I got back from the Florida Nature and Culture Center Monday night. I had gone to the Spanish Language Conference in Weston, Florida from Friday, September 19th to Monday, September 22nd. I felt like I got everything that I needed from the conference. There were several things that resonated with me. One was that if we are supporting someone and we want the situation to change, we need to do our own human revolution. When we do our own human revolution, the change will be reflected in our environment. Sometimes in our relationships with others we may be chanting for that person to change. Or we may be thinking that we are right and they are wrong. However, being right may not necessarily create value or lead to harmony. We need to focus on ourselves and elevate our life condition and once we change, it is inevitable that there will be a response in our environment. So, I am determined to take full responsibility and do my human revolution.
I have also redetermined to study more. Out of the three pillars of faith, practice and study, study is my weakest link. Not having a solid background in study can have several effects on our practice. One is that when we are really struggling that is one time when we really need our study to encourage us to not give up. In times of turmoil, the words of Nichiren Daishonin are just the thing we need to keep on going. For example in his Letter to Niike he says, “Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?”
What is important about study is that we can use it to encourage ourselves and of course also use it to encourage others. Nichiren Buddhism is the practice for self and others. The best way to encourage another person is to rely upon the words of Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Daishonin. We can find these sources of support in the Living Buddhism, World Tribune and other publications. One great source of encouragement is the New Human Revolution. There are 30 volumes in total and I have read the first 27 and am currently working on volume 28. I have redetermined to ready 10 pages a day.
I have struggled with the mentor disciple relationship for the past 25 years. Understanding this with my heart has been a struggle for me. While I was chanting at the FNCC in the 24 hour Gohonzon room I was thinking to myself, “Now is the time and here is the place to connect with the heart of Sensei.” I am determined to keep working on this. And I know that my Buddhist study will help me get there. The time is now for Lisa Maria Cruz to really dive into her practice and embrace study. Not just for today, but for tomorrow and the many days to follow.
At the FNCC I met another woman who also had trauma in her background. We were both talking and shared that now is the time to tackle this. I do see a therapist regularly and we are going to address this in therapy so that I can heal myself and move on. I have been chanting for over a year to heal myself. The time has come to make this a reality. Many people have experienced some type of trauma in their childhood. I know that I am definitely not alone. When I work through this I will encourage others who have a similar struggle.
The main thing that I got out of the conference at FNCC is that I have a renewed determination to use my practice to win in life. I am determined to return to the Spanish Language Conference next year with at least one youth. I have also made a vow to myself to be completely bilingual when I return. I have many friends that I can practice my Spanish with. Time to get on with it Lisa Maria Cruz.