June 23, 2007
Finding My Own Voice in the Crowd
Buddhism and Positive Thinking
Ki to Revitaliztion
I recently read a guidance speech from an SGI senior leader. I had heard the same sort of guidance, pretty much the same speech, over and over since 1972. It goes something like this: 
You can be whatever you want to be. The only thing stopping you from reaching your goals is your own negativity; the fundamental darkness within. It is like we all have an evil twin; who is telling us we can not do it! Buddhism is victory or defeat, moment by moment!
Either you win, or fundamental darkness wins. Of course we all encounter negativity in our daily lives. It is a matter of whether we give in and are defeated, or if we fight back. It is Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism that enables to have the fighting spirit to defeat all the negativity we encounter, and be a winner in life.
The way to actually do this is often vague, and too often reeks of magical thinking. From what I can gather, all we have to do is assemble a list of goals, sit down in front of the Gohonzon, and chant to fulfill our desires with a lot of determination. Then, if it does not work, it is our fault. We need to go out and recruit new members, then our karma will magically change. 
Basically, my take anyway, what they have done is to graft western, secular, positive thinking success training methods onto the devotional-Insight practice of Kanjin as taught by Nichiren. In the past, people like Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, and W. Clement Stone have done pretty much the same thing with generic American Judeo-Christianity.
"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change." -- Earl Nightingale
Bondage is - subjection to external influences and internal negative thoughts and attitudes." -- W. Clement Stone
"Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do. -- Napoleon Hill
There is no doubt that there is a lot value in this type of philosophy. I think it worked during the post-depression era of the USA, and the post WWII era of Japan. Also, perhaps, the post Viet Nam era in the USA. This were times of great cynicism, so there were plenty of opportunities, and relatively little competition. It was largely a matter of a few ambitious individuals standing up and filling a huge void.
The problem is, at this time, and for quite a while now, there are a lot of people who are "just doing it." There is now plenty of competition, and relatively fewer opportunities. So the actual success rate of Positive Mental Attitude training has declined to where it is miserable. The "Success System That Never Fails" hardly ever works. The real success stories are the exception; many of them are highly exaggerated puff pieces. It seems like the real money is in selling success systems on late night cable TV, or better yet, Oprah.
I once thought that Daimoku was the missing ingredient. However, I applied this with a lot of effort for many years. In the end, all I was really doing was spinning my wheels and going in circles.
Around 2003, I bottomed out. Though I had enjoyed some successes, everything I had gained was lost; my health, my income stream, my insurance, ... 
well, I almost everything. I had always benefited in some way from chanting Daimoku while gazing at the Mandala Gohonzon. Besides the obvious, the energy it gave me, it also somehow opened up an inner voice, a sort of access to inuitive insight. However, what this voice told me was a bit different from SGI senior leader guidance. However, I was convinced that I should not 'listen' to my own mind; I should follow SGI guidance instead. 
Part of that involved the superstitious view of other forms of Buddhism that SGI inherited from SGI. Somehow, it was fine to basically teach the same thing, albeit in a shallow, diluted manner; as Nightingale, Hill, and Stone. 
But we did not dare borrow a single thing from Theravada, Zen, Shingon, etc. This never quite added up.
There was another thing; so much of the Gosho blew right past me. SGI would pull out certain quotes, and repeat them over and over. But there seemed to be some missing context. While I did not follow hardly anything Nichiren wrote, it was clear he was not talking about modern, self help, material success techniques. And he sure seemed to have read a lot of forbidden Buddhist teachings.
One thing: I think the SGI has been sincerely trying to apply Buddhism in the western gaijin realms. I just do not not think the marriage of Nichiren and Nightingale has worked out very well. In 2003, I decided to start listening to my own voice. Part of this was dumping magical positive thinking in favor of realistic critical thinking. It also included adopting and adapting teachings & practices from other schools.
I will refrain from saying the change in my life has been dramatic. In fact, I have had quite enough high drama to last several lifetimes. No more moment by moment, negative versus positive, Buddha versus Darkness, life or death, win or lose, victory or defeat struggles for me. What I have achieved is a steady, gradual improvement in every facet of my life.
Negative thoughts no longer bother me in the least. It is best to face things honestly and realistically. If things are bad, so be it. What scares me are negative emotions that tie the mind in knots. -- me
Hi Patrick,
One thought is you might be underestimating the positive attitude tradition of Nightingale et al. It is very much action oriented. As for "The Secret," I have not paid much attention.
W Clement taught a version of the Three Truths: he called it Principles, Ideas, & Techniques. He said "Keep Your Mind on what you want, and off what you do not want." That is nearly identical to the Buddha's prescription of "Right Effort." Stone also said. "Do it Now."
The thing that has struck me over the years is the very low success of all these success systems. Also, how many people make money telling others how to make money.
Nightingale went into more detail about getting the mind out of the gutter of negative emotions like greed, anger, envy, etc. He was less "step by step" than Hill and Stone; and the recent off shoots.
'Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." -- Earl Nightingale
The key might be what Chuck mentioned. Most systems talk about having very specific goals. I suspect that this might blind people to the doors that are right there, waiting to be opened. That is where a direct insight practice, like the kanjin Nichiren taught, is so valuable.
I guess the main objection I have to SGI guidance, such as I recently read, is that it is too much 'win or lose' oriented. And maybe too much into specific goals.
Win or lose in Buddhism has nothing to do with meeting planned targets. It is the right effort to keep unwholesome thoughts & emotions from arising, while cultivating wholesome thoughts & emotions.
Also, unwholesome or negative thoughts and emotions might not be what we think. So we should study concepts like the Three Unwholsesome Roots,
the Three Poisons, The 5 Illusions of Thoughts and the 5 illusions of Passions, The 5 afflictions, the 6 root afflictions, the 10 Afflictions, etc.
The Buddha never taught that negative passions or desires should be repressed; there are active methods to cultivate their positive opposites. For example:
Greed & Avarice = Generosity
Envy = Appreciative Joy
Enmity or Antipathy = Loving kindness or Empathy
Resentment & Malice = Patience or Forbearance
Schadenfreude = Compassion
Sloth & Tiredness = Effort & Vital Energy
Arrogant Recklessness & Thoughtlessness = Consideration & Mindfulness
Restlessness & Anxiety = Tranquility & Faith
Skeptical Doubt = Positive Thinking
Then there are the more advanced teachings about Emptiness:
Skeptical Doubt = Positive Thinking = Critical Thinking
Anxiety = Faith or Trust = Wisdom
Anyway, it is much deeper than a daily win or lose wrestling match with an evil twin who says we can not do it. This only became clear to me while I was 100 % disabled; to the point where walking to the bathroom by myself became a goal.
Unlike material gain, the incredible bliss and joy that I found during that stretch of my life is something I can not envision ever completely losing.
“Those who embrace the Lotus Sutra, however, can turn all this around. Hell becomes the Land of Tranquil Light; the burning fires of agony become the torch of the Wisdom of a Tathagata of the Sambhoga-Kaya; the dead person becomes a Tathagata of the Dharma-Kaya; and the fiery inferno, becomes the the 'room of Great Loving Kindness [Empathy] and Compassion' where a Tathagata of the Nirnama-Kaya abides." -- Nichiren
Posted by: robek at June 28, 2007 11:53 AMI think there are two different observations of what you speak of Robin with reagrds to positive thinking and changing one's life.
Using positive thinking is what The Secret proposes, while taking action with a positive attitude is what the SGI encourages everyone to accomplish.
The SGI has spoken out againsts "The Secret" as just positive thinking alone and useless in nature.
The daimoku is used to focus one's efforts in the realm of positive actions and thoughts and not focus on the negative realms of life. No magic or magic thinking. Just hard work with a positive outlook on yput own life, and no more.
Propogation efforts are the mandate of the mentor; Nichiren Daishonin, "To spread this correct teaching throughout the next ten thousand years of the Latter day of The Law." (WND)
Changing how we treat or care for others,a s well as think of others, has more to do with propogation efforts than our own material benefit.
Too bad my time in the Original Hyde Park District of Chicago Illinois was not the same training as your training in Champaign/Urbana Ilinois.
I learned these concepts during NSA days and the current SGI times, as well. No change for me, consitent from beginning to end.
Shakabuku is done out of compassion for others not for your own material benefit, just as Shakyamuni encourages us in the Lotus Sutra, Teacher of The Law Chapter.
Posted by: Patrick at June 27, 2007 02:47 PMHi Robin,
I think this essay is really important in this age of "The Secret." Steve's comments are right no to.
The Buddha also taught the aim of worldly benefit (but through wholesome means for wholesome ends) as a provisional aim for those not ready for the ultimate aim. The Buddha taught the four paths to success (siddhis) of wholesome desire, energy, investigation (of the suitability of means and ends) and mind (keeping your mind on the goal). The keys of positive thinking are found in the Buddha's teachings for sure - but so much more than that as well. And always in a wholesome manner that ultimately leads beyond self-serving ends. It is a shame that so many present Buddhism as though the first provisional aim of worldly benefits were the whole deal. Very reductionist.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei
Robin, even though I have been called a religious terrorist, let me say that words from Relgious Leaders are like a hot bath. They get you motovated, worked up, but then you cool off. There is really no foundation to the words. Every culture has their language, and these parasites look for the way inject their victims to keep them addicted to their bath.
Like I have said, if you read the Lotus Sutra, everyone has Buddha Nature, there is no need to listen to any SGI human telling you they know more than what the Eternal Buddha expounded if you believe in such a thing.
If everyone left the SGI, Shosho, Kempon, etc, the world would be a better place, and guess what.. no more phoney Buddhas.
Maltz out
Posted by: Bruce Maltz at June 25, 2007 04:27 PMRobin:
Fun post - and I have to AAO Steve for uncanny insight.
My observation is that the SGI is behind the scientific cruve with contemporary science regarding prayer. Targeted prayer, as in microspecific prayer to fulfill specific desire is less effective than non-specific prayer according to more than thirty years of scientific study by Spindrift, the Chicago-based prayer research group.
There are always contradictory prayer research findings popping up in the news or scientific journals, but Spindrift metta-analysis has concluded that "May the best result happen" type of prayer is far more consistent with intention than targeted prayer. This flys in face of DIPPY/underling guidance.
To include supplementary meditation techniques or have them available in your metaphysical toolbox is a good thing. I know this approach you have taken is a good one, as evident by your psychological and circumstantial situation since the last time we hooked up to trade in your Gohonzon. I still remember you when you were a Northshore YMD, and Lord knows, we'll never be that way again, Still, you have seemed to have advanced substantially in the past few years to the point where your grasp of Buddhism and life have eclipsed the senior leaders still thinking fully inside the box. DIPPY...very funny.
Charles
Posted by: charles at June 24, 2007 03:39 PMHi Rick,
I have been there and done that. As a matter of fact, I am now doing many things I once thought were impossible. Some were actually impossible.
Posted by: robek at June 24, 2007 12:31 PM"I found the Earl Nightingale quote very true indeed."
Me too Steve. There are plenty of good things in positive thinking. I think these schemes become more problematic when applied as financial success schemes. The qualities are desirable whatever we are doing. But I see no evidence they guaranty or are even conducive of financial success. Success through dirty tricks and intimidation, or to use Buddhist terms, guile and deception, seems far more common place.
That said, the metta cultivation, in combination with a couple other things -- stilling the mind and mindful self reflection, is awesome. Then, I think the Positive Thinking is more of a natural outcome than something contrived. But I see it as more of a way to change the world around one, wherever that is, than to become wealthy.
The way to material success is to have a skill or goods people are willing and able to pay for.
Posted by: robek at June 24, 2007 12:24 PMRobin
Great post - and while I agree with most of it, I found the Earl Nightingale quote very true indeed. A positive outlook does indeed light up the world and makes all kind of possibilities available that never were before.
I don't think there is a problem in uniting positive psychology with buddhism - as long as its the right positive psychology. However, unfortunately we have received in SGI a variant which I will call DIPPY (Daisaku Ikeda Positive Psychology Y'all)
With DIPPY there is the belief that somehow by force of will/faith/ichinen we can master the world. For instance think of all those people who chant for achieving x by the age of y. For instance get married by the age of 30.
Ultimately this is a stupid objective because it is not actionable. If on the other hand you have an objective to ask a specific person for a date, then you have an actionable task which can be evaluated, reflected upon, and also the accomplishment of the action, will take you to a new stage (potentially a relationship with that person) which will then allow you to make further objectives (deepen one;s love, establish greater trust, be more caring) which will probably in turn, if everything is successful, lead into the stage (marriage) which you might have prayed for earlier. Therefore postive psychology applied on a highly pragmatic almost daily way can be very powerful.
However, the building-castles-in=the-air positive psychology (of big dreams by far away deadines) is pointless. For a start it takes us away from our concrete reality to imagine a state far away from it. When progress can only come from our concrete reality. Also, it blinds us to precisely all the "serendipitous" stuff in our own environment which Nightingale mentions, which are not given sufficient attention because we are too blinkered by our "larger objectives".
The big problem is that this is the way of Daisaku. He is extrapolating from his own experience and trying to say that it is relevant to all individuals. However, he is the leader of a multibillion pound religious corporation. What he says might be relevant to your average captain of industry - but few other people. Personally, I think it is irresponsible and pernicious - largely because he is offering a "way" for people to emulate which they are in no position to be able to emulate. In that sense, he is satisfying his own vanity while seeming to help out others.
There are also other elements to DIPPY thought which leads to lack of good outcomes. The seeing of obstacles as potentially good things proving the inherent rightness of the course of action is not always helpful(as the popular expression "don't force it" attests, obstacles also indicate the problematicity of a course of action, and should be an incentive to caution as much as boldness). The superstition (I will contribute x amount of zaimu to get y amount of financial assistance) - that is nonsense.
But as you say, a number of "heretical practices" can be very useful for achieving ones goals. Metta cultivation is immensely valuable - because everything good in life comes from FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS - and if you can relate and feel compassion for fellow human beings, loads of fantastic stuff will come your way. Also, non attachment to your own goals and objectives will allow you to apply more critical thought to them as they unfold in practice in the world. Cultivating the moral qualities embodied in buddhism will also enhance your "social capital" and make you more trusted and their for sought-after by others.
Therefore, Robin, as ever, everything you say is true (cue for extending one's broad long tongues as per the lotus sutra to confirm it).
Steve
Posted by: steve at June 24, 2007 03:28 AMRobin,
The leader's guidance works. You just need to follow it. You will be able to achieve what you always wanted but thought was impossible.
Rick