Great News!!!

23 Jan 2014 1 Comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

Good News, Great News !!!My own experiences with Nichiren Buddhism have shown me how powerfully it can change your life. Whether that is simply making you a happier person or helping you see situations from a different perspective, that will help you solve problems in a better way.

As with all good things, you want to tell people about it, so they can share the benefits.

So the greatest feeling, for me, is when someone actually comes straight out and asks. At that point, it’s important to offer as much, or as little as they request. Force feeding them will kill that spark as surely as piling logs onto a smouldering ember. So be enthusiastic, but be reserved as well. Let them set the pace, be there for them when they want to ask for more, and just see what happens.

Giving people a gift is a great feeling. The shining smile you see when they open it and are delighted by what they find. Giving people the way to find Nichiren Buddhism is just like that, only a million times better for both parties.

Just Stay Connected

20 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Staying ConnectedRelationship problems are opportunities to grow and mature. Such problems can be character building if you don’t let them defeat you.

That’s why it’s important not to isolate yourself. No one can exist apart from others. Remaining aloof from others cultivates selfishness, which accomplishes nothing.

~ Daisaku Ikeda

An All Round View

05 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , , ,

An All Round ViewI have always been prone to setting my expectations too high, and that leads to disappointment when the expectation isn’t met. My Dad, on the other hand, always seemed to be a bit pessimistic, he never appeared to have very high expectations, never got overexcited about things, so didn’t allow himself to show disappointment, or that was the way it looked to me.

Since I have been practicing Nichiren Buddhism I have an inner strength that helps me through difficult times. It is a great comfort and I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with issues or problems.

The strange thing is that Buddhism doesn’t always make the problems go away, although that does sometimes happen, but it gives me a different way of looking at the situation and a focus that makes the problems more easy to understand and to bear.

In general, my life has been pretty easy. I have a very loving family, great parents and had a very stable home life in my formative years. I’ve been through a few troughs, the usual things like losing my grandparents and my father, and failed relationships, the same as every one else. I’m about to set off on a new career path of teaching, which could prove to be a challenge, but I truly believe that my inner strength will see me able to cope much better now.

If I were to try to pinpoint the single most important reason for this, I would say it was a new found mental calm. Now I’ve never been a fighter. At school I used to use humour to get out of the usual confrontations all kids get into. But I was prone to letting my feelings show, particularly when disappointment was involved.

It does seem that because I can now see the situation from all angles, just like those images on the web, where you can spin the item around and look at it every which way, I can rationalise things more easily. Being able to see a situation from other peoples perspective allows me to make sense of how things appear to them, and understand why they are reacting in the way they are.

It has changed my life, or at least the way I look at it, and it can help anyone. Maybe it could help you.

Coping With Challenges

20 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , , ,

Instill A Quiet CalmThe challenges we meet in life are often seen as the negative side of our existence. We alone can decide how we deal with them, either we can accept them, tackle them head on, or we can shy away from them and hope they go away. Anyone who has tried the second path will know that it virtually never works, so accepting challenges has to be the right way to go.

Accepting our challenges is not, initially, the most natural thing to do. It might seem easier to run away, to bury our heads, or just ignore the issues, but no good will ever come of taking that path. Taking responsibility and meeting challenges head on can be really hard. That doesn’t mean it has to be difficult, but it does mean we have to dig deep, stay strong and never ever give in.

So how should we approach the process? For me, it means looking at the challenge from all sides, and that involves keeping a calm mind and thinking clearly about all the aspects involved. Chanting allows me to calm my mind, to focus and to concentrate. This is the state of mindfulness and gives me control over my thoughts, words and deeds. For others it may be beneficial to meditate or to write down a list of all the facets of the challenge.

The whole process can be thrown into turmoil by our fundamental darkness, that little voice in our heads, that tells us the challenge is too hard, that we cannot overcome it and that giving up is the easy path. We must listen to that voice because it is part of us, but we must then rationalise the alternatives and be determined to take the right path, not the easiest path.

When you overcome a challenge, the feelings of elation are immense. When we give into a challenge, the feelings of defeat are equally immense, but terribly damaging. Gaining your first win will be the hardest. Once you know the winning feeling, you will never again want to feel defeat again.

So try different coping strategies, be that chanting, meditation, list building or whatever works for you. Be sure that overcoming challenges will make you a stronger and more confident person and that each win will make the next challenge easier to overcome. In time, you will lose the fear of challenges, and although you may not actually look forward to the next one, you will be more prepared to meet it and overcome it when it arrives.

I Don’t Like Mondays

21 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

I Don't Like MondaysNow you know that Monday isn’t my favourite day. A whole weekend worth of questions and issues, a change of email servers, and really terrible weather making for a late start. The perfect storm, literally.

But having weathered said storm, resolved the issues and answered the questions, there was still time enough to lose a system we had fixed on Friday … nightmare !!!

But you know what was really amazing. Despite all the grief, all the angst, I was stoic and composed, I took it all in my stride. The day flew by, so much to do, so little time to do it in, but another set of challenges dealt with and another tick in the ‘we’re really getting there’ column.

Take A Look At Yourself

14 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Take A Look At YourselfWhen we become submerged in difficult situations, when the way forward looks bleak and less than inviting, it can be tempting to start pointing a finger at others in order to find a way to lay the blame at their door.

But there is an old Buddhist saying about pointing fingers at others. When you point, one finger points out, away from you, towards the one you are blaming.

But look at your hand, three fingers are pointing back, at you, towards the person who is also to blame. Meaning that for each inference you point at others, three will be pointed back at you. But there is another way.

If you are honest with yourself, really, truly honest, and you examine the situation from all angles, you will almost certainly find that you are indeed responsible for making some of the causes that, in conjunction with another or others, have contributed to the outcome in which you find yourself.

Rather than trying to apportion blame, take responsibility for your own actions, you will find it a very cathartic experience, I know, I’ve been there. The unsurprising side effect is that it will also change the way in which others perceive you. They will recognise the Wisdom, Courage and Compassion in your new found attitude, and will respect you for all it represents.

The Wall – Actual Proof

08 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Looking At A WallWith ever increasing mindfulness, our own feelings will change as we reflect on the causes for those feelings.

We know that acting in haste, motivated by anger, disappointment or desperation will result in the causes of unwanted effects.

So when you encounter what appears to be an insurmountable challenge, a wall if you will, you should tell yourself, “Since there is a wall here, a wide open expanse must lie on the other side.”

Rather than becoming discouraged, you should realise that the very fact you are encountering this wall is actual proof of the progress that you have made so far.

So if you find yourself facing such a wall, prepare to strive with all your heart, and you will surely find a way to get to the other side.

Another Point Of View

06 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Warning Sign With Creech Hill In The Background - Click For A Larger ImageI am a big believer in trying to see challenges and situations from as many points of view as possible. It is so easy, when involved in situations, to be so preoccupied by our own agenda, that we miss the bigger picture, maybe even the truth of what is really happening.

Now this principle of trying to get a 360° view of things doesn’t have to apply only to emotional challenges, it can apply to any challenge. So today, in order to take a different look at the challenge I set myself yesterday, I decided to ride roughly the same route, but in the opposite direction.

Despite having my legs reminding me that they had undertaken a tough test yesterday, I set off towards Upton and Lychett Minster in the mid afternoon. The sun was warm and the breeze had a welcome cooling effect as I started the slow rise along Grange Road.

It’s a beautiful route, farms and woodland line either side of the road. You pass under a railway bridge, which is the continuation of the Swanage Steam Preservation Society line, though the trains don’t come this far at present.

As I reached Creech Grange, the dreaded 20% incline sign loomed into sight and I knew that the challenge of Creech Hill was just around the corner. Yesterday, travelling in the opposite direction, I had reached a speed of just over 60kph, so maybe that gives a better indication of just how steep the hill becomes.

Anyway, I had set the challenge, the main focus of the challenge was upon me, and I was ready to confront it head on. Most roads, even little B roads like this, don’t usually go from being flat to being steep in one step, usually there is a gradual increase in the incline, but not this one.

Within a few metres I was clicking through my gears, trying to maintain what little momentum I still had, and resisting the temptation to stand on the pedals. Generally speaking, if you remain seated, you get better traction through the back wheel and you don’t have to support your own weight, saving your energy for turning the pedals.

As happened yesterday, a couple of cyclists came past in the opposite direction, shouting encouragement as they went. Metre by metre, step by step, I climbed the hill. Although the ascent is very similar to that from the other side, this is much steeper. Happily, because it is steeper, it is a great deal shorter, so the summit was reached quite quickly.

My heart rate monitor was testament to effort expended, but as the road levelled out, and the amazing views either side revealed themselves, my beats per minute quickly dropped, as did my breathing. The challenge had again been conquered.

The rest of the trip was made in the company of a couple of guys on road bikes, and cycling in company always makes the kilometres fly by. I was home well before the sun had even thought about setting.

My idea to examine my challenge from a different viewpoint was, I feel, very worthwhile. Not only did I get a better impression of the effort involved, but I saw the views along the route from a different, and in some ways, better aspect.

This works for any situation we might find confronting us. More information is always preferable as we search for a solution and seeing things from a number of points of view gives us a better and more rounded understanding of how things really are.

Making The Most Of Our Opportunities

28 Sep 2013 2 Comments

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , ,

Thunder Over The SeaI was really looking forward to getting out on the bike today, the first time in a few days.

So you can imagine my disappointment when the weather caused a rethink.

Thunder, lightening and heavy rain are not the best for a trip out over one of the highest points around here.

Every day we have highs and lows, wins and losses, good things happen, bad things happen, every single day.

Problems are an everyday reality, they are part of life and ignoring them will never make them go away.

So focus on what’s good, what’s going right, enjoy that brief spell of sunshine on an otherwise rainy day. Smile, laugh when you can, and always focus on the positives. Make the most of every minute, you will never have the opportunity to use that minute again, so don’t waste it.

Make causes today, to make tomorrow better and never give in to the inevitable resistance that you feel when you are nearing your goal.

Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, never fear the truth, use the Wisdom , Courage and Compassion, we all possess, to help others to be positive, it will increase your own life-energy as you encourage them to increase theirs.

I waited for the rain to pass, the skies lightened and although the wind still blew as strongly as ever, it dried the ground. So by mid afternoon I was up atop The Purbecks, looking back over Poole and Bournemouth, being blown sideways by a strong easterly gale.

In fact, if anything, the wind helped my progress. Unusually, coming from the east, the wind was at my back for the ride up to the top of the high ground. The rain stayed away and my journey was made all the more enjoyable by the discovery that I had beaten my previous best time by some margin. Poison into medicine if ever I saw it.

It’s All About Perception

12 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , , , ,

It's All About PerceptionIt is a well known Buddhist saying, that our problems are not the real problem, it is the way we perceive them that is the problem.

Don’t have problems, have a series of challenges. Challenges are just problems that we are confident that we can overcome. Our problems come and go, nothing lasts forever, so view them with an open mind, look on them as challenges and remember, you are turning poison into medicine.

Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated by a simple lit candle. Even a flint from the bottom of the deepest river can be used to produce fire.

Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not existed for billions of years, nor will they linger forever.

The sun will definitely rise, in fact its ascent has already begun. With determination, we can all overcome our problems, so look on them as challenges and enjoy the victory when it arrives.

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