How to Chant-Ted Morino

Here’s a copy of the memo from SGI-USA’s Ted Morino on “How to Chant”:

*HOW TO CHANT TO CHANGE THE CORE OF YOUR LIFE *

*- Ted Morino, SGI-USA*

First of all, before you begin – *relax, clear your head, clear your
heart!*

But especially your head, your mind, relax emotionally, mentally,
physically. It is important to be very natural.

Second, when you chant, you really need to use your eyes. *Focus on
The Gohonzon. *Then listen to your voice. Focus on the ‘myoho’
character [about one fifth of the way down, in the middle] which means
‘mystical’. You have to use your eyes. This is extremely important. When
you use your eyes, your mind stops. Clear your mind by strongly focusing
your eyes. Let your thoughts rest by using your eyes. When you’re busy
thinking all the time, your brain is sucking energy. This means your
brain is getting stronger (which is not healthy), but your core isn’t
changing because the energy isn’t being directed there.

What you really have to do is look at the Gohonzon with power and let
Your mind relax. The Gohonzon in your life already knows your worries
and desires. Keep everything in your heart – *just chant with your eyes
locked on the Gohonzon. *Then when Nam Myoho Renge Kyo comes into tune
with the core of your life, it will melt away and dissolve karma. It
will change into strength so you can become strong and clear-minded
enough to accomplish your desires.

In this way you should come to enjoy the act of chanting because
you’re feeling the core of your life. You’re fusing with the highest
potential in your life, represented by the Gohonzon. *When you’re
thinking strategies, you’re not changing your karma. *

* *
*Q. When I chant I often imagine what I want. I picture it in my mind.
I see it happening in my mind. Is that OK?*

A: Positive imaginations are a good thing, but not strategies. If you
get to imagining how to make it happen, instead of the images of it,
then you are strategizing.

Prayer should come from the heart! The Gohonzon knows your worries and
desires. Keep them in your heart, focus on the Gohonzon and simply
chant. If you can do simple, good daimoku and gongyo, Nam Myoho Renge
Kyo goes stronger, deeper, to expand you, dissolve difficult karma and
generate positive results. Daimoku should come from your core. If it
comes from the brain, the brain becomes stronger and so does the
confusion.

When you close your eyes or avert them from the Gohonzon, the power to
fuse the core of your life with the Gohonzon weakens and the mind plays
around. Chant clearly, confidently, comfortably.

*Don’t read while you chant! Don’t do anything while you chant.
Just chant.
*When you read, read. When you chant, chant. After good daimoku you may
read or your schedule may require you to get right to work or do things
you need to do. You may have a busy life, but don’t have busy daimoku.
Don’t be busy,focus! Through focused daimoku, you can melt away negative
karma. Chanting is a time to cultivate your life, not think about your
strategies.

Daimoku
is the time to enrich your Buddha nature, not the time to have a
Planning meeting for your life or day.

In my head: positive imaginations

In my heart: deep prayer

In my mouth: clear chanting