Sansho Shima defines a principle in Buddhism and in all life. It literally means “three obstacles and four demons” but represents a ubiquitous and universal principle which transcends religious systems and beliefs.
In short, there will be resistance to any act, challenge or path in human life which threatens our spiritual comfort zone or promises spiritual growth. More than easily identifiable emotional discomfort, Sansho Shima refers to the strange and seemingly “blameless” circumstances that arise apparently “out of no where” to oppose us when we attempt to take action that is a direct or indirect challenge to our individual growth as human begins.
So you wanted to go to Japan to train with the sword teacher. You weren’t able to go in December of 2005 as you had thought you would, you put off your pilgrimage until Spring. We spoke of a possible Spring trip, and you were, at one point, utterly determined that Spring would be the time, if there was a group going.
Well now there is, however now for you there is Sansho Shima. Why else would something catastrophic of a financial nature happen right now?
I understand. However you need to ask yourself, “will it ever be easier to accomplish my goals?”. Should you stand up now to your karma, or should you back down and await a more advantageous time in your life?
Will Sansho Shima also appear then? Or, if you wait until later, will it be easier? Is there in fact a chance you may not make the trip to go to Japan to train until it is all too late?
Going on a pilgrimage anywhere can be a challenging offering to one’s life, even more so a pilgrimage to a foreign land to undergo strict training. Before my first trip to Japan to train I also confronted Sansho Shima. I may confront it again.
It’s all about our individual path of self discovery…
Thanks Nancy for reminding me that this whole sad incident is really about Charles' own negative karma.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at March 9, 2006 05:48 PMCharles? Who is Charles? I thought we were talking about that sword student who can't perceive his karma. Maybe Charles doesn't perceive his karmaeither.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy at March 9, 2006 05:42 PMYour reply that yanking Charles' marvelous, refreshingly authentic, and HARMLESS blog is "for the good of sincere SGI believers" and that "nothing should impede Kosen Rufu" is utterly tragic and "true-believing," as they say.
How could you be so cowardly to comply with such a paranoic, fudamentalistic request?
There was nothing Charles wrote to warrant such malignant censorship. Everything he wrote was wholesomely truthful, and quite fair to the SGI. He voiced valid criticism but always trumpeted the organization's sound qualities.
How sorry for you.
Gabrielle
We want Charles! We want Charles! We want Charles! We want Charles! Imagine mobs of outraged villagers with pitchforks and torches crying, We want Chrles! We want Charles! Thank you for listening, Byrd in LA
P.S. This is an encouraging entry for me, as I am tryin to get together the money to go to Japan myself. It is a challenge and it helps me to think of it as an "offering to my life". Thanks, Byrd
P.P.S. We want Charles!
Posted by: Byrd in LA at March 9, 2006 05:28 PMWe want Charles! We want Charles! We want Charles! We want Charles! Imagine mobs of outraged villagers with pitchforks and torches crying, We want Chrles! We want Charles! Thank you for listening, Byrd in LA
P.S. This is an encouraging entry for me, as I am tryin to get together the money to go to Japan myself. It is a challenge and it helps me to think of it as an "offeing to my life". Thanks, Byrd
P.P.S. We want Charles!
Posted by: Byrd in LA at March 9, 2006 05:27 PMGabrielle, the whole "Charles" incident is very unfortunate. I am merely complying with a request from SGI HQ in LA. This is for the good of all the sincere SGI believers. Nothing must impede Kosen Rufu.
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at March 9, 2006 05:03 PMHi,
This is unrelated: I like the new format but I didn't see the Phantom City blog as a choice. Is Charles still with FWP?
Gabrielle
Posted by: Gabrielle at March 9, 2006 03:45 PMThis is on my desktop at work:
Treat Time and all conditions of Events
as Servants of Thy Will,
appointed to present the Universe to Thee
in the Form of Thy Plan.
I think it's Aleister Crowley.
Who's thee? Well, if you'e Al, thee thinks thee are god. But then you also think everybody is god. So, you are essentially doing god's, and your will. You're not a victim of the plan; you're both author of and actor in the plan.
So, what do you do?
Make lemonade.
Ditto what Danny said, if anybody's coming over, please email me and I can put you up so you can save your training money for training.
I'm already booked March 15th through April 15th, though, and all of Golden Week.
Posted by: erizabesu at March 9, 2006 02:01 AManybody strapped for cash who wants to come to japan is welcome to sleep on my couch and eat my food.