On Saturday 15th December 2012, I sat alone in my apartment and chanted for the very first time. I had been having great conversations about the practice with a good friend who had started it a couple of months before that, but as a cynical atheist I was more interested in the philosophical debate than the airy-fairy spiritual side of things. Boy, how things can change…
I had been going through a bout of depression around that time, and that Saturday was a particularly bad one for me, feeling lost and hopeless, stuck to my bed until mid afternoon, and even then only managing to crawl as far as the couch. Finally, in an act of pure desperation, I said fuck-it and decided to give this weird chanting thing a try.
nam myoho renge kyo… nam myoho renge kyo… nam myoho renge kyo…
The first profound changes in my life and mind happened within days. And in the 7 years that have passed since that moment, Life has taken me on quite the journey. From Amsterdam to London to Thailand and back home to a countryside haven in Ireland, wonderful jobs and homes and connections and opportunities landing in my lap at every step along the way. My own practice has perhaps not been strictly consistent throughout the years, but The Practice has never left me, and never will. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is in my blood, on my mind, in the rhythm of the music I listen to, in the sticky notes around my home, in the raindrop patter on the windowpane, in the landscape surrounding me, in the whisper of the breeze. Every second thought is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, a recurring reminder that I Am a part of something greater, a drop in the ocean of Universal Energy, a cog in the intricate mechanics of the Law of Life, a spiritual Being of pure Love and Light.
I Am.
And so are you.
And so it is.
Never forget. Never doubt it for a second. You are the Universe, incarnate. You have infinite potential. You can manifest whatever kind of life you want for yourSelf. You are a Creator. You are Divine.
Do you remember?
How long has it been for you? How has chanting affected your life? Tell your story in the comments below.
I’ve been on my healing journey for about 4 years now and have really felt so much better in the last year especially, even considering COVID and the ‘unprecedented’ times we’re living in. I’m a recovering addict and was dealing with a divorce, a parents death and finally facing/accepting the sexual abuse I experienced as a young child.
5 months ago I met someone who became the first boyfriend I have had since my divorce 5 years ago. In the 5 months together we spent a lot of good times together, we shared so much in common and I actually felt like this may be the next ‘one’. I’m a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and that I am god/god is inside me and I have the power to create and destroy everything in my life. So although this man seemed so right for me on so many levels, there was some red flags I was choosing to ignore. He is a very depressed man. We met at a really dark time in his life, while I like to believe that I am on the up swing of my life, finally. But I felt because I had been in such a dark place, that I could be supportive and help him through it. We fought from the beginning, nothing major or violent, but not really pleasant. Especially for a budding relationship amongst two consenting adults who are a little older (42 and 38, respectively). Something just didn’t seem right about that to me. Long story short, too late I apologize, on March 27th we got in another huge fight. I ended up watching the Tina turner documentary that night by myself and discovered NAM MYOHO RENG KYO – I learned that this was the mantra that saved her life. Being the spiritual sponge that I have become I immediately googled the mantra and went down a rabbit hole about it’s significance and properties etc etc.
I fell asleep listening to it that night. I slept like a baby. I listened to it all day the next day. And learned it for myself. The point is. I felt calm and sure that this relationship isn’t working for me. Instead of trying to force it, or feel guilty about abandoning someone and sticking with it even though it wasn’t good for me. I felt sure. I felt certain I needed to end it. And I wasn’t afraid to do it. Sure I felt sad, but for once in my life I didn’t doubt myself. And I made the decision and ended the relationship as gracefully as I could. As soon as he left I found a few versions of the mantra on Spotify and chose the one I liked. I started playing it as white noise, falling asleep to it and waking up to it. Eventually I’ve learned it. I also found a 3hour! version of it on YouTube that I just love and have dedicated time to listening to it when I can.
I’ve been chanting NAM MYOHO RENG KYO for one week. I find myself chanting it in my head, replacing the typical mind chatter that often times doesn’t serve me. I read a book this week too that I know I was able to focus on much better than before. I’ve also shared my story here and have never shared like this on any platform before.
I don’t know if all of this is because of the chanting. I can’t be sure. But I firmly believe it can’t hurt. And it’s really exciting to have found yet another tool to add to my tool box. I want a full life. I want all of my dreams to come true. I finally believe I deserve them. And I Am So Grateful.
Hi Sophia, thank you so much for sharing your story with us!! I’m so glad that you have taken such positive steps for your own happiness and well-being, and that you’re further enhancing that with this practice! You describe that feeling of quiet certainty so well, I can certainly relate. I really believe that when you Connect with that greater inner/higher “world” through this (or another) practice, your “soul self” starts to shine through with spiritual wisdom, and you can feel that in your peace and clarity about what you want and how to get there. I believe too that you deserve that full life and will achieve your dreams. Thank you so much for inspiring us all with your journey. Lots of love and light to you xx
I can tell you that chanting in temple with the rest of the group is quite an incredible experience. I remember back in the 80’s receiving my Butsudan and my scroll blessed by the Buddhist priest in our community (I still have it today) There is also the Sutra book for chanting. You should visit SGI online where you can purchase your beads and materials there. Lots to learn! I began my journey in the San Francisco Bay Area about 35 years ago. It’s truly a unique journey..Always be the learner!
I discovered chanting 8 years ago at a difficult time in my life: I was at risk of losing my job due to cutbacks, a family problem was putting me under a lot of pressure and my beloved animal companion was dangerously ill. I heard the singer Sandie Shaw (who represented the UK in Eurovision 1967!) talking about chanting on the radio. I thought it was strange but figured “What the hell, I’ve got nothing to lose. Let’s give it a go.”
Almost immediately, I felt that chanting was filling up my spiritual fuel tank which had run dry. With each chanting session, I became more positive and energetic. My thinking became more clear; answers to problems became more obvious. Then things started to happen. Out of the blue, I got an offer for a fantastic new job in a different country. The family problem, which might have prevented me from moving, resolved itself. My animal companion came back from death’s door. And soon after we set off to start on an exciting new chapter of life.
I wish I could say that I have been consistent with my chanting ever since but that is not the case. When things are good I tend to let it slide, only to pick it up again when there are bumps in the road. My resolution for 2020 is to remember that my practice will be even more powerful if I keep chanting through the good times as well as the difficult ones!
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Mark! I can relate to so much of what you said, it’s amazing when those things just start happening “out of the blue” when you’re at a high vibration through the practice. I totally hear you on the consistency too, it’s very easy to let it slide when things are going well. I remember saying to a friend after I first started that I couldn’t understand how anyone would stop doing this amazing practice every day, but over the years I have been very inconsistent with it myself! So far so good for 2020 though, let’s stick to that resolution together 🙂
Jessica. That post is a great reminder to start chanting again with a new year so close. Roll on 2020
Thanks Bernadette, certainly no better time to revive your practice and embrace a fresh start! Lots of love to you ❤️
I started chanting in the mid 1980’s. It has seen me through husbands and several careers. I traveled from the SF Bay area where I grew up and lived for 43 years and learned how to chant, to New Orleans where I lived for another 19 years, and now here…Emerald Isle NC. I’m now living the life I only dreamed about on an island. It’s taken me on quite a spiritual journey of love and growth and I could not be more thankful.
What a journey you’ve been on, Renee, thank you for sharing! So happy you’re living the life of your dreams. Lots of love to you, from one Emerald Isle to another! 🙂