My Religious Experience:

I remember the day very well--October 6, only four months ago. It was a Monday, 7:30 in the morning. Those details are unforgettable because that day was the beginning of another dramatic proof of the power of chanting and prayer.

Five months earlier, in May, I had accepted a job transfer to Sacramento, It was a mistake and I chanted passionately for a resolution to the problem. Then a miracle happened--the position I had left in Los Angeles had never been filled and it was offered to me again. I accepted. But there was one important stipulation: I must be there by December 8th.

Now there was a new and major problem in my life. I had brought property in Sacramento. Could I possibly sell the house and move to Los Angeles within sixty days? The prospects did not look good; the odds all seemed against me. There was a glut of houses on the Sacramento real estate market. Further, the year-end holidays were just around the corner and property simply wasn't moving at that time of year. And, to make the situation look even darker, property prices had fallen. Everything seemed dismal and hopeless.

But on that Monday as I drove to work, the strong conviction came to me that I had done all I could. The solution to the problem of selling my house was beyond my control and responsibility. The solution must come from a higher source and that source could be tapped by chanting.

I took the next day off from work and from early in the morning until the afternoon, I chanted constantly. I also telephoned Reverend Kanai. "Chant," he said, "And I will pray. Chant and think positive. Do not worry. I will take care of the rest."

Relief swept over me. Anxiety and worry vanished.

Four days later, when I returned from Saturday grocery shopping, there was a message on the answering machine. While I had been out, a Realtor had unexpectedly dropped by with a client. The client liked the property. And an offer was being written that very moment.

I dropped the groceries and rushed to chant an Odaimoku of thanks. Then I phoned Reverend Kanai with the amazing news. He was pleased and happy. "Do not forget the wonderful power of prayer and chanting," he said.

I know. I've experienced it.

by K.M.

Lotus #21

March, 1998