How I Reached The Lotus Sutra!

Made on Notes (I pad)

Religion to me is the way of living our life. I am born into a Hindu family ( not very traditional but one where prayer was a routine).We worshipped all forms of Gods that exist in our religion.My mother taught me numerous shlokas depending on the situation/ problem I was facing at different times.Reciting these made me feel better and believe that there is "some" super power which is listening to what I am reciting and I am being blessed every time. I now understand that by repeating these mantras I was strengthening my will power and ability to deal with the situation.
As I grew older, the problems seemed to increase with more responsibilities which meant more surrender to the Supreme whom I had never met or seen. But my Science taught me that even electricity cannot be seen or touched.You only experience it,isn't it? So I continued to believe my experiences.Gradually by repetition, it moved to internalising this Energy inside. Whenever the need arose,I could consult this Power sitting inside me that would guide me and I would follow without questioning. You may call this intuition or the sixth sense.But I believe that I developed it because I allowed it to settle inside me. This, I later understood was called Self awareness. Ramana's "who  am I" question..
I began reading books on Self awareness  and watched TV programs on them. Echart Tolle, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Jaya Row.. to name a few. While teaching in school, my day used to start at 5.30 AM as I had to catch the School bus at 6.45AM. which meant that I had to finish off with the minimum essential work before I left. My day would end by 11PM at night ( teaching job in India involves a major task of checking notebooks everyday!! Almost 4 sets of 40 notebooks everyday, particularly if you are a Maths teacher!!) Just before retiring for the day, I got hooked to watching Jaya Row who spoke in English on Bhagwad Geeta every day...Astha channel ..just 15 minutes in all. My first virtual guru! She sounded contemporary and with a good sense of humor and gave many analogies that I could connect with. Her program was followed by Sukhobodhananda who was also good but a little heavy on my tired brain. This gave me energy to sustain my existence in the family life balancing it with my professional work. This went on, followed by Brahmakumaris sister Shivani and many more who spoke in Hindi and English. My prayer time got restricted and I went deeper into understanding life per se. Situations came, all this knowledge ( or wisdom?) taught me to deal with every obstacle that I faced. I had that "power" inside now.
Soon,I was teaching students at my own institute.It was easier now to convey my thoughts to my students.Relating Science with Spirituality became normal for me.It had become my way of life.
My own children were in their teens.They questioned, we discussed,we argued and finally chose to go by what suited us best. I don't want to know if they believe in what I believe or not. We can all make our guesses about God..isn't it.To each, his own.
Then, one day, I happened to meet my father's old friend/ colleague's daughter, who introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism. I attended a few discussions at her place where I found that it was easily adaptable. I didnot get involved with the activities of the Group though I enjoyed just being there. There were a lot of people going for it too.
I believe in devotion. It can come in any form...simply by even "talking" to God?

So how is all this related to the picture that I have drawn? My mother used to often tell me that my father is like a lotus in a pond. And the explanation she gave was that wherever he was,in any situation, or in any company, he would know to attach himself   physically yet be detached emotionally. That I thought was the highest level of self awareness!
The reaching of Buddhahood. A lotus lives in muddy waters,yet stands apart pure and untouched by its surroundings. Rising and blooming above the murk is enlightenment. That is what the lotus teaches us says Buddhism.
We have the innate ability to overcome any problem or difficulty that we may encounter in life. The Lotus Sutra
works as a guideline to conduct one's life with boundless compassion, wisdom and courage inherent in us.The idea is not to escape from your problems but to deal with them,develop your inner state and make youself fearless and peaceful at all times. This done, you rise up like the Lotus, enlightened and pure though surrounded by the dirty waters of the world. This state of being is called Buddhahood.

Nam myoho renge kyo!