyone else who knew this extraordinary and flamboyant character.
She never got a Ph.D. but she used her gifts to get along in life. Beauty, charm, intelligence and a lack of fear to take chances. Some may regard these as shallow, but who are we to judge someone who did the best they could with what they had? I am happy she is in Capri. She loved it there.
Thanks for getting back to us, Lee. You kept your promise.
Spiritual Story by Corinne Edwards
She had been a great beauty in her time. After a failed marriage and the disintegration of her relationship with her only son, she had several relationships with very wealthy men. She was a gorgeous "trophy" girlfriend. They took her to exclusive restaurants - and all over the world, staying in the finest hotels, sailing on the most luxurious ships and bought her jewels, clothes � gave her money and anything else she wanted.
When I met Lee she was far beyond her prime. She reminded me of a tiny, old silent screen star - long bleached blonde hair, wearing heavy eye makeup and inappropriate clothing which ranged from glitzy outfits to cowboy attire with lots of fringe.
She was a fascinating character with many stories to tell so she was fun to be around. Sometimes, when she reminisced, she talked about one of her favorite places - the Capri Palace Hotel at the top of Anacapri Mountain with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples. But she had seen and done it all.
She latched on to me as a prospective drinking buddy. Decided I was a perfect candidate. I lived nearby and was single. But I could not go beyond one or two drinks at the Pump Room, which was a geriatric singles bar on Friday nights. I was a big disappointment to her when I left early.
One morning, she called to ask me how she happened to have 50 balloons in her apartment when she woke up. I didn't know since I had left at 9 PM. There were no balloons around at that time. Since she knew every bartender in Chicago, I suggested she make a few calls to solve the after 9 PM mystery. She hung up on me. Later, she told me she still liked me but I wasn't much of a sport. I plead guilty to the charge.
Lee always had a scheme of how she would make millions with a new idea. She was smart but not a good business person. She always lost money when they failed. She never looked back. Just went on to the next. Then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her doctors offered many options from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation.
She refused them all � instead, she decided to live the way she always did. She bought expensive new clothes and booked a three week luxury cruise to the Orient. She gave herself an extravagant 70th birthday lunch in an exclusive restaurant. It was over $100. a person. Of course, we all had to pay the bill. But, that was Lee.
She was well for about a year until the cancer took over. She was dying and had no resistance to it happening. Although she had regrets about the lack of communication with her son and his children, she felt she had not missed a thing in her life. She had been everywhere, done everything. There was nothing else to do. A few days before she died, she called me and asked me to come to see her.
When I arrived, she was in full makeup and dressed in a beautiful silk nightgown. Her mind was very clear. She came right to the point. She said, "I have always thought when you died, you just went into the ethers of the Universe and were no more. I want to know what you think."
I told her I thought that our identity lived on in spirit. In thought. And that there was a life that was lived on the other side. We talked about the Robin Williams movie, What Dreams May Come, where we could create anything we wanted with our thoughts. She liked that idea. She said, "I want to live in a beautiful hotel, have all the money I want and order anything I need from room service!" Then, she added, "And if that movie is true, I'll make a deal with you. I'll get back to you somehow and let you know."
A year later, I went to the ceremony in the cemetery to dedicate her stone. I had heard nothing from her. Afterwards, there was a lunch. Her son had come with his children. We were all sitting around during dessert telling "Lee stories." There were so many wonderful and outrageous ones! Her little eight year old grandson was sitting across from me at the table. He had seldom seen his grandmother.
All of a sudden, he piped up. "I had a dream about my grandmother last night." We stopped to let him talk. He continued, "I dreamed she was very happy. She was living in a beautiful hotel that was very high on a mountain. You could see all around from that hotel."
People like Lee leave a big hole in our energy system when they depart this world. They are not ordinary and take up a lot of space that needs to be replaced. I miss her. So does everyone else who knew this extraordinary and flamboyant character.
She never got a Ph.D. but she used her gifts to get along in life. Beauty, charm, intelligence and a lack of fear to take chances. Some may regard these as shallow, but who are we to judge someone who did the best they could with what they had? I am happy she is in Capri. She loved it there.
Thanks for getting back to us, Lee. You kept your promise.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
What does faith mean in Buddhism?
Faith means infinite hope, and infinite hope resides in the SGI. As long as your faith is sincere, infinite glory, boundless good fortune and endless victory will unfold before you. You will never find yourselves at a dead end.
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 9/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 9/12
Love In Action
Spiritual Story by Ma Prem Pushpa
Once upon a time there lived a man in England. Matisse was his name. Creation was his greatest passion. Art, music, poetry — each realm was a way for him to express a light-blue energy of universe coming through him to awaken higher levels of consciousness in people. Yoga was his foundation; he went there as deep as he only could and the mystical experiences it provided were integral part of his life.Yoga practice helped Matisse to keep channels in his dark-skinned body clean so he could pour abundance of God into his works.
In his thirties he was rather famous throughout Great Britain. He displayed his works at many exhibitions and people were enchanted by his creativity. He connected 3 spheres into one whole: each picture he created was followed by his music and poems. His greatest desire was to awaken people to feel God deep within themselves. "Let divine seed grow, let your individuality blossom" was his motto. He was realizing God as a transcendental eternal energy which saturated universe. Each second he felt it in the air that surrounded him, he saw it in children�s eyes, in the leaves of the trees that were murmuring prayers on the wind and even in the concrete jungles of his native city. He saw God in everything and God was an inner stillness of the Power.
Matisse�s life was going on in creativity and work. But then one day while sitting in meditation deep at night being parched with thirst of enlightenment he heard a whisper coming from within: "Go to St.Petersburg to continue your realization � there�s a lesson you should study on the lands of Russia." And so he went. His good British friend Frank met him at the airport. He had been living in Petersburg for about 6 years by this time and still was fascinated by it.
"You are just in time, my dear friend," he said with his eyes shimmering with gladness, "an exhibition of Tibetan art is opening tomorrow. Moreover real Tibetan monks will sing their special prayers there and will build sacred mandala. It's just what you need, isn't it?"
"I guess..."
"To my deep regret I can't invite you to live at my place as Rita, my wife, has very strong negative feelings against dark-skinned people. I can't find a way to make her change her mind. But I've found you a good flat to rent."
Matisse was shocked. His mind was so far away from these prejudices that it was a significant blow for him to realize that people are still steeped in such ideas.
"Frank, this is ridiculous. There's a divine seed in each of us, we are all united as spirits, we just should be brave enough to go deeper to perceive it."
"Well, Mat, it's a matter of time, flaming desire, and hard work. Be aware that there are a lot of people here who think in this way. Prejudices are very strong."
"These people need help to realize who they really are."
"They just need love, Matisse."
The next day, the friends went to the exhibition. The space was full of clean white energy that was circulating around and providing positive changes to all guests and members. Matisse felt clear pearling alive spirit sparkling with joy inside. And then he saw her eyes. They showed him deepness, consciousness, beauty, but above all the eternal wisdom of a real Woman. In that moment, a new kind of energy awakened within each of them.
No borders, no limits. All masks and disguises faded away revealing ecstatic dance of two pure spirits. Love came as a revelation that became a turning point in their lives. Matisse realized what his creative works were missing and why he always was unsatisfied. Warmness of the heart, yellow light sparkling with gold, love energy that is what he'll fulfill his creations with. Together they will make a space full of light and understanding and will help people to transform themselves into real individuals who are fragrant with freedom.
And so they married. Matisse settled down in St. Petersburg inspired with his new plans. The conception of his mission was to unite people of different nations, religions and customs, to help people to realize that their unique specific traditions and their brightly expressed features deserve to be respected and treated accordingly. "It doesn't make a difference what color of skin do you have–your individual work, your spiritual growth, your aims–these are the most important things you should think of. Follow the way of love as God is love and it's real," Matisse thought to himself.
Matisse and his fabulous wife Ariadna organized a society called "The space of love and light." They made presentations of Matisse's creations, invited remarkable people from all over the world to make speaches within the conception of their society. Ariadna led yoga and meditation classes and organized trips to the holy places of the world guided by professionals.
As time passed by, the gorgeous unordinary couple became famous. People were astonished by paintings Matisse did and by divine music he composed. His works touched their hearts, brought joy and gladness into their lives. He shared the beauty of real love with all Russian people.
Matisse will remain a remarkable figure in the history of art, music and literature as his appearance highlights the beginning of the new age in Russia–a time of arising consciousness among people, time of inner blossom and developing. Matisse celebrated the forthcoming century of real love that washes away all borders; he inspired Russian people to follow the way of the heart.
Once upon a time there lived a man in England. Matisse was his name. Creation was his greatest passion. Art, music, poetry — each realm was a way for him to express a light-blue energy of universe coming through him to awaken higher levels of consciousness in people. Yoga was his foundation; he went there as deep as he only could and the mystical experiences it provided were integral part of his life.Yoga practice helped Matisse to keep channels in his dark-skinned body clean so he could pour abundance of God into his works.
In his thirties he was rather famous throughout Great Britain. He displayed his works at many exhibitions and people were enchanted by his creativity. He connected 3 spheres into one whole: each picture he created was followed by his music and poems. His greatest desire was to awaken people to feel God deep within themselves. "Let divine seed grow, let your individuality blossom" was his motto. He was realizing God as a transcendental eternal energy which saturated universe. Each second he felt it in the air that surrounded him, he saw it in children�s eyes, in the leaves of the trees that were murmuring prayers on the wind and even in the concrete jungles of his native city. He saw God in everything and God was an inner stillness of the Power.
Matisse�s life was going on in creativity and work. But then one day while sitting in meditation deep at night being parched with thirst of enlightenment he heard a whisper coming from within: "Go to St.Petersburg to continue your realization � there�s a lesson you should study on the lands of Russia." And so he went. His good British friend Frank met him at the airport. He had been living in Petersburg for about 6 years by this time and still was fascinated by it.
"You are just in time, my dear friend," he said with his eyes shimmering with gladness, "an exhibition of Tibetan art is opening tomorrow. Moreover real Tibetan monks will sing their special prayers there and will build sacred mandala. It's just what you need, isn't it?"
"I guess..."
"To my deep regret I can't invite you to live at my place as Rita, my wife, has very strong negative feelings against dark-skinned people. I can't find a way to make her change her mind. But I've found you a good flat to rent."
Matisse was shocked. His mind was so far away from these prejudices that it was a significant blow for him to realize that people are still steeped in such ideas.
"Frank, this is ridiculous. There's a divine seed in each of us, we are all united as spirits, we just should be brave enough to go deeper to perceive it."
"Well, Mat, it's a matter of time, flaming desire, and hard work. Be aware that there are a lot of people here who think in this way. Prejudices are very strong."
"These people need help to realize who they really are."
"They just need love, Matisse."
The next day, the friends went to the exhibition. The space was full of clean white energy that was circulating around and providing positive changes to all guests and members. Matisse felt clear pearling alive spirit sparkling with joy inside. And then he saw her eyes. They showed him deepness, consciousness, beauty, but above all the eternal wisdom of a real Woman. In that moment, a new kind of energy awakened within each of them.
No borders, no limits. All masks and disguises faded away revealing ecstatic dance of two pure spirits. Love came as a revelation that became a turning point in their lives. Matisse realized what his creative works were missing and why he always was unsatisfied. Warmness of the heart, yellow light sparkling with gold, love energy that is what he'll fulfill his creations with. Together they will make a space full of light and understanding and will help people to transform themselves into real individuals who are fragrant with freedom.
And so they married. Matisse settled down in St. Petersburg inspired with his new plans. The conception of his mission was to unite people of different nations, religions and customs, to help people to realize that their unique specific traditions and their brightly expressed features deserve to be respected and treated accordingly. "It doesn't make a difference what color of skin do you have–your individual work, your spiritual growth, your aims–these are the most important things you should think of. Follow the way of love as God is love and it's real," Matisse thought to himself.
Matisse and his fabulous wife Ariadna organized a society called "The space of love and light." They made presentations of Matisse's creations, invited remarkable people from all over the world to make speaches within the conception of their society. Ariadna led yoga and meditation classes and organized trips to the holy places of the world guided by professionals.
As time passed by, the gorgeous unordinary couple became famous. People were astonished by paintings Matisse did and by divine music he composed. His works touched their hearts, brought joy and gladness into their lives. He shared the beauty of real love with all Russian people.
Matisse will remain a remarkable figure in the history of art, music and literature as his appearance highlights the beginning of the new age in Russia–a time of arising consciousness among people, time of inner blossom and developing. Matisse celebrated the forthcoming century of real love that washes away all borders; he inspired Russian people to follow the way of the heart.
What is joy?
Joy is not simply your personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy at the expense of your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together—this is the Mystic Law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin states, "Joy means that both oneself and others have wisdom and compassion" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 761).
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/12
For Today and Tomorrow
Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda 8/12
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