Because this is what I did:
First, I called Brooke because she knows about car stuff and she works down the road from where I stopped to eat lunch and subsequently lost power to my car. While I was waiting to hear back from her my thought was, "what is the purpose of my car not starting right now?" because it is so much easier to look for good than it is to be stressed. Brooke texted me that she couldn't help until 2:30ish and it was 1:00 (the time my last appointment was supposed to start.) So what is the next thing that I did? Well, I started knocking on doors (anyone remember the "locked out of the house in Italy" post?) Ok, well I only knocked on one. A really petite, lovely, black woman who was on the phone answered. I automatically said, "Sorry to bother you, my car won't start and I was hoping you would have jumper cables and time to help me." Yada yada yada she pulled her car around. She hooked up the cables and after 8 attempts to start it, we gave up. At this point, I am pretty much clueless as to what to do. It was clear to me that the appointment would be on hold until this car thing got figured out. In my mind, I was going to try a few more people on the phone and just wait for Brooke to finish if no one answered. And that, my friends, was the point where my mind was completely unprepared for how I would actually spend the next hour and thirty minutes.
This lovely Berneice said, "Let me introduce you to chanting."
My heart leapt. I actually smiled like a kid on Christmas morning with anticipation.
She handed me a card that said, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." She launched into this explanation that the universe can be reached by saying these words. Nam=to devote oneself. Myoho=mystic law- the underlying truth that governs the universe and our life. Renge=the law of cause and effect/karma/the lotus flower i.e. the pristine flower grows from a muddy pond/we create our destiny. Kyo=sutra or voice/teaching of Buddha.
Then she said, "What is your plan? If you want to come back to my house while you wait for your friend, I will teach you how to chant this. It is the idea to be at peace within ourselves and thereby the universe. The thoughts you put out can change your situations."
Well, because she was a total stranger to me and her invitation could potentially be the weirdest way I could spend an afternoon, I said,
"Ok!"
Of course.
In the front room of her lovely home, she showed me the Gohonzon, which was the scroll that is the focal point during a chant. It was set within an altar that also contained small containers filled with rice or fresh water to represent life. She gave me a string of beads that represented the body and 100+ worldly vices. The following are some highlights from the discussion we had as we sat before the altar upon the coolest little chanting stool. Some of the following I said, some she said, but I don't really feel the need to clarify.
"We have our true selves and our ego self. The true self is connected to the universe. The ego is the self that is subject to greed, anger, hate, all of those things in this world that cause suffering."
"Desire is good. It is the fear of not getting what we desire that causes suffering. The universe knows what you need and your true self is connected to the universe. Your true self already knows how to solve the problem."
"Another member and I have a little joke when 'coincidences' happen. We say, 'How myoho is that?'"
"Attachments to a person, or expectations, or things, or interactions are what cause the suffering. Just let it go. This hour is past and you cannot get it back."
"Your view of the world is like looking in a mirror. If you are at conflict with the world it is a reflection that you have conflict within yourself."
"Chanting is more about the ability to recognize universal truth. It is not so much a religion."
"The chanting allows you to channel the energy and focus it on reaching your true self. Your true self is the myoho, by reaching it you have the power of renge to cause changes for your good."
"Paying too much attention to the ego locks away the power of the true self."
And then . . . we chanted.
A lot.
I love these moments. I loved chanting the words not knowing how long this would go on or how long it had been. I was completely following her lead. I just stared at that scroll and said the words and suppressed little smiles that would come on my face when I thought of what Lindsey would think, or what Brittany would think (knowing those two people would represent completely different sentiments.) Chant. Chant. Chant. Chant. Chant. Chant. Over and over and over. I really did start to get this sense of peace, a letting go of attachments and a healthy grasp of control. Most of you probably see it as no surprise that I have no trouble swallowing the idea that the thoughts we put into the universe become a part of it. Which, if it is a part of you, they also become you.
We then read some scriptures from Nichiren Daishonin, kind of the founder of the Lotus Sutra. And she offered me food and beverage and handed me literature and gave me a hug. And we parted.
I got back to my car and there was a man unloading things into the building. I thought he could offer his opinion on the car situation. He hooked up his own cables the same way that Berneice and I had done it. He told me to turn my key.
And my car started.
How myoho is that?
