It was not until recently that I realised that it had been such a long time since I updated this blog! (Oops!)

Since the last post, I have settled into a new job, which has its own set of new challenges but I determine, every day, with vigourous daimoku that I will surmount all the obstacles that present themselves, and use them as a springboard to grow. Sometimes this is hard work, though!

Other than a quick update, the reason for this post is to just let you know that I have been using Twitter (Twitter name is macbuddha) for a few months now and find it’s bite-size frequent messaging format ideal for keeping in touch with friends, and exchanging ‘Tweets’  with people with similar interests. Worth a look!

Buddhism is primarily concerned with happiness for oneself and others, and usually, the initial way in which we interact, is with speech.

What makes good or bad speech? How does what we say affect other people? When we are talking, does our speech draw people together or separate them?

Good speech comes as a result of having the wisdom to know if what you are saying is for the benefit for yourself and others, or whether it damages yourself and others.

Damaging speech includes slander, harsh speech or gossip, but what makes people gossip? To some people, gossip is exciting, and brings about a sense of camaraderie and inclusiveness, but if you are unaware of its karmic impact, engaging in gossip actually moves you and others further away from the point of your lives ie happiness.

What about the words you use yourself? Are they received in way you intended? What is the motivation behind your words? Your own life state determines everything. The same words from two different life states will sound (and feel) completely different.

Our Buddhist practice not only gives us the ability to be mindful of these life states, but also provides the wherewithal to change it when we notice our life state is low.

Buddhist practice enables a higher sensitivity and awareness of yourself and others, and therefore you are more able to give right speech that is true, kind, appropriate and timely, or maybe just to listen – a healthy capacity to listen is a good foundation for speaking.

If you are motivated not only to practice Buddhism, but to put Buddhism into practice, this ‘Human Revolution’ increases your own capacity for compassion, wisdom, and within the sense of the French stem of the word courage ie ‘cour’, meaning ‘heart’, to encourage ie to give heart to others, and in these times, a warm, encouraging voice from a smiling face is more welcome than ever before.

From a Buddhist perspective, the purpose of life is happiness. I came across this article about how happiness, according to US researchers ‘rubs off on others’ and ‘is infectious and ripples through social groups’. I hope you enjoy reading it…

A study of 5,000 adults suggests a person’s happiness is dependent on the happiness of those around them.
A friend who becomes happy and lives less than a mile away increases your likelihood of happiness by 25%, the British Medical Journal reported.
But the mood of work colleagues did not have an effect, the Harvard Medical School-led study found.

The researchers used data on adults who took part in the US Framingham Heart Study – set up to look at the risks leading to future heart disease – between 1971 and 2003.
Participants were asked to identify their relatives, close friends, place of residence, and place of work and were followed up every two to four years.
They were also asked whether they agreed with statements on whether they enjoyed life, felt hopeful about the future, were happy and felt they were just as good as other people.
It was found that live-in partners who become happy increased the likelihood of their partner being happy by 8% and similar effects were found for siblings living close by (14%) and neighbours (34%).

The relationship between people’s happiness levels seemed to extend up to three degrees of separation – to the friend of a friend of a friend.

The analysis also showed that close physical proximity was important for the spread of happiness.
A person was 42% more likely to be happy if a friend who lives less than half a mile away becomes happy – an effect that declined with greater distance.
Study leader Professor Nicholas Christakis said the results suggest clusters of happiness occur because happiness spreads and not just because of a tendency for people to associate with similar individuals.
“Most important from our perspective is the recognition that people are embedded in social networks and that the health and wellbeing of one person affects the health and wellbeing of others.”
Professor Andrew Steptoe, a psychology expert from University College London, said: “It makes intuitive sense that if people around you are happy that might have an impact on your own happiness.
“What’s a bit more surprising is that it’s not just the people who you closely come into contact with but people a step removed as well.”
He said the work had implications for public health.
“Happiness does seem to be associated with protective effects on health.
“If happiness is indeed transmitted through social connections, it could indirectly contribute to social transmission of health,” he said.

In the light of the recent economic downturn, redundancies have been rumoured for a while within the company I work for, and a few days ago I received the notification I had been expecting. My job was being made redundant.

In the past. an event of this magnitude would have caused untold worry and stress, but I am completely certain that my Buddhist practise has enabled me to be in the right life-condition to deal with it, and as a result, feel very positive and enthusiastic about focussing my energy on doing something new, and perhaps completely different.

I am reminded of a section from ‘The Buddha, Geoff & Me’ (by Ed Canfor-Dumas and in my humble view an essential read!), where Ed has lost his job (!) and Geoff is explaining that it is all about how you look at life – the choices you make – whether you choose to be consumed by your problems or whether you choose to view them as ways to learn, grow and strengthen your own life. “Never heard of the Chinese for ‘Crisis’ ? ” asks Geoff. “They write it with two characters – one means Danger, the other, Opportunity.”

I recently had the good fortune to assist Jason Jarrett present a lecture at a Study Meeting. Jason and his wife Karen produce the superb podcasts on ‘www.abuddhistpodcast.com’. (The podcasts are available via iTunes podcast feed, Podshow+, or from the website itself.)

The ‘live’ version is every bit as good as you might expect, so if you get the chance to attend one of Jason’s lectures, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I attended a terrific Discussion Meeting the other day and it dawned on me just how significant they are.

Learning about Buddhism is to learn how life works, and to be in the company of a group of individuals who, in a welcoming and supportive environment, talk about how life works for them, is of immeasurable importance.

Sharing experiences in this way establishes and enriches connection between people – something that seems to have fallen by the wayside in a society based on money and power.

To join in these pivotal conversations based on the value-creation that underpins Nichiren Buddhism is the prime point and the heart of the practise, and key to individual growth.

We have all heard the phrase ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’ but Buddhism goes one step further, actively encouraging people to turn poison into medicine….

I was recently listening to a man who was describing an aspect of his personality which he felt was negative and the cause of suffering for himself and conflict with others.

He said he was very quick to sense something in other people he did not like, and found himself in confrontational situations as a result of interpreting others’ body language and non-verbal signals as threatening – often before the other person was aware they were doing it.

“What a tremendous skill to have such perception’, commented another,   “I wish I had that ability!”

Recently at work there has been a Head Office communication for an action I disagree with.

At a meeting with line managers I voiced my opinion, and attendees looked on in amazement as I spoke freely from the heart, taking a stand for others, that this action was wrong because it discriminated against certain individuals, therefore could not have any real value, and should be changed to encompass all individuals concerned.

I spoke assertively and rationally, without judgement or anger in my voice and I felt great. I could tell from others’ eyes that even though they chose not to speak up themselves, I was not alone in my view.

‘Where the f*** did that all come from?’ I mused. I had in inward smile because deep down I knew.

I came across a book I read years ago and was surprised when I refreshed my memory by flicking through the pages what a strong Buddhist (i.e. common sense) approach it has.

The book is called ‘FISH! – A Remerkable Way To Boost Morale and Improve Results’ by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Chrisensen and is the story of Seattle-based Mary Jane who hates her workplace, describing it as a ‘toxic energy dump’.

Inspired by the nearby Pike Place Fish Market  (it really exists – google it!) where everyone there has fun (and consequently takes lots of money) and loves being at work, she set about transforming her workplace by first of all acknowledging that there is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself.

Learning from the Pike Place Fish Market, she develops a simple set of self-generated actions based on four key concepts:

1.    Choose Your Attitude (Don’t blame others  - start with your own attitude!)

2.    Be There (Be attentive and compassionate when talking with others)

3.    Make Their Day (Take action based on the needs of others)

4.    Play (Have fun!)

By Mary-Jane changing her own attitude, those around her began to change and gradually the ‘toxic energy dump’ transformed into a great place to work.

A recommended read.

I attended two lectures given by the Dalai Lama. The first was a general public talk on ‘Caring For Our World’, the main points of which are listed below:

a). Global interdependence – In today’s world there is little self-sufficiency, and countries rely on others, so there is a real need for tolerance and understanding.

b). Compassion – It is necessary to move away from the self-centred way of the modern world to develop compassion for others, and put others’ needs before your own.

c). Non-Violence – Life is the most precious thing. Killing is completely wrong. Dialogue leading to friendship and trust is the correct way. On a personal level, examine your motives. Are your actions for the benefit of others, or are you cheating or exploiting them?

d). Animals – exploiting animals and killing for profit, fur or ‘ornaments’ is completely wrong.

e). Tibet – There are significant benefits of being part of China, i.e. education and medicine but Tibet has a need for a ‘meaningful autonomy’.

f). Religion – He welcomed “a variety of religions for a variety of people”.

The second lecture, also within the theme ‘Caring For Our World’, was co-hosted by the BBC’s Jonathan Dimbleby and featured conversation and questions, dance and poetry from local schoolchildren.

In conclusion the Dalai Lama’s conversation and humour were engaging, (I was hoping for more Buddhist content, but it would appear that the main teachings were in subsequent lectures.) and as a significant world figure his efforts to inform, educate and bring peace to our world can only be applauded, and I enjoyed the experience immensely.