Diversity & Inclusion – Love Has No Labels

While the vast majority of Americans consider themselves unprejudiced, many of us unintentionally make snap judgments about people based on what we see—whether it’s race, age, gender, religion, sexuality, or disability. This may be a significant reason many people in the U.S. report they feel discriminated against. Subconscious prejudice—called “implicit bias”—has profound implications for how we view and interact with others who are different from us. It can hinder a person’s ability to find a job, secure a loan, rent an apartment, or get a fair trial, perpetuating disparities in American society. 

The Love Has No Labels campaign challenges us to open our eyes to our bias and prejudice and work to stop it in ourselves, our friends, our families, and our colleagues. Rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com.

What is love?

What is Love by Daisaku Ikeda 

The agonies of love are many and varied. Each person has their own character and personality; they have different backgrounds and circumstances. So there is no set rule that applies equally to everyone.

Whom a person dates is also a matter of personal choice. No one has any right to meddle in your private affairs.

However, I would like to stress at the outset how important it is not to lose sight of pursuing your own personal development.

Love should be a force that helps you expand your life and bring forth your innate potential with fresh and dynamic vitality. That is the ideal but, as the saying "Love is blind" illustrates, people often lose all objectivity when they fall in love.

If the relationship you're in is causing your parents to worry, or making you neglect your studies or engage in destructive behavior, then you and the person you're seeing are only being a negative influence and hindrance to each other. Neither of you will be happy if you both just end up hurting each other.

Chanting for love

When you are chanting to be with someone you love, always chant for their happiness first.

We are sometimes afraid to do so, thinking what if their happiness does not include you? What if their happiness means being with someone else? This is when we should realise that no matter how many strategies you make, how many prayers you write, the Gohonzon will always give you results based on your intent.

Forgiveness

A man strives to grant forgiveness after a devastating loss.

The only way to fight hatred is with love. You can not banish the darkness of hatred with more hate. The world is full of hate, the world is full of love. Like light and dark these opposing forces cancel each other out.

Darkness is merely an absence of light, just like hate is merely an absence of love.

The hatred that lives in the hearts of men and women can not exist when drowned out by love.

The people that oppress us, silence us and shut us down, must be sent love, not hate for if we allow hatred in our hearts we can become the ones we hate, with ease.

Hatred is like a poison that destroys and obliterates your humanity, it smothers millions of years of progress of our consciousness, it is the darkness within us.

Hatred is easy, it is a lower path, we can fall in to this like a leaf falling from a tree into the cool river below. But to love those who persecute us can be likened to an ant lifting Mount Fuji on its back.

Love and Compassion are our biggest weapons in our daily struggle against hatred.

Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo

Robbie

I urge you to listen to this story of forgiveness - http://themoth.org/posts/stories/forgiveness

{it left me speechless}

The world is full of Love. The World is full of Hate.

The world is full of Love. The World is full of Hate. The world is full of Life and the world is full of Death. The world is full of Light and the world is full of Dark. We exist within this constant state of flux.

The universe is a place of creation and the universe is a place of destruction.

When we focus our intention, our minds, our lives on creating value, it fuels us with the energy to become a force for good, because when we see this value, it gives us hope, and in that hope is great potential. This doesn't mean we place our heads in the sand, it means we pour our energy into being productive and doing good.

When you post stuff to Facebook and talk to your friends be careful not to give in to scaremongering and gossip, it is vital that we try to make sure what we are sharing is correct and not just propaganda. There are people out there that want you to feel hopeless and powerless.

There are religious organisations out there that want us all to despise each other and fight over our beliefs. We can live in a harmonious world, it is possible.

Thank you to my friend for sending this image, happy Monday.

Nam myoho renge kyo
Robbie

Grief and love by Charlotte Pulver.

Found my self in a storm of grief today.
Being a human being certainly is a wild thing.

You never know what is round the corner, what lesson there is to learn, how much further the heart can hold pain, expand and stretch.

Love and grief walk hand and hand I feel.
I am learning that they are lovers.
When I truly allow the grief to wash through me, my heart feels like it is both breaking into pieces...yet breaking open.....breaking open into...love.

Humans grieve essentially for the loss of love, life and beauty in which our hearts have been profoundly touched.

I am learning when grieving the loss of some one, thing or experience...the tears of grief are indeed an ally. An ally for the heart to be cleansed and held...ferrying us like a boat through the shock and loss...into love.

Because when we say goodbye to those we love...and at the end of our very own days...the only thing we can ever take with us is...love.

So in those times of loss, the natural forces of change - I encourage you not to be scared by the tidal waves of grief. Make an ally of it - it will help you to extract the love. The essential medicine that is at the heart of everything. And this love is something that can never be stolen, destroyed or lost...for it is truly eternal.

By Charlotte Pulver

Dealing with Anger - Trapped in a hell state.

It's so hard to let go of anger sometimes.
It is so easy to sit with it, to stew in it.
To bubble and fight.

But sitting and letting go couldn't be simpler.

At this very moment I am trapped in a hell state. Every minute of my day, I am consumed by it. My connection to my true self smothered by the illusion of these emotions.

To be Buddhist does not mean, we shy away from anger and emotion, it means that we are brave enough to see our selves as we truly are. Good points and band points and realise there is something that needs to change.

Most of the time it is us that needs to change.

But  change is hard and it is painful, but I know that I am going to get through this.

If you are suffering in a hell state, or you are angry, realise that being in this state is more damaging to you, then it is to the other person.

Together we can breath in and out and let it go...

Namaste. Bobby XXX

Sister

We are always connected. No matter where you are.

Wondering on a breeze up high.

Life feathers in the wind.

She dances with the power of the mystic law under her feet, a raging burning fire.

Her strength is second to none, her wisdom deeper than the ocean floor.

Alone on the mountain she looks out over the land, seeking the answers to life's big questions.

She is unstoppable.

She is filled with the eternal strength and compassion of the Buddha, innate with in every aspect of her life.

Her name is Nadie Nadine Fontaine.

She is my Buddhist Sister.

NMRK

I want others to change. I am angry at my parents for criticising me and my faith.

Who are you?

Hello Mr.Robbie,

I am very sorry for disturbing you. I found myself being criticized for my faith by my parents and girlfriend, something which makes me feel angry and sometimes I'm facing trouble staying content, thus not following the third precept. Is there any way I can manage to preserve a calm stay of mind and stay unaffected by negative words? I am greatly worried to find myself often wanting to go back to my previous philosophy because of the pressure applied on me for that matter, but on the other hand, as you saw yourself, my philosophy of life and the way things are is more on the Buddhist side. I surely found strength and compassion inside me, but I think I need some help on the anger part...what should I do?

Thank you for your time to read this.

Hello Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to write.

It always touches me deeply when a person writes to me to share their life, so I wanted to thank you and show my gratitude to you.

Together we can win in life. You are never alone. Never forget that.

When it comes to anger, I think the biggest thing to realise is that the reaction in our selves is often a reflection of how we feel about ourselves or our faith. If we feel insecure about our selves and our faith, this means we can easily become defensive, as we feel we are under attack.

However, when a person has a strong sense of identity, or an even stronger faith or high life state, they will not react in an aggressive way to even the most horrific criticism, as their confidence in them selves or their faith is unshakable.

Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can not hurt me. This may be a cliché but it rings true always.

No matter what others say about you, the single most important thing is how you feel about yourself and how you feel towards your faith.

Chanting earnest diamoku (nam myoho renge kyo) every day, will help you cut through this illusion.

You parents and your girlfriend should be able to see the changes in you as a person with your diamoku.

Using your prayers to transform your relationships with your parents and your girlfriend.

Often, what we want is for others to change. We raise our fists at these people and shout CHANGE CHANGE, WHY WON'T YOU CHANGE?

However, what you must realise is that you can NEVER get others to change. You are the one that must change.

In your heart a change must occur for this obstacle to pass. The more you chant for the happiness of your self and your family, things will change.

As you change, your environment will respond and so will the people in it.

Always focus on your prayer and your study. Learn more about Buddhist teachings.

Prayer, Faith and Study. These three things are key to cutting through the bullshit/illusion that is all around us.

This illusion comes in many forms but most of the time, it is all in our head.

As we create these strong beliefs, we project outwards and manifest situations, relationships, illnesses etc.

Never forget you have the gift of the Buddha nature, within you.

Limitless amounts of wisdom, courage and strength.

Chant Nam myoho renge kyo and use this to transform you life, let go of your anger and feel love.

Fond wishes
Robbie

Time to let go.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Showing Gratitude

Sometimes we can spend all our lives feeling miserable and complaining about what we don't have, that we forget to show gratitude & be thankful for what we do have, already in our lives.

I wish I had a bigger house, I wish my husband was more patient, I wish my life was simpler, I wish I had more money, I wish I had a better job, I wish I had a better body.

Focusing your mind and your heart on that lack, will only have your life reflect back to you, that lack.

Because this is all your heart and mind will see.


You will spend your days missing out on the good things and wonderful people who already have a permanent place with in your life and your heart.

The holiday seasons is fast approaching and at this time of year, make sure you show love & gratitude to the people & things around you.

2011 is a new year with plenty of opportunity to manifest the things you want in life.

So stop for a moment and give thanks & gratitude for 2010, both good & bad, they're all lessons on the path of life.

Be thankful for being alive, being human and having the opportunity to be a part of this experience. No matter how dark things are, always remember, you have the potential to have your prayers answered.

But you must focus on what you want, your determinations. Not on your lack, or your loss.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Namaste

Nam myoho renge kyo

Quiet Strength

Rosa Parks wrote in her book Quiet Strength: "I find that if I am thinking too much of my own problems and the fact that at times things are not just like I want them to be, I do not make any progress at all. But if I look around and see what I can do, and then I do it, I move on." 

Youth, and indeed life itself, flashes by in the blink of an eye. That is why it is important for you young people to ask yourselves what you can do for those who are suffering, what you can do to resolve the contradictions that plague society and to boldly take on these great challenges.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President

Hope for a better future

Sometimes I think that "civilisation" can be likened to a loaded gun or a run-away train, with a small child in control.

One day humanity will take control of its destiny.

Since the dawn of civilisation we have been screwing things up.

As long as there are people with hope, and as long as we have people who can imagine a better future.

Anything is possible.

Keep dreaming, chanting, praying for a better future for our kind.

A Buddhist Blessing

After a morning of challenges, I feel we could do with a little blessing.


Enjoy.


Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.

May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.

For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Do I choose my karma?

So why do bad things happen to good people? Why are children abused and wars occur? Why did you mum get cancer or did you brother die young?

All these questions do not have a simple answer, but in Buddhist philosophy we have a few possible ideas of why this might happen.

In Buddhism we basically believe that everyone is the same age, since we are eternal beings, the fact that a person is a child and you are an adult is simple a case of perspective.

We are all simply popping in and out of existence at different intervals, and at different times. Just like the atoms in our bodies, the seasons coming and going and the water that moves through-out the earth, via the precipitation cycle.

Now; the idea that a baby can come in to the world and have bad things happen to them is something that is not easy to grasp or to try to understand.

In my opinion;  no one consciously chooses their suffering, but I know from our beliefs as Buddhists, we choose our suffering on a different level, (not the level of the conscious mind/brain) as it sets us on a path. But we are not isolated beings as we are all connected, and every thing that we do and experience effects our families, our communities and ultimately the entire world.

Take that young lad dying in the US from bullying about being gay, it has sparked a HUGE debate and people are sitting up and talking about the issues facing gay people.

I see life very much like a play or a drama, we are all actors on the stage of life, and we step on and off that stage with many different masks.

The stories that we tell and the experiences we live are written in the script of that play, and we are the ones who are writing it, as we go and move forward.

Bad things happen to good people, not because they ask for it, or deserve it, but because they are simply on a path that led them through suffering.

It is like walking a path through a forest, we have to struggle through the thorns to get out the other side, but through that suffering we are stronger, wiser and more connected to the source of all creation. (God, Allah, The Universe etc.)

Deep suffering has caused many human beings to break free from their old ways of being and become great and powerful minds and creators.

Showing gratitude

There is a difference between feeling gratitude and appreciation for something, and feeling attachment to something. Appreciation and gratitude are states of pure love, while attachment contains fear - fear of losing or not having what you are attached to. When it comes to something you want in your life, appreciation and gratitude attracts, and attachment pushes away. If you are feeling afraid that you will not get what you want, or losing what you have, then you have attachment.

To remove the attachment, keep shifting yourself into a state of appreciation and gratitude, until you can feel that the fear has gone.

The Earth - Our Home...

Panasonic VariCam HD cameras were used for land-based footage and Sony HD cameras for aerial sequences. For aerial footage the camera was mounted in a device called a Heligimbal, a gyroscopically-stabilised housing attached to the underside of a helicopter and controlled by joystick from inside the cockpit. The unit was lightweight, enabling lenses with a longer reach to be attached (up to 40x magnification).

The earth is a priceless jewel, of which we must cherish.

Some-days we forget what a beautiful planet Earth truly is. We wake up every day and we go about our chores, our work and we become so consumed by every thing that happens around us and in our mind, we often dont stop and observe the wonder and the beauty around. The trees, the birds, the flowers, the rock and stone, the water and air.

Have you ever picked a flower, held it in your hand, looked at it, seen it and merged with it? Have you ever just looked at an object and just allowed it to be, without question, or judgement or an attempt to understand it.

To really, see it!

The earth is a priceless jewel and it is our duty to cherish it, honour it and protect it.

THINK YOUR SELF SUCESSFUL -> FAITH + PASSION + DESIRE + FOCUS + DREAMS = RESULT

Life is a race to win. :) Lets win together! 

“If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world we find
Success being with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are:
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.”

― Walter D. Wintle

Live in Joy.

We all know what it’s like to get trapped in dark, constricting states of mind—and how useless it is, in terms of awakening, to dwell there. That is exactly what the Buddha taught: we don’t need to stay stuck in greed, hatred, and delusion. Life can be lighter, more workable, even when it’s challenging. This lightening up, which I see as an aspect of joy, is the fruit of insight into anatta, the selfless nature of reality, and anicca, the truth of impermanence. When we are not attached to who we think we are, life can move through us, playing us like an instrument. Understanding how everything is in continual transformation, we release our futile attempts to control circumstances. When we live in this easy connection with life, we live in joy.