Great Expectations – What the Dickens?

20 Nov 2010 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

We all live with expectations, of ourselves, of others and of the outcome of situations in our lives.

It is very easy to be disappointed when those expectations are not met.

But you must remember, your happiness is in your own hands, so being unhappy when your expectations are dashed is your own decision.

For myself, I find that taking some quiet time to examine why I am disappointed solves a lot of these problems. Sometimes my expectations are too high, unrealistic you might say, sometimes the simple acceptance that those expectations are not those of others explains the outcome.

Allowing your expectations of others to be, even in part, the basis of your happiness shows a lack of Wisdom, learn from the pain, don’t repeat the mistake and move on.

So to help maintain your happiness, set realistic expectations for yourself and accept that failing to meet those expectations does not mean failing completely.

Wisdom, Courage and Compassion for Others

19 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

Sometimes we become involved in other people’s problems, whether we want to be, or not.

At times like this, Wisdom, Courage and Compassion are needed, but in a slightly different way than when we have problems of our own.

I have needed to have the Wisdom to step back from the problem, which I will not disclose, and look at it in a dispassionate way.

The Courage to determine my feelings, from that detached viewpoint and the Compassion to offer help if required, knowing that your offer may well be rejected.

Just be there, with an open heart and a calm mind.

Too often,  people on the periphery feel the need to state their opinions, whether that helps the person dealing with the problem or not. These opinions may well be founded on sound principles and deeply held beliefs, but they are not help, they are just opinions.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you must be prepared to wait to be asked for your help.

Staying detached, objective and silent, may be all the help you can offer at that time.

It’s My Birthday And I’ll Chant If I Want To

18 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

Today, November 19th, is my birthday.

Those of you who follow the blog, patient souls that you are, will know that we have a family illness at the moment, so I’m going to spend the day on my own.

Without Nichiren Buddhism, I might be sitting here feeling sorry for myself, in the World of Hell.

Thankfully, I have my Practice to steady my boat, and keep me on an even keel. Do I sense a nautical theme there?

I shall be chanting for a positive outcome of the family problem and for the safety of my partner on her long journey to her mother. I am sure that a day of learning and Practice will leave me with that inner peace that I am enjoying recently.

As I turn 56, I suppose I have another 14 years before I reach my allotted span of three score and ten. In the past the thought of that might have caused the onset of feelings of mild panic. So much to do, so little time to do it. But no longer. I am comfortable with my physical immortality and know, deep in my heart, that my ‘being’, whatever you wish to call it, will go on for ever. Now that is a very comfortable place to be.

Finally, I would like to thank all the people who have been kind enough to send birthday greetings.

My Bodhisattva Nature

17 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

On a day that was originally planned as a time for rest and reflection, it’s turned out anything but.

It was a day of a continuous stream of poison, most of which was turned into medicine, as I concentrated on staying calm to help others and be supportive.

Apart from the terrible weather, the family illness created an understandable sadness in the air.

My Bodhisattva nature came to the fore and, apart from the compassionate support, I gave away my copy of The Buddha, Geoff and Me to a very worthy recipient.

Tomorrow will be a lot calmer as I have the place to myself, but the poison may well be there, ready to be turned into yet more medicine.

I don’t actively seek out problems, but it does give you a good feeling when you can confront them head on and manage to remain calm.

A Few Days Of Quiet Contemplation

16 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Today has been a total mishmash of events.

I have a few days holiday this week, but with the family problems, they probably aren’t going to be the most fun I’ve had on my hols. I had to tidy up the inbox and to-do list before escaping almost on time this evening.

I’ve been rather surprised at the steady state I’ve maintained, so good news there. I hope it has been a help and a comfort to those around me.

I’m going to make the most of the days off to chant, learn and meditate. I’m sure it will do me, my family and the Universe a power of good.

hearts

Chanting For Another

15 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

Today was going so well, then came news of a close relative who is unwell.

Chanting is such a powerful method to make a difference in so many ways, so I have been chanting for her all evening.

I have complete faith in my Practice, so my life-energy is high and although I am sad at the news, it makes things a lot easier knowing that I still have a way to improve the situation.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

The Meaning Of Life

14 Nov 2010 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

Taken from Man’s Search For Meaning (p.113), by the late Dr Viktor E. Frankl, this is the most sensible and acceptable explanation of the age old question, ‘what is the meaning of life?’ I have ever read. It is a question we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis, for as you will see, there is no one single answer.

MSFM”I doubt whether a doctor [we] can answer this question in general terms. For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour.

What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.

To put the question in general terms would be comparable to the question posed to a chess champion: “Tell me, Master, what is the best move in the world?” There simply is no such thing as the best or even a good move apart from a particular situation in a game and the particular personality of one’s opponent.

The same holds for human existence. One should not search for an abstract meaning of life. Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfilment.

Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it. As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed.

Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”

This short explanation, taking less than a page in the book, encapsulates an answer to which I can relate.

The book itself covers Dr Frankl’s own struggle for survival in Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps. It has tragic as well as surprisingly humorous passages, but reading it will leave you forever changed and, I believe, better for the experience.

Nichiren Buddhism – A Religion Apart

13 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: ,

So many of the World Religions base their beliefs on a God, a Supreme Being, a Creator or an Entity whose existence is the focus of the religion’s belief.

As a confirmed Atheist, that focus never sat comfortably in my psyche. I don’t think anyone really believes in a white haired old man sitting in the clouds these days, but there are millions of people who base their faith on a Being whose existence cannot be proven. In fact, many religions actively seek to dissuade followers from even trying to prove that existence.

The Lotus SutraI was schooled in the Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as Psychology, and those sciences demand proof for each and every hypothesis. So when I stumbled, and that is the right way to describe it, upon Nichiren Buddhism, I was overjoyed to find that there was no supreme being and that every part of Practice demands we examine the results of that Practice as proof of it’s validity.

Nichiren Daishonin said that we should seek proof of the effectiveness of our Practice in the results it brings. He also says that if the results do not support the practice, that we should desist.

I don’t want anyone to think that I am putting Nichiren Buddhism above or before any other religion, I am only saying that, for me, it fits my thinking and for me, it works.

I have not been practicing for long, and I’m learning new things every day, but the results have been amazing so the proof is there for me, and others to see.

Heaven and Hell

12 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

The two Worlds of Heaven and Hell are two sides of the same coin.

Yesterday I was in Heaven, safe in the arms of the woman I love, today we are 100 miles apart and Hell is very much in evidence.The Lotus Sutra

It seems to me that the higher the highs, the lower the lows, like someone on a bungee.

Now I am getting a little poetic, because since practicing Nichiren Buddhism, life is a lot more even, emotionally, but the effects are still there, running just below the surface.

Having more, if not yet full control over my emotions is amazing. I can see things more clearly and those black moments are very few and far between.

Ichinen Sanzen, 3000 Worlds in one moment, means we can go from any emotion, to any other in an instant. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and study have allowed me to control those mood swings and if I could ‘give’ any gift to others, it would be that control.

Take time to left practice into your life, your routine, your heart and you will never look back believe me.

What a Day !!!!

11 Nov 2010 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags:

To say that the day has been productive would be a huge understatement.

Having gone to bed around 2:30am, and woken at 8:00, it’s been a very full day.

We worked solidly on the new Yoga Essence website and during the periods that Tish was editing the copy, I checked the oil on The Cherry and topped up the washers.

It’s been hard work and a deal of patience was called for on both sides, but it’s live and looking rather spiffing actually.

Coupled with a plate of cheese on toast for lunch and fish ‘n chips for dinner it has been a very rewarding few hours.

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