Unutterably Silly So what are you doing RIGHT NOW?

[badgoodDeb]

KK: And so, whichever burglar was carrying a plate of spaghetti, he didn't bother you either? Good.

[kindlekitten]

I seem to be fine, but there were lingering cooking odors this morning and nothing has been cooked here since a salmon on the grill Sunday

[badgoodDeb]

Cue the Alfred Hitchcock background music .....

[poohbear_nc]

I have "scent hallucinations" with migraines - sometimes part of the aura, sometimes after taking the meds - mine are usually smelling smoke (the first time it occurred I was convinced the house was on fire), gasoline, or an unpleasant 'trash' type odor.

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I seem to be fine, but there were lingering cooking odors this morning and nothing has been cooked here since a salmon on the grill Sunday

Oh my gosh, sounds a bit like my house, but instead of smelling cooking odors we hear occasional noises and feel a presence at times. Our house is built on an Indian burial ground. I know... very Hitchcock-esque! lol I don't know if you're open-minded about angels and Buddhism, but I usually pray for angels to protect me and... if I feel a bit too frightened, I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (a Nichiren Buddhist chant) for about 20 minutes. Then I'm no longer afraid. The fear dissipitates... It's weird.

Here's a beautiful song by Tina Turner (and friends) that I chant to. I listen to it four times in succession while chanting; it helps with the repetition (which can be quite tedious):

If you're interested, you could purchase the CD Beyond by Tina Turner, Dechen Shak Dagsay and Regula Curti (2010) at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, Amazon no longer carries the digital format. I don't know why...

'Hope that helps.


Edit: I'm having a problem displaying the Youtube video, but you could simply click on this link and be taken to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22R4HFD0j3I

Feel free to message me if you have any questions. : )

[crich70]

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

Oh my gosh, sounds a bit like my house, but instead of smelling cooking odors we hear occasional noises and feel a presence at times. Our house is built on an Indian burial ground. I know... very Hitchcock-esque! lol I don't know if you're open-minded about angels and Buddhism, but I usually pray for angels to protect me and... if I feel a bit too frightened, I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (a Nichiren Buddhist chant) for about 20 minutes. Then I'm no longer afraid. The fear dissipitates... It's weird.

Here's a beautiful song by Tina Turner (and friends) that I chant to. I listen to it four times in succession and chant; it helps with the repetition (which can be quite tedious):

If you're interested, you could purchase it at Amazon.com and simply play the song in loop.

'Hope that helps. : )


Edit: I'm having a problem with the Youtube video, but you could simply click on this link and be taken to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22R4HFD0j3I

Sounds like you need a good lung capacity to sing it properly.

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by crich70

Sounds like you need a good lung capacity to sing it properly.

Lol Not really. My voice is very flat, but it suffices! I simply chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, not the whole mantra... which is quite long. *big eyes*

I'm listening to the video again. Tina Turner chants a longer version of the mantra in the beginning of the song and at the end chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo over and over again. I don't think I'll ever learn the whole mantra. Oh my gosh, that would take me forever!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

... if I feel a bit too frightened, I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (a Nichiren Buddhist chant) for about 20 minutes. Then I'm no longer afraid. The fear dissipitates... It's weird.

It seems to be more effective than Soka Gakai, and without the law suits!


Stitchawl

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

It seems to be more effective than Soka Gakai, and without the law suits!


Stitchawl

I've read a few bad things about SGI (Soka Gakai International). It started out as a great organization from what I read. I really don't know how much truth there is to the reviews, though, and I'm not a member. I don't know firsthand how helpful this organization could be. But I believe we could all have spiritual experiences on our own. I've had quite a few by merely chanting or meditating on my chakras. I don't meditate on my chakras anymore... I find it unnecessary now. The Kundalini Yoga and Nichiren Buddhist mantras I chant are enough.

God (or the Goddess--whatever your conception of God is) is within us--each and every one of us, I believe. We don't need the middleman, in my opinion. To teach us perhaps, but not for spiritual experiences.

This is just my belief. 'Hope I'm not offending anyone.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

I've read a few bad things about SGI (Soka Gakai International). It started out as a great organization from what I read. I really don't know how much truth there is to the reviews, though, and I'm not a member.

Believe them...
Like most cults, the mission statement and goals are honorable. It's in the practice that things get quite distorted.

The Kundalini Yoga and Nichiren Buddhist mantras I chant are enough.

Add in the Jodo Shishu chant of 'Namu Amida Butsu' and you'll have the field pretty well covered with no need to donate all your life's savings to Ikeda-san and his Sokka pals, nor promise to sacrifice your first-born child.

'Hope I'm not offending anyone.

Gee, I usually manage to offend at least one person every day. At this point, I'm 3 years and two months ahead of schedule.


Stitchawl

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Add in the Jodo Shishu chant of 'Namu Amida Butsu' and you'll have the field pretty well covered with no need to donate all your life's savings to Ikeda-san and his Sokka pals, nor promise to sacrifice your first-born child.

Stitchawl

Thank you for suggesting this mantra. I'll have to do some research and see if I could find a video/MP3 on how to pronounce it--perhaps on Amazon.com or YouTube.

If its meaning is easily understandable and I don't have to chant it a zillion times, I might add it to my Morning Mantras list.




Edit: I found this helpful explanation and guide:

Voice of the Nembutsu

Try to recite the Nembutsu and the Pure Land (the Land of Ultimate Bliss) will soon be realized in your mind.

* Special thanks to Monsu Koryu Nakamura Shonin, Chief Priest of Jodo Shu, for this edition of Nembutsu recitation.

The Significance of Nembutsu

In Jodo Shu, we value the recitation of the nembutsu, "Namu Amida Butsu", because it means "total reliance upon the compassion of Amida Buddha."

When do we recite Nembutsu?
In Jodo Shu, there are three different times to recite the nembutsu. The first type of recitation is done in our everyday life, and is called "Jinjo Gyogi." It is considered a "daily" nembutsu. The second type of nembutsu is called "Betsuji Nembutsu" and takes place only on a pre-determined date and time. The third type is called "Rinju Gyogi." It is chanted on one's deathbed just before the believer is welcomed into the Pure Land (Jodo),

Three different ways to recite Nembutsu
1) Junen:
The recitation of Namu Amida Butsu ten times. The teaching of Junen appears in the Eighteenth Vow of Amida Buddha in Sutra of Immeasurable Life (Muryoju-kyo). It states that every person who recites the nembutsu ten times shall be saved. "Namu Amida Butsu" is recited eight times in one breath without voicing "tsu," a breath is taken and the full "Namu Amida Butsu" is recited once making nine times. The final (tenth) Nembutsu is chanted with the "tsu" almost silent again, as if one has swallowed the word.
2) Nembutsu Ichie:
Nembutsu should be recited as many times as possible without limiting its number.
3) Sanshorai:
"Naam Ami Daau" is recited three times very slowly and finished with a deep bow.
This is repeated three times making nine, the total number of nembutsu.

Before reciting the nembutsu one must do the following:
First one does "Gassho", a most important act in Buddhism. It is accomplished by gently placing your palms together in front of your chest, without any space between the fingers. (It should be noted that this is different then the Christian pose). Gassho may be done either standing or sitting. A rosary (juzu) should be draped over your hands as seen in the photograph and the nembutsu should be recited clearly in a voice neither too loud nor too soft.

Honen Shonin taught people that it was enough to simply recite Nembutsu. He firmly believed that true Buddhism should be able to be practiced easily anywhere and at any time...

Source: http://www.jodo.org/teachings/nembutsu.html


I chanted it just now and I feel a bit more at peace. Thank you for this mantra, Stitchawl!

[phenomshel]

Just got home from the first meeting of the library's new Mysteries At Six book club. We had a local author (Terri Reid) come, and the book was the first in her Mary O'Reilly series, Loose Ends. We had a ball, but ended up doing more ghost story telling than actual book discussion. We had a BIG crowd for our library, especially considering it was the first meeting, and my boss said she didn't feel like she'd done enough promotion. So I'd say my baby (having a mystery book club in addition to the non-fiction/more literary book club that already existed was my idea) did very well. Next month is Alan Bradley's The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by trichobezoar

....................I chanted it just now and I feel a bit more at peace. Thank you for this mantra, Stitchawl!

You're welcome. Use it in good health.

Personally, although Taoist, I prefer a more temporal one:
"When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout! When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!"
Repeated several times, it calms me right down.


Stitchawl

[trichobezoar]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Personally, although Taoist, I prefer a more temporal one:
"When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout! When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!"
Repeated several times, it calms me right down.


Stitchawl

lol I already practice that when I'm restless, irritable and discontent. I just never learned the words to it.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

You're welcome. Use it in good health.

Personally, although Taoist, I prefer a more temporal one:
"When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout! When in worry, when it doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!"
Repeated several times, it calms me right down.


Stitchawl

I have that on a T-shirt I wear frequently (with a stick figure performing the actions)