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Comment by Norb Logsdon on June 6, 2010 at 8:07pm

I agree with Kanani! Hear hear, thanks to Steve for opening this forum!

Comment by Kanani on June 6, 2010 at 7:48pm

I would like to thank Steve for openning this forum so that we can address our issues and learn from each other how to apply our Buddhist practice to overcome the negative "earthly desires"...

Comment by Kanani on June 6, 2010 at 7:46pm

Norb,
thank you for your encouragement. I am currently in school working on my PhD. This keeps me extemely busy. I am also keeping active with my local SGI group.

I know that when I turn my attention and spare time into chanting, instead of watching TV, my thirst for the casino, drink or other non productive activities are less appealing. I shall win over this addiction. I understand that Nicherin Daishonin says we can attain Buddhahood as we are.. each day that I don't go to a casino is a day of realizing that I am a Buddha and "if I use the money (or financial fortune) wisely, I can be a winner in life... thank you to Darcey for reminding me that "I can do so much more"... k

Comment by Darcey Jane on June 6, 2010 at 6:16pm

Hi all
Glad to be invited to this group!
For me, overcoming my addictive behaviours (one day at a time) has been by focusing on what I DO want rather than what I don't - although it has all been part of the process. I have realised, through many hours daimoku and practice for kosen-rufu, that it is about enjoying a lifestyle that supports my mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth and that every realm I'm in (family, work, friends) is all part of my practice. This has helped me shift iinternally from a 'deficit' paradigm (I can't have fun anymore because I can't drink/smoke etc...) to "this is more fun and I can do so much more (not in an OCD kinda way tho - yet another addictive behaviour).
It is so empowering to have this practice.
Thanks for sharing!

Comment by Norb Logsdon on June 6, 2010 at 6:01pm

I used to gamble too. I learned about my addictive personality in my recovery and now I know there is no winning in gambling for me, just as sure as I know there is no such thing as ONLY ONE drink. I have also been tobacco free for the past 3 years and WILD HORSES cannot drag me back to that slavery!

I have chanted daimoku many many times for the wisdom and courage to overcome my addictions. To me, my additctions are like looking OUTSIDE my life for my happiness. The gosho tells us that is not Nichiren's buddhism, but some inferior teaching.

I hope my experience will encourage anyone who is dealing with their addiction. It can be done! NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO is like the roar of a lion!

Comment by Juliette Contrera on June 6, 2010 at 4:04pm

I would lke to think that I'm addicted to spending money, I cant seem to kep it for long. Do you think this is an addiction? If so I ned to change my financial fortune.

Comment by Kanani on June 6, 2010 at 3:55pm

when we think of our past lives, I can clearly see mine in this life. I have often asked myself, "why does Tula/Maile (my sisters) have the financial fortune and I am stuck with living like the Konkucho bird". Their addiction is family.. although my family (my sons) were my sole reason for continuing this life, when they left home and had lives of their own, I lost something... even chanting didn't fill those holes.. today, with the help of a 12 step program and SGI, the gaps are gone.. I realize that my sisters EARNED their fortune for this life and I must change my behavior (gambling) in order to KEEP the fortune I have...in this life.. k

Comment by Kanani on June 6, 2010 at 3:50pm

I found that the principles of AA go hand in hand with the concepts of Nicherin Daishonin's Buddhism. I can see the 10 worlds in the 12 steps and vice versa.
I have moved on from alcohol and drug addiction to cha ching... casino/gambling.
Have i applied the 12 steps to that? NO.. why? I think that although I don't want to suffer the consequences of my addiction, I don't want to give up the noise and the hoopla that goes with the casino action. I have sat in those places for 2-3 hours thinking, this is boring, I am going to leave, and then someone hits a jackpot ($1,000 or $10,000) and then the fight is on.. the game becomes an obsession... and my fingers cannot stop pushing the button.. all logical thinking is lost and 10 hours and $1000 (or more) have passed and I am broke, writing another hot check that won't get covered for at least another week, but I now need gas to get home..and enough money for cigarettes and, oh yes... food.. I believe that the Gohonzon has protected me enough to get me safely back to my sanctuary and I wait for another opportunity to recoup my losses..

Comment by Norb Logsdon on June 6, 2010 at 11:40am

I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been sober one day at a time for the past 20 years. My practice is night and day different from when I was drinking. Glad to be here.
Norb

Comment by Barbara Walter on June 6, 2010 at 9:46am

Addiction karma is my obstacle to overcome in this lifetime. And whether it is food, alcohol, substances, actions- really all the same. They interfer with my highest life condition.

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