Our practice … is larger, much larger, and more significant than we appreciate as we recite the sutra. We are no small speck of life in an infinite universe. We are grand and noble beings whose thoughts, voice, and actions reverberate across the cosmos, witnessed by all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. These actions are witnessed and heard by every deity, every protective force, and even Mara King Devil. Our voice vibrates endlessly far beyond the space in which we are chanting, far beyond the walls surrounding us, far beyond the building, and even further still beyond our solar system.

When we can begin to shift our self-awareness to the grandeur of our actions as connected with and expressed toward the Lotus Sutra, then our lives begin to shift and expand. It is as if you sometimes feel like your physical body is not large enough. At times I’ve almost felt like I might explode.

Recent scientific studies exploring the effect of the mind’s thoughts on the actions being performed at the time have shown that when the mind thinks an activity is exercise and not simply work or chores, then the body burns more calories and muscles actually gain strength more so than if we hold in our mind thoughts of chores or tedium. Walking to the bathroom, an action we may do mindlessly, when thought of as walking exercise burns more calories than mindlessly walking to relieve one’s bladder. These are small things, yet show how powerful the mind is and how important framing our thoughts can be.