Sensei's Guidance on Getting Good Sleep

Excerpt from the book "Discussions on health" by Daisaku Ikeda:

Ways to get a sound sleep at night

• Establish and maintain a daily rhythm - go to bed at the same time every night and get up at hte same time every morning
• Sit in the sun or take a morning walk
• Take an afternoon nap
• A lukewarm bath can also be helpful in promoting sleep
• Avoid drinking large quantities of caffeine containing beverages like coffee
• Listen to some soft, soothing music

He says, "Sleep is an activity where we fuse our lives with the universe and recharge ourselves with that vast life force. That's why it is important to stay in tune with the rhythm of life and the universe. 

Sleep appears to be a world of stillness and repose. But life itself never rests; it is continually active. We can't expect to be able to sleep soundly without realising the imortance sleep has in our life as a whole. The real secret to healthy sleep is what we do during the day. Has that day been a satisfying and fulfilling one, mentally and physically? In turn, a night's healthy sleep contributes to our healthy activity the following day. As someone said, "Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together."

"Weariness is the best pillow," he quotes Benjamin Franklin

- Discussions on health by Daisaku Ikeda

Thoughts - Health is a topic I am very passionate about, making this work of Sensei very important to me. Guidance on health based on True Buddhism! It has Sensei in conversation with Soka Gakkai's Doctor and Nurses Division members where they discuss about various topics such as obesity, stress, back pain, children's health, heart disease and many more. You can purchase it online at Eternal Ganges. 

Align Personal Goals with Kosen-rufu

Gosho: On Prolonging Life

Kosen-rufu, the widespread propagation of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, is the process by which we enable one person after another to awaken to the priceless jewel of Buddhahood within his or her life by teaching each one to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. A commitment to this lofty goal opens your life to a degree of good fortune and satisfaction that someone bound by purely egotistical concerns could never experience. I am convinced that when you live your life on the basis of a deep desire to contribute to kosen-rufu, you can change any immutable karma, no matter how stubborn it may be. But without a real determination to strive for kosen-rufu, you cannot change it substantially. Juse mouthing your determination has no place in Buddhist practice - you must work to materialize it through your actions adn cherish it in your heart, or ichinen.

When are firmly resolved that, no matter what, you must live to fulfill your mission for kosen-rufu, then you can summon the life-force to conquer illness and prolong your life. In a sense, the least we can do for kosen-rufu is to live long. Moreover, we must be healthy if we are to fulfill our mission. This means that being healthy is our responsibility. We cannot afford to flirt with illness, so to speak. As President Toda once said, we may become ill occasionally, but we should never allow our illness to defeat us in our determination to attain enlightenment and to propagate the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin.

Source: George M Williams, Vice President SGI

The importance of life force

Sensei says, "If you possess strong life force and abundant wisdom, it is possible to enjoy the challenge of overcoming life's hardships much in the same way that waves make surfing exhilarating and steep mountains give mountaineering its appeal. Because the Mystic Law is the source of the life force and wisdom for overcoming life's difficulties, the Daishonin states that there is no greater happiness than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
Thoughts - If one were to silently contemplate the meaning of the word 'life force,' it may sink in slowly how important this attribute is to our happiness. Life force means the force that gives life its vitality and strength. It may also mean health, both physical and mental. When health is not good, life appears meaningless. Food loses its taste, work loses meaning and recreational activities become passive and tiresome. If mentally one does not feel up to the mark, one feels fatigued, uninspired to do anything, from mundane chores to a once - favorite activity.
Thus it is imperative that we activity chant to have great health and life force. Also for wisdom and compassion. Wisdom again can solve a lot many problems that one faces - it allows us to smile, think on our feet, take decisions that are best for our ultimate happiness. Compassion allows us to be kind to ourselves and others and moreover, to chant for people's happiness.

Sensei on Health, Stress & the Importance of Pacing Oneself

Let us study the following excerpt from Sensei's book called Buddhism on Health Pages 71-72, to really be able to proceed forward in great health of mind and body.

Be careful not to push oneself beyond reason

Toyofuku: We see this most often in people who are always trying too hard or who are very sensitive to others' needs and wants. Such types over-respond to their environment.

President Ikeda: They push themselves too hard, running themselves into the ground. There is a difference between earnest effort and overdoing things. If you drive yourself too hard, you won't be able to keep it up for very long. Earnest effort, on the other hand, is characterized by steady progress that accords with reason.

...President Ikeda: In Buddhism, nothing is in vain. Of course, having faith doesn't mean we will never experience stress. In some respects, working for the sake of others is always accompanied by great expenditure of energy, and it may result in deep fatigue. But that is what makes our endeavors so noble. And that is why our lives are strengthened, and grow even healthier....Stress forces us to pay attention to our health. Stress, too, serves as an impetus for growth, for developing our life condition.