Straight as an arrow to my mission
Hi, brr you’re making me cold.
My meeting at the school went very well yesterday because they accepted my resignation. They have employed a local Nigerian instead, which confirms my assessment that there was no will to seriously start a British school, so I’m glad to be out of it. I’m still waiting to be paid, but I have the laptop and school phones so they should turn up at some point to do a swop.
Meanwhile my friends Bob and Stephanie have invited me to stay in their enormous appartment in the US Embassy compound, so I am very safe, and when the school come to pay me they will be escorted up here by the guards!!!!!
We are having fun, Stephanie is writing a book on humanitarian dialogue for the Israelis to use with Palestine among other things, and we are working on an educational project. they are fellow buddhists, and we are setting up the SGI Nigeria study programme, which we’re planning to introduce at the SGI Nigeria AGM in the middle of November in Lagos. So I would like to stay November to see that through. Yesterday we had our study group on the Life of Nichiren Daishonin and I had to try to remember all the dates and place names. I remembered two. I wish everyone well in the UK who is currently working hard on the Study 1 Programme, and let’s give a thought to each others’ groups as we do so, so that we are all in unity.
Studying for this exam a few years ago with members in the UK is one of my most treasured memories, it was so hard remembering Japanese names and laughing together at our pronounciations and inability to memorise dates! Now I’m here it has become one of my most profound strengths, being able to see how Nichiren lived his life, faced difficulties and obstacles and never hesitated or showed any fear. I am battling and doing lots of daimoku to have this lifestate and have victory so that the members here can clearly see the power of the Gohonzon. also would be a good thing to practise strict Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhism, rather than Garki district Abuja Buddhism which is slightly different (and doesn’t bring you to enlightenment).
We have been talking about the real purpose of this practise, which does bring us benefits but really is so we can develop our eternal life force, become enlightened, however you prefer to say it. The benefits come as protection from the universe as a result of our becoming totally in rhythm with the universe, or life itself, through chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to the Gohonzon. Nevertheless, you still must have victory and that means action.
So when they agreed graciously to my resignation, I dried my tears - because it was still traumatic and painful even though it was my decision - and phoned a guy who ran the Leadership newspaper and had asked me to write an article about what it’s like to be a foreigner in Abuja.
We met yesterday morning and he commissioned me to write a column every Sunday for the newspaper which is highly respected here. I can write what I like. I’ve sent some articles to UK papers as well, and if I can make a bit of money that will be good. Otherwise I haven’t decided on my next move, will look at the jobs in January now I’ve got a breathing space.
I’m just off to swim in the pool and do a bit of reading. Best wishes to everyone and really I am interested in your news so please send me an email or post a blog.
Tags: Art, Article, Book, Buddhism, Friend, jill, Leader, Leadership, Mail, money, News, Newspaper, Nigeria, Reading, SGI, Soka, Sun, Work, WritingRelated posts
Tags: Art, Article, Book, Buddhism, Friend, Leader, Leadership, Mail, money, News, Newspaper, Nigeria, Reading, SGI, Soka, Sun, Work, Writing
