Small Experience
Dear friends, I’ve been chanting about my next lecture and really struggling over not overcoming the obstacles to get down and finish writing it. Started to feel a bit overwhelmed by the challenge and wondering if I could even do it. I chanted this morning about it and just thought, I will do my best and then the day goes by and still not a word in ink (yes, I handwrite everything!). Then tonight, the shoten zenjin appeared. At the end of a very exhausting day the phone went. It was someone from our Youth Division. Would it be possible for me to give a lecture at their Youth Day on March 16th at Surrey University? I cried openly on the phone, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. Its just a small experience, but a big one for me. Having Youth Division members ask me to lecture is both a great honour and at the same time a great helping hand of confidence and encouragement to write.
Thank you for your tireless support.
Hello Jason!
Wow, I can feel the pain in your writings. I will chant for you, and I admire your profound openness and honesty about how you feel. Like you mentioned before (didn’t you?), what is most important is that we are happy as well as others, but it needs to start within us.
You are actually the person who shakabukkued (did I spell that write?) me when you introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism almost a year ago. As well as Nichiren Daishonin and President Ikeda, I consider you to be my mentor.
Your words of encouragement have been like a raft of comfort to me when I have been surrounded by a sea of agony so many times in the past.
This Buddhism is helping me to become happy! Thank you.
I appreciate your work, and I admire your dedication to these podcasts.
That is something I strive for in my life (dedication and honesty about feelings), and with all of the trials that we endure I know that I have been sent the signal so many times, “Just don’t feel. Just do what we want you to do (like with work), and don’t be open or sincere about anything. Just be a robot.”
My view on that is it’s OK to have feelings, and I’m not any less of a man for doing so.
This Buddhism is showing me that as long as I keep trying and as long as I have a fighting spirit (in the way of being dedicated) about being happy and believing in myself, I will be.
Thank you.
With deep respect,
Gavin
Tallahassee, FL
Comment by Gavin — February 25, 2008 @ 4:39 am
Sensei said to us in 1999, “Your way forward can not and will not be blocked… Where there is no hope, create hope!”
I try everyday to live be this guidance!
You must push past any deadlock.
That is why you chose to come to this planet to accomplish kosen rufu!
Peace, from Japan, Timothy Harada
http://www.timharada.com
Comment by Timothy Harada — February 25, 2008 @ 5:04 am
I am a new Buddhist and I tell you what you have told me… strive on with joy mate!!! Directly because of you I am a happier man. One sentence or phrase? Your Buddha hood is having a huge positive affect on me. My study and understanding of Buddhism is because of you and your show. How many people has your show helped? More than I care to count I would bet. I only know for sure of one person you have helped… Me.
Thank You Jason and your whole crew!
Robert Lee Allen
p.s. tbgam is an awesome book!
Comment by Robert — February 25, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
jason, your efforts have directly impacted my life in ways only you would possibly understand. these podcasts have been life changing. not only the lectures but the book. both. i wouldn’t even know where to begin and just thinking about all the benefit I’ve recieved because of your efforts brings tears to my eyes. as i’m typing, i look to the right of the screen and there are archives back months and months. i listen to lectures over again and always hear something new. i have such trust issues and have had a really hard time sort of giving in to this whole thing, but something in your voice, the way you explain it all, makes it all so accessible. and your wife, she sounds just lovely.
i’m alone in this practice here – i mean, i’m new to it, my now recent ex-partner never wanted to know about it. and something in the way you and karen do the podcasts, it’s like we’re all sitting about the kitchen table drinking tea, talking about buddhism. so, look. don’t wreck yourself trying to get to the podcasts. you’ve already done so much. take care of yourself and your family and chant until you know what you’d like to do. maybe right now isn’t the time to say anything. maybe you could talk about not knowing what to talk about. my best writing has been about having writer’s block. one of my best poems was about that blank sheet of paper. i chant every day for you and express my sincere gratitude. you are a true inspiration and the youth group was right to ask you to speak.
cheers,
dawn
Comment by dawn — February 26, 2008 @ 7:01 am
Hi Jason,
Firstly, thankyou for all your efforts in creating this amazing site…(which I only discovered at the weekend, I might add) I was only telling a friend about it this morning when we got together to chant. I have been listening to your lecture on the `Nine Consciousnesses` and it was very inspiring, I had been studying this topic for our district meeting a few weeks ago and I was really trying to understand it with my heart and not just with my head which I don`t think I managed to do…it was great to listen to your talk on this subject, as it really did make this topic more accessible to me…you spoke from the heart and as such touched mine, and that`s what made all the difference.
What you are doing here is really great, enabling others to grow in their practise and making fantastic efforts for Kosen Rufu is bound to bring up some major obstacles, it`s proof that your winning in fact!
Once again `Than you` and a big `Thank You` to Karen also…
Best Wishes,
Patirica.
Liverpool, England.
Comment by Patricia — February 26, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
Jason,
The sculptor Rodin used to say that he was waiting for the block of stone to speak to him so that he could begin carving. You have been waiting for that piece of paper to speak to you so that you can begin writing your lecture. When it finally speaks, you’ll begin to write. Give it some space and things will start to happen.
Comment by elona — February 27, 2008 @ 3:37 am
Jason, you and Karen encourage me all the time with your wonderful podcasts. Whenever I feel low, I know I can count on a good walk with my mp3 player and A Buddhist Podcast to set me right again. Thanks so much for all you do!!!!!
Mimi in Fort Lauderdale
Comment by mimi — February 28, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
Your struggle finally encouraged me to record audio of the first chapter of my novel. It the first time I tried recording spoken work, so it’s a little rusty. Also I don’t have any mics or good recording equipment, so their’s a little background noice. I’m chanting to get my own professional recording equipment soon, so I can record many of my new songs and segments of my books to encourage people.
If you think it’s OK you can always pod cast any of my recordings.
Check out chapter 1 of my novel, Myth Shattering (a Buddhist discovery novel) at http://www.myspace.com/shatteringmyths
It’s downloadable there too.
Peace, Timothy
Comment by Timothy Harada — February 29, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Hang in there Jason!
You have managed to change my way of relating to the practice more than anyone has ever managed before! You lectures have helped me so much man! SO MUCH.
Your production and efforts for the TBGAM chapters are just amazing, what a result! WHAT A RESULT!!!!!
Unfortunately ( most certaily fortunately) mate you’ve chosen the responsability to lead in some ways, so you can’t give up on the 11th day now can you!? IF NOT YOU THEN WHO? IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN?
You and your family are in my prayers, so big hugh to all of you!
Cheers
Paul
Comment by Paul Flint — March 4, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Well Jason what wonderful blogs you got back from your message. You are a big guy, a big Buddha and we all respect you for your efforts. Bloody hell its like climbing a wire rope with grease on it sometimes, but somehow we kick in and don our James Bond jet walker! What a wonderful request to be asked to give your lecture to the youth on March 16th. Mate, I will be at your side in spirit, but you will not need me.
with deep respect
Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, Nam Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Comment by Peter de Groot — March 4, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
Jason,
Congratulations! Eager to hear the results of your lecture on the 16th. Do give us an image of the roomful of eager young people who are thirsting for a foundation, an anchor, a compass in their lives. What an honor, to be able to address them and encourage them! You have the great capacity to move people’s hearts into action, to encourage people to heal ourselves of the delusions with which we poison ourselves, to yearn for and live within our own Buddha nature, and to honor the struggles of young people. A great wave of compassion and courage to fight for justice will flow forth from that meeting and swell the great stream of joy.
Naturally, I think you should record it and upload it here so that we can all experience the energy of the celebration!
For those of Jason’s listeners who live near the San Francisco Bay Area, please join Northern California’s Soka Gakkai Buddhist Youth Division who are celebrating March 16th by packing 3000 youth into Oakland’s Paramount Theatre:
“Pack the Paramount!” Sunday, March 16th, 11:00AM, Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway (at 19th Street BART Station), Oakland, CA. Arrive at 10:30. Primary-school-age children welcome (accompanied by an adult)! Guests welcome! Adults will be gathering nearby, so come one come all to the Paramount! Always free! The performances will be absolutely electric! The joy will raise the roof!
So, Jason: Come home from Trets electrified with determination to swell the tide of humanism and reach the heart of the newest leaders of humanistic values and world peace.
And for everyone: I hope you can find a March 16 celebration near you. Whether or not you ever chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, you will never experience anything like the electrified performances of dancers and musicians who do!
Winter always turns into Spring! Happy Springtime, Jason!
Love,
Donna
Comment by Donna — March 5, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
So inspiring! Jason you are booked for Kings College London and we already record lectures and discussions for podcasts so September term it is! yipee! big hugs and mega D’s from student div at King’s! 😉
Comment by Emma and the Kings Buddhas Gang — March 10, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Hi Jason. I chech your website periodically to find out what’s up. I too listen to the lectures over and over again. I have loved and cherished everyone of them.
Hang in there. You are such an inspiration to me. I will chant for you and your family.
The right thing will come along for you. Just keep chanting.
Love and good wishes to you and Karen. I am exciting because I know good things are coming.
Comment by Lois Kubota — March 11, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Hey Jason!
Your heart knows that you’ve done an amazing job and your heart also knows somewhere that you’ll do even better stuff in the coming times. Good deeds >> Good Fortune>> Better Circumstances>>More Wisdom>>Multiplied Courage>>Compassionate action!!!!
Its really nice that you’re up with your beads 😉 and I know you’ll take out something smashing from your greater self. It takes courage to start anything, and with this wonderful success and the good wishes and gratitude of all the people whose live has been ‘changed’, there is much more to come.
Will be waiting for your podcasts! And of course we’re all fighting for the same noble cause! We’re all one!
Nam Myoho Renge kyo
Siddharth
India
Comment by Siddharth Manu — March 21, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Karen and Jason, thanks so much for all of your tremendous efforts. They are sincerely appreciated. Your podcast is the perfect lift when my spirits are flagging, or when I forget the unlimited potential of life.
Thank you.
With great respect,
Candace
Comment by Candace — April 1, 2008 @ 12:38 pm