Thoughts are Potential Realities
Many people think our thoughts are just thoughts, fleeting energies that don’t do anything.This is far from the case. When you determine to do something, in other words have an intention, you are setting up a future manifestation in the material world. So you want to make sure you are creating a picture of what you want, not what you don’t want. I think of it as creating an invisible blueprint which will show up in your physical world when the time is right.
You use this force of creation every day, whether knowing it consciously or not. Once a Buddhist, you learn you have this ability, and so you’ll want to consciously use it in a way that will benefit your life and the lives of people around you.
This force of creation is neutral and so it will create whatever you focus on the most. If you are focusing on your fears, in other words what you don’t want to have happen, you could create what you fear.
What About Doubt?
You might say. “I start off with a bang, but then I begin to doubt if I can achieve my intention.” That can happen if you have picked a big goal or one you don’t really believe is possible.
You don’t want to dwell on thoughts of failure. As President Ikeda, the third President of the SGI and author of sixty books on Buddhism says,
“When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately reorient itself towards your success. On the other hand if you think, ‘This is never going to work out,’ then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything really will move in the direction of failure.” Faith into Action, p. 109
It is easy thing to doubt your ability to reach your goal once the bloom of a new start wears off. So how you keep your focus positive?
Steps to Manifestation
1. Visualize your intention in front of the Gohonzon and determine that you are going to accomplish it. Failure is not an option. You can write down your goal, if that would help keep your goal in mind.
2. Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for what you want. See your goal, as completed, just the way you want it.
3. When your mind starts to doubt that you can achieve the goal, take hold of your imagination mentally and turn your attention away from the negative thoughts.Then replace them with the vision of your goal as it will look when you achieve it. You might have to do this over and over. That’s all right. You are practicing a new skill.
4. Never give up until you achieve your goal no matter how long it takes.
Give It a Try
If you’ve never chanted for a goal, give it a try.
Join the Conversation
Does anyone who has chanted have an experience that illustrates why it is important to chant for what you want, not for what you don’t want?
Topic of the Next Post: Mastering Your Mind
Margaret Blaine, The Practical Buddhist