"Leave behind the passive dreaming of a rose-tinted future. The energy of happiness exists in living today with roots sunk firmly in reality's soil." — Daisaku Ikeda
Dealing with discomfort has been one of my greatest challenges. As a struggling college freshman, I was living in the back of my Volkswagen Beetle when I met my wife. I fell desperately in love with her. It wasn't until we ran away together that I appreciated how committed she was to our happiness. And, while she was and continues to be a wonderful source of external support, the internal uncertainties in my own life and the world around me still practically paralyzed me with fear. Enter my Buddhist practice.
Nichiren wrote that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. During my most difficult times, I have been able to summon this power through chanting. It is as if my fundamental fear of discomfort is repeatedly replaced with hope, appreciation and a deeper understanding of my purpose in life. Because of this, I have been able to create a much happier life. However, it hasn't been easy.
"A passage in the Six Paramitas Sutra says to become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you. Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra." — Nichiren, Letter to the Brothers
Having a fertile imagination is a double-edged sword — the downside being the ability to scare myself with dream scenarios that are not deserving of any attention. These negative thoughts only add to my sense of discomfort and, if I'm not careful, can sabotage my happiness. My practice and several tools from my therapist have given me the wisdom to discriminate between make-believe and real problems. For instance, my mind will try to convince me that I'm depressed when I'm actually just tired. Discerning reality is often the difference between being mastered by my mind or mastering it.
Of course, there is a small part of me that still pines for a rose-tinted future. Holds onto the dream of an existence with no pain and no uncertainty. This misconception about human life can make it difficult to take the actions necessary to manifest my Buddha nature. And that is why Buddhism is an ongoing daily practice.
