Getting Unstuck
Have you been looking for a meaningful way to contribute to your community but you believe existing opportunities don’t quite seem to fit your interests or particular abilities? Maybe you want to help eliminate some problem such as homelessness, but have been overwhelmed by the magnitude of what needs to be done, and haven’t been able to even begin.
Or maybe you are shy. Does the thought of reaching out terrify you?
No matter what the issue is, you can find your niche.
A Way To Find Your Niche
You can find a way use all of your strengths to contribute in the way that is most meaningful to you, if you chant or are willing to try chanting.
- Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, link, with the goal that you will find the perfect niche for you. After all each person has unique capabilities and interests.
- Follow up on ideas you receive or possibilities which show up regarding your goal.
- Keep chanting until you achieve your goal.
A Gradual Life Shift: An Experience
When I became a Buddhist I quickly saw how well the practice of chanting worked in my life and those of other people. At that time I was a counselor and felt that if I could incorporate spirituality into my work I could help clients to become happy. But that wasn’t possible in the counseling world.
Instead I started a group to introduce new people to the practice and watched with great satisfaction as their lives became progressive and happy.
I was asked to teach Buddhism to Oregon prisoners, who were going through a boot camp to shorten their sentences and prepare for release. When I agreed I increased the depth of my study to learn how to explain Buddhist concepts and principles in a manner that brand new people could understand.
In turn, this experience led me to write a book on Buddhism for new people, take a position in the organization where I was responsible for encouraging member’s practice, and give presentations on Buddhist topics.
One day it hit me! I’m living my ideal life, doing what I love the most, the thing that has the most meaning for me. I’m using all of my strengths and training. Until that moment, I hadn’t been consciously aware of the gradual redirection that had been occurring in my own life over several years. It had brought me into my perfect niche to help to relieve suffering in the world, my life’s work.
You Too, Can Make A Difference
Each one of us has a mission in life, where we can make our finest unique contribution to the world. Often we don’t really know what it is. I’d known that I was not happy unless I was working with the growth and development of people in one way or another, but it wasn’t until chanted that my life began to shift in the direction of my greatest happiness, which was teaching and encouraging the spiritual growth and development of each person so they could become happy.
You will find your place too, if you chant with the intention in mind that you will find what you are best equipped to do.
Join the Conversation
Hey you lurkers. I’d like to meet you and know about your experiences with this.