I've been having a bit of writer's block over the last several days. Life has a way of interfering with my writing time. Do I write about the latest school adventure of my short human? Would you all really like to know what my life is like?
You've probably noticed this is not the blog for those needing theory or elegant discourses about the nature of Nichiren Buddhism. I have the time to read those things (I really enjoy the stuff). I'm just not the one to do the presenting.
Besides there are some mighty fine blogs on this site doing this already.
Anyway I have been having a lot of life lately. My seven year old thought it would be a great idea to yell, "food fight" during lunch at school last week. This resulted in a stat page from the principal letting me know about his "poor choices" and his three day opportunity to have lunch in the principal's office. It was one of those "hello" moments. Perhaps I needed to spend more quality time with the youngun. Life without TV (especially Nickolodeon and Disney Channel) has been an edifying experience for us both. More talk time and even time to learn Gongyo and chant more Daimoku together. I'd like him to use his leadership skills for good not evil. Besides as nice as it is for me to chant for him, I think his opportunity to chant himself is helpful. Probably breaking one of those Guidance rules about persuading young ones to chant. So sad too bad.
The two staff in my office have had major home problems. Mind you I have a limping pediatric practice that was booming until 6 months ago when I had a death threat from an angry mom, health problems (son and myself), having to take three months off (those are just the high points). Now, I am struggling to keep the bills and staff paid. One staff member's son charged up her credit cards, cleaned out her checking account while she went on vacation a week ago. Last night the other staff person's house was burglarized, car stolen then burned. No I am not trying to drag them to the nearest Buddhist meeting or persuading them to chant. Our relationship is too dear to me. Besides they need to see first that this practice actually works in my life before they are convinced it might work for them. Given the craziness of the last 6 months in my life, the jury is out on this (for them).
When meconium (look it up in the dictionary) happens in my life and environment it is usually over the top. Nothing like a whole lot of stuff to get my attention. It's not about having a "woe is me, my karma is so deep" attitude. It's really about getting up, getting busy and making this stuff change.
I've seen meconium fly in my life on a regular basis during my 16 years of Buddhist practice (anniversary May 2nd). I never say to myself, "it can't get worse." My goal is to step through the mess with as much grace and humor as possible.
Life is never boring in my little city.
Three syncopated snaps before bed,
Dr. Mimi
Posted by drmimi at April 27, 2004 09:37 PMIf it looks like meconium, smells like meconium, it must be meconium. try not to step in it.LOL Dave in ks
Posted by: respiratory dave at April 29, 2004 09:57 AMHi all,
There is all sorts of guidance about not pressuring your child to chant. I think the intent was to not make a child feel like chanting was an endless austerity or just something to please mom and dad.
My son is learning Gongyo quickly. He has been chanting ever since he could speak (it was kind of spooky hearing a 14 month old trying to chant). The two things he has chanted for? A dog and his dad to be in his life. Well, we've got the dog. Dad is still MIA. These days I am encouraging him to chant to enjoy school and Tae Kwon Do (so that everyone else there can enjoy as well). Much better to visualize it this way than to have him chant to behave.
Great to read all the encouraging comments.
Nursing various body parts that HURT from Tae Kwon Do.
Dr. Mimi
Hi - I enjoy your blogs... I can usually understand every word. Every faith should fit natually into your life. Teaching your kids about your faith is one of the toughest and most rewarding things you can do in life.
Thanks for you writing!!! Danna
Posted by: Danna at April 28, 2004 04:30 PMHi Mimi.
It's funny. I don't remember ever hearing any guidence about not persuading kids to chant. I remember getting guidence about persuading other peoples' kids to chant; i.e. that if they're not Buddhists, you should be careful to remind the kids to get permission from their parents about it.
In any case, I like your stories. They are real.
Peace & love,
Eddie
Hi Mimi; Real lives in the real world are far more important than any religious doctrinal discourses. While we need to study and absorb doctrine (after all in Nichiren Shoshu we try and do the three practises) if none of it shows in our real lives then it is a bit pointless...
As a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist I am always aware of my life being sort of under a microscope by those who do not share this practise and where shakubuku happens is less with the stories of miraculous solutions and recoveries but in how we cope in a middle of a crisis. That is when one's Buddhist practise shows. If we fail we have the strength to get up and try again and never give up our faith. It is the manifesting of happiness, tranquility and even joy in the middle of our sufferings which acts as best shakubukuing "tactic"...in my view people are suspicious of great success and achievemt and tend to see more value in your practise if you are coping well under any circumstances. After all as the Gosho says: "After all, no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages." (Happiness in This Life Gosho)
Best, Jussi.
Posted by: jussi at April 28, 2004 12:39 PMHi Mimi.
Don't know too much about the admonition against making your kids chant.
My 11 year old daughter recently spent 1/2 hour telling me how terrible life in the 6th grade was, tears and all. Too many bullies and too few friends. I tried all the typical parent stuff, "stand up for yourself", "make an effort to make friends". Tears just kept coming.
Finally I just told her, "The only thing I KNOW that works to change how others treat you is to chant, because it changes you." I was amazed, she agreed to do gongyo and chant with me at least 5 minutes in the morning and the evening.
So far her days at school have been much better. I don't feel a bit guilty about it either.
Thanks, Michael
Posted by: Michael Stewart at April 28, 2004 11:00 AMHi Mimi,
I appreciate the real life stuff too. I would write it myself except that I am an intensely private person. Anyway, I appreciate it when you and others share your experiences and it encourages me to find ways to open up more myself.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Hey Mimi,
I agree I like all the theory, etc from a few of the other bloggers. . .but I really like your real life stories. . .and how you incorporate this buddhism.
So write about anything. . .I guess we'll allow a block from time to time. . .but keep writing!
;-)
Dr. Mimi -
When the meconium flies, I now know to start looking for the lesson I need to learn. The sooner I learn that lesson, the sooner the "weather" settles down and I can begin integrating the new lesson into the overall operating procedures manual (of my life).
Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett
Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at April 28, 2004 04:38 AM