My wife received a phone call yesterday, from a member who was moving into our area in order to begin a new job. The call and the scenario was a familiar one for us.
She wanted a meeting to attend. We didn’t have one scheduled this last weekend but offered that we certainly would welcome her to our house to chant. A time was agreed upon.
My wife continued to speak with her about housing availability and finally concluded “I really can’t help you find a house, we’ve never rented here”. Encouragement was further offered and the call ended.
We went about our business, planning around the evening chanting “date”. When we arrived home there was a message on our machine, from her. She thanked us again and said that she felt much better after speaking to my wife and also that she found what she needed and was going home tonight (to her previous home in some other city), and therefore would not be making our chanting date.
We’ve been here before, it’s a familiar feeling.
And it’s ok, absolutely ok.
In our years of chanting and leadership often these “gypsies” (I mean that in a nice way) show up looking for support. We’ve learned from experience that there is the right support, and the - uh, less than right support. Often we cross the line a little, but we’ve learned a hard lesson about this Buddhism, specifically as it applies to supporting our fellow members;
The goal here is to chant to change our karma, and become happy.
If you want to feel better, heck, you can take a pill for that. Not that we don’t chant to feel better often, especially in the midst of a challenge, but in the big picture our Buddhism, this true Buddhism, is about changing karma.
I wish her the best. I doubt we'll ever actually meet her.
Mimi I'm so glad you and Greg mended your relationship. Yes he and his family do "rock".
Later,
Danna
I have it on good authority (my son) that Greg ROCKS. We visited him and his family when we were in Monterey.
Way cool family, awesome dogs, incredible other pets. My son learned all sorts of stuff about ninjitsu. He was in total awe. We did a slammin' Gongyo before dinner.
That member really missed out on wonderful opportunity. Looking forward to another visit!
Mimi
Posted by: Mimi at June 3, 2006 02:14 AMSo...Peter is the comic relief of sorts. Does that mean he is open game?
k
Posted by: k at May 27, 2006 07:31 PMOh, that 's good, I really mean that, really good for Peter. Finally he will be able to defeat Soka, not willing to win at all. Furthermore, understanding perfectly at the same time that life is not about winning at all. Just is about having power to manipulate others....Still, one or two little victories, now and then, Peter, can't hurt.Like getting job, fit in society, marry, make money...Not that I achieved all these things, but it is worth to try and try...Good luck!
Posted by: Child at May 27, 2006 08:37 AMHello Kym nice to meet you too, I like to take a jab at Peter whenever possible. I'll tell you how far back Greg and I go.... 1st Grade that's how far.
And yes Greg dear you owe me big-time and I'm waiting.
Are you doing your EMT thing this weekend?
Send me an e-mail.
Later - Danna
Posted by: Danna at May 26, 2006 03:32 AMDamn Greg....so much for being "incognito". Nice to meet you Danna.
Posted by: k at May 26, 2006 01:28 AM
Peter serious about the Bujinkan? Oh, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that he was/is TOTALLY serious Danny...
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at May 26, 2006 12:26 AMi almost thought he was serious...
Posted by: danny at May 26, 2006 12:10 AM"Martial arts is like religion, it makes good people better and bad people worse"
Hey Kym, Meet Danna. Danna and I go wayyyyy back. I owe her ginormous amounts of e-mail... B^(
Rev. Greg
Posted by: Rev. Greg at May 25, 2006 11:54 PMYou know Peter that Greg is pretty high up there in the martial arts and I don't here him ranting like you.
Danna
I don't know you Peter, and that’s a good thing, but could you please turn down the testosterone just a bit.
k
Ha, ha, SGI meetings - yeah that´s a good one. Luckily, THROUGH SGI I have found TRUE MARTIAL ARTS!!!!!!! REAL NINJAS!!!!!!!!! THE BUJINKAN IS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!!!!! I WOULD DIE FOR THE BUJINKAN!!!!!!!!!! After countless years of training karate - through kung fu (tai chi, wing chun) I have now finally after ten years found the right dojo and not only one Shidoshi but SEVERAL - among them a Taekwondo korean champion - and this weekend I am going to attend a seminar with Norman Smithers (no introduction necessary). That guy KICKS ASS!!!!!!!!!!! Ninjas need no introduction - they manipulate others and they rule - in short: THEY KICK BUTT!!!!!!!!!! Unlike the sorry-ass SGI´ers ninja believe neither in winning nor losing because LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WINNING!!!!!!!! Life is about transcending the winning/losing mentality. The Bujikan has this mentality. I am the Bujinkan. I love the Bujinkan. I live, breathe, speak, eat, sleep the Bujinkan. I will become black belt in this art. I train 24 hours, seven days a week in the dojo of my own mind (sometimes I also play Playstation II games). I am ninja, I rule, I spit on Ikeda, I am CHAMP!!!!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIEND!!!!! AND WE´LL KEEP ON FIGHTING TILL THE END!!!!! PLENTY OF TIMES FOR LOSERS CAUSE WE ARE - THE BUJINKAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best regards
a fellow ninja
"Our True Buddhisim"
This is what comes to mind for me...
"Two Kinds Of Faith"
"Today there are people who have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The belief of some is like fire, while that of others is like water. When the former litens to the teachings, their passion flares up like fire, but when by themselves, they are inclined to discard their faith. To have faith like water means to believe continuosly without regressing."
I am happy to say that I know were my faith lies, even in my solitude, I affirm this daily.
Posted by: k at May 23, 2006 12:42 AM