Can't Get Enough of Chanting
There are many variations of meditation and I’ve tried a myriad of them. Sitting in silence is not an easy thing to do, especially when your mind is as busy as a Houston freeway. Over the years I’ve gone through ups and downs with my practice, sometimes being able to sit still for over an hour, to not being able to calm my mind for even five minutes.
Meditation in its true form is a tool for transcendence and a key to detachment from the ego and the material world. Needless to say, I never felt transcended. The sense of peace that should have filled me didn’t emerge, so I eventually gave up. Like many things in my life, when it got tough and I thought it too difficult, I moved on to the next best thing I imagined would be better and easier.
A typical meditation experience would go something like this:
What to eat for lunch? It’s not even breakfast yet, why are you thinking about lunch? Shoot, focus. Breathe. Ah, there’s my breath. How interesting. Actually, it’s not at all and nothing in front of me, but a big black void. What about elephants? Last night I dreamt of elephants. I wonder what that means. Note to self, look up the symbolism of elephant in the dream dictionary. I need some coffee, maybe I should open a coffee shop. Yes, why not? That could be my Dharma. I paused in my thoughts. There, a moment of silence.
My mind, not wanting to rest, came back and plummeted me back down yet another path full of meandering thoughts. I wonder if I should buy that blue dress I saw the other day? No, I need new gym clothes. No more Barbie goes to the gym. Pink? God, what time is it? And on and on they flowed. I slowly opened my eyes. Only five minutes had passed.
My past meditation habits were clearly not working. This just wasn’t it. At least not for me. I needed something else. Fortunately a good friend of mine (Monica), who taught yoga, introduced me to the power of chanting and invited me over to guide me through one of her sessions. She explained that the power of the voice, as opposed to silent meditation, reflects a core stance of Nichiren's Buddhism. One of her favorite chants can be done by sounding out four simple words in a repetitive series for as long as one can keep their focus.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Monica explained that this particular chant helps to activate universal enlightenment.
I was a bit skeptical as my friend pulled up her meditation bench, held some beads in her hand (this helped her mind stay on track – each round would count as one bead) and began chanting in a strong low voice. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, she repeated over and over as if trying to hypnotize me. Staring at her, feeling uncomfortable, I was surprised when I felt a shiver run through me. The low vibration and the resonance of the chant began to stir something from deep within me. Maybe there was something to this. After a few minutes Monica stopped, smiled and said that I should join her. I did, and together we had a beautiful chanting session vibrating in positive energy.
From that day on, I started my new meditation practice and began to see wonderful results. I would pick one theme, such as inviting love into my life. Focusing on the vibration that I wanted to manifest, I chanted. Beginning with five minutes I slowly progressed to twelve minutes a session. The repetitive nature calmed my mind and soon my stress melted away. The endless thoughts that had plagued my mind were no longer a storm in the ocean. Rather, with the chanting they soon became a beautiful serene lake.
After only a few weeks of the practice, other small changes appeared. I would feel better in the morning, having more energy even though I was getting up earlier in order to chant. Feeling more positive about things in general, small gifts were left on my doorstep. Gifts such as an invitation to a friend’s dinner, which expanded my social circle, or an unexpected writing offer would come my way. New doors began to open in my life, adding light and love.
But what about my main wish? Did love come into my life? Eventually yes. Was it coincidence that it showed up shortly after I began the practice? It’s hard to say, but I believe that whatever the practice, if it makes you feel better from deep inside, you’ll raise your vibration and begin manifesting your desires. There are no coincidences and every morning I simply can’t get enough of chanting. Why not give it a try?
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - what does it mean?
(Sourced From Soka Gakkai International Buddhism in Action for Peace)
Nam - Nam comes from Sanskrit namu, meaning "to devote oneself."
Myoho - means the Mystic Law--the underlying truth of the Universe governing our life from day to day.
Renge - means lotus flower.
Kyo - literally means the teaching of a Buddha, conveying the Truth of the Universe.
