When do you breathe???

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Permalink Reply by Dan (site assistant) on June 13, 2008 at 9:52am

Hi Doug,

We don't teach a method of 'breathing.' For us, chanting isn't about technique. Each person can chant at his own pace and place for their individual practice. I sometimes encourage bootcamp kids in the military to 'think' Nam myoho renge kyo as a mantra -- not because it's a requirement. (something I do every Sunday)

Only that so they won't be punished by their drill sargent to do extra '8-counts' during their intense training. I tell them to whisper if if they have to. And when they can, they should chant it aloud. Many of them have come back to me with great stories of how it helped them overcome the physical tests they do (like running the mile under a required timing to graduate), helped calm them down during stressful situations ('hell week'); even chanting for unity amonst their corps team to win the Captain's flag. They find that the chanting helps them with their breathing, pass physical tests and stress, and have helped them in so many ways.

I don't see them except every Sunday, so I don't know what happens to them during the week until they return to report to me how it's helped them. By the time they leave bootcamp, they know how to chant, do gongyo (a daily practice of reading the sutra). What happens to them after is up to them. The very sincere ones have gone on to join as members of our buddhist organization.

I make sure to 'drill' it into them that they can chant for anything they want, but the most important thing is that I tell them that chanting helps bring out our buddha nature and apply it to their daily lives. Use chanting to get to the heart of the matter of their daily lives, their concerns, or their problems. There's enough there for us to spend a lifetime on working on ourselves, and especially overcoming our negative karma. Chanting is all about learning how to change the seemingly negative destiny of our lives and transform them into lives of positive value. I could go on forever about the benefits of chanting but your very life itself will be the true gauge of how chanting works for you. It all comes from your intent, or your inner determination to simply want to become happy.

best,

Dan

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Permalink Reply by Dan (site assistant) on June 13, 2008 at 10:09am

P.S. - check out the book The Buddha in Your Rearview Mirror. It's a great intro and easy read about the buddhism we practice. best, -D

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Permalink Reply by Roberto on June 14, 2008 at 2:51pm

Dear Doug,

Yes, your question is pretty simple but be sure that each of us have placed that question ones. There is not a certain technique. Each of us use their own method. I have found very useful for me to breath-in at the word "ho" (myo-ho). So after a number of daimoku's I am used to change breath/speak-out at "nam-myo" fast breath in at "ho" and continue so on with speak out. The number of daimoku's depends on the loud of my daimoku's. More loud = less number of speak-out (min. 8 sentences). Less loud = I can reach about 20 sentences.

Of course we can chant mentally. I am used to do a lot during the day. However the most important to me is to keep focused in what I am doing. So I am continuously trying to direct my intentions when I feel to chant (mentally or loudly).

Hope this will help you in your practice.

Ciao

Roberto

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Permalink Reply by Kanani on June 17, 2008 at 5:02pm

Doug, I am laughing because I am at that breath/speak spot at myo/HO... it's easier to inspire at that time. k

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Permalink Reply by Aloha2U on June 14, 2008 at 7:28pm

Hello Doug,
I had responded to Dan which in turn he asked me to come here to give my thoughts about it. When I started it was by going to meetings with me friend. But when I got a bit more serious about just doing Daimoku . I started chanting aloud and also to myself mentally. I found that I tend to do this at the beach and infront of the waves. I found that my breathing would come into place just after a few chants. Which then I could hear my heart beat as I was chanting. I also noticed that all the tourist around me and the waves seem to stop. I didn't here them anymore like I went deaf. I found that I put myself in this trance. I also do this in my bed when I can hear my thought go a million miles because of the drama that is happening in my life. But I can say I do take deep breathes after NMRKx6-8 times. I have noticed that when I'm at a meeting that it is kinda the same point that some of the members would take this breath. There are some that say it so fast their breathes come faster. But the mere fact that you are chanting is great. I think when you focus on saying Nam Myoho Renge Kyo over and over that you will take your breath when you need too. I hope that I was some help -Nina

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Permalink Reply by Linda on June 15, 2008 at 6:54am

The more connected with the Gohonzon and your daimoku you get - the more it will manifest itself in your life.
I often chant both daimoku and gongyo in my head when I'm in public or alone when walking or tending my garden etc. It has become a part of my life, no - it IS my life, just like breathing. Always present though I don't always notice.
And it's simply because I am Gohonzon and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as well as you are Gohonzon and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we all are. It's all stated in the Lotus Sutra.
Breathing in deeply when chanting and breathing out completely has also got a grounding and calming effect - which is very useful in our daily lives.
Love from Linda

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Permalink Reply by Mimi the Snapdiva on June 15, 2008 at 9:43am

I try to breathe at the end of a phrase-- nice deep breath so I don't hyperventilate and return to the part where I am chanting. When I chant with others I take my breaths so that the rhythm is not interrupted-- sometimes for a whole phrase.
Chanting aloud with eyes open works best for me. I try to chant with the same tone and inflection for all the syllables. I also chant with the visualization that I am chanting from the depths of my life to connect with the universe.
Much easier to learn how to chant with other people. I hope you can find SGI members near you so you can have a direct connection.
Best,Mimi

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Permalink Reply by Kanani on June 17, 2008 at 5:05pm

"When I chant with others I take my breaths so that the rhythm is not interrupted". This is a good point... Not only is the rythm kept, but notice the harmony? A friend that attended a meeting with me years ago kept looking around for the organ and the choir...

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Permalink Reply by June Seculles on June 15, 2008 at 9:59am

Please let me share my thoughts about chanting mentally.

Nichiren Daishonin emphasized in his Gosho, the greatest good cause a human being can do to change the bad cause accumulated through out his life is chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Bad cause or karma is created through our thoughts, words, and deeds. So chanting should be done with our thoughts, words and deeds as well to change misfortune and create good karma in its entirety.

I chant with common sense. If the conditions allow me to chant, i find my ways. Loud or soft, it's my judgement. The least softness is as long as I can hear myself. It is your heart that is important. Chanting with sincerity and determination what really matters.

I never heard of any rule/s applied when chanting by yourself. But chanting in unison and in a meeting, that's a different story.

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Permalink Reply by Doreen Himeko on June 15, 2008 at 4:41pm

Doug, Please watch the video in the website of Tina Turner. She actually chants on the Larry King Show. You can do a search and you will find it. As she breathes in, she is also verbalizing. Of course she is a trained singer.

The best thing to do is to network with SGI members in your area. Find out where your district goes to chant on a regular basis. This is a philosophy that very much stresses the need to connect with others because we are all interconnected with all living beings. You will enjoy it and it will become natural for you. Chanting, along with compassion your Karma will go a long way. SGI teaches us to do the best we can in all we do. And believe it or not, it works. Remember, even the beautiful Lotus flower arises out of the dirtiest muddy waters. SGI members actually look for challenges. You will learn so much and overcome your dark side.

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Permalink Reply by Kanani on June 17, 2008 at 5:00pm

When I started, I was told that "you can chant ANYWHERE"... I chanted in the car, in the bathroom etc... "when do you breathe?"... when you need to and try to let it come naturally.. On many occassions when I am at work or in "mixed company", I mentally chant. There is a story of the Buddha chewing his food 16 times (this enabled him to THINK about things and not just blurt answers or responses like so many of us tend to do)... Since i don't want to embarrass myself, I don't "chew" so to speak.. instead I will mentally chant.. and it isn't that distracting either.

When you chant, just try to be natural and relaxed as possible... if you need to practice, use your windsheild wipers as guides for chanting, sort of like a monotone (the pendalum used for music).. good luck and enjoy...

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Permalink Reply by Mark (Des Plaines) on July 2, 2008 at 8:38am

Doug,

Keep in mind that chanting aloud is a much greater cause than in your head - one of the meanings of 'Kyo' is Sound - but either way the cause is made.
Also, when to breathe is not as important as breathing consistently throughout. Consistency in all aspects of this practice is important. I've found that if I wait too long between breaths I get sleepy (probably due to oxygen deprivation!!), so I try not to prolong them - probably about 6 - 10 repetitions at moderately fast tempo.
Good fortune awaits you, Doug!!! Keep it up, we appreciate your feedback!

Peace,
Mark Lester

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