With all the wonderful emails and comments that I am receiving, above all – the awesome questions, I thought I will answer them in posts so everyone can enjoy the discussion. Here is recent one by Bev on our post Basic of Chanting:

Question:

I’ve practiced chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo very inconsistently for about 4 years. Some benefits I’ve noticed include an improved mood and new opportunities. Recently, I’ve found myself surrounded by conditions I wish to change drastically and swiftly. So, I have two questions:

1. When I chant, am I suppose to be visualizing what I want or am I to be clear minded and maybe focus on the sound of the chant?
2. How many hours per day should one try to chant in order to effect drastic change is his/her life.

Answer:

Dear Bev,

You’ve been doing a really wonderful, effective and powerful practice. It’s life changing really.

1. When you are chanting there is no need of thinking anything, just focus on chanting. Feel the sounds and vibrations arising. If you’re not thinking about a negative thought, your vibration is going to rise to its natural positive place. That’s the basis of chanting. It is good to think thoughts that feel good but only if they come naturally. Don’t force yourself to think something, if it’s positive then let it be and if it isn’t just let go and focus on chanting.Example: You are chanting and thoughts of bad things happening come to your mind, don’t force yourself to turn them around – just focus on Nam Myho Renge Kyo or Ghonzon (if you are praying to Ghonzon). Other case if the thoughts of good things come naturally then let it be.
2. Effective time starts with 5-10 minutes to make it a habit. Once it is a regular habit then you will find your own time period of change. You will feel like chanting in middle of something and you will go on for hours sometimes and some other days just three Daimoku’s will be enough. (Chanting Nam-Myho-Ho-Renge-Kyo is called Daimoku).So just focus on making it a habit, you will find your perfect timing yourself. You will ‘feel like it’.

I hope that answers your questions and with every answer comes more questions so feel free to ask if there are any other questions. Questions are not only welcome but wanted here.

I will try and go into details in next few posts on chanting.

Off To Readers

I know I have wonderfully knowledgeable readers so please feel free to add to this conversation. If this discussion has provoked a question in you (may be a silly one) then go ahead and say it! Ask it! I am expecting good discussion in the comments. Let’s explore!

Photo Credi: Monk with Prayer Beads, Lhasa, Tibet by kevincure, on Flickr

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