How to Build Momentum in Your Life Combining the Mathematical Formula with the Power of Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Harnessing the wisdom of the sages
First, let’s consider the concept of the transfer and conservation of momentum. Momentum is basically “mass in motion”. An everyday example is the hitting of a baseball with a mass of .14 kg which is pitched at a batter with an initial velocity of -38 meters/second. (It is negative going towards the bat.) When the batter applies an average force that is much greater than the weight of the ball, the ball departs from the bat with a final velocity of +58 m/s. Depending on the trajectory — you have excited the fans in the stadium with a home run. This is momentum. There is a psychological component that is also generated in terms of “success breeding success.” Have you ever felt like you were on a winning streak and no matter what you do next, you know the outcome will be good? The more successful we are, the more likely we are to continue the experience.
Getting back to physics, the equation Momentum=Mass x Velocity is a mathematical idea. Don’t freak out, I’m not asking you to get out your calculators right now. So, for the sake of understanding, I’m going to quickly explain how I propose to use this concept.
The equation means that Momentum — the amount of motion an object has while moving – can be determined by multiplying the Mass of an object by its Velocity. It basically means how much stuff is moving and how fast the stuff is moving in units of kg x meters/second.
So, what does this have to do with chanting? Scientists have begun to find ways to measure the activity of thoughts and now we know that thoughts have Mass. (heavy huh!) We all produce magnetic wavelengths, from Delta to Theta. The latest Magneto-Encelphalography (or MEG) and Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (Squids) register the mass of brain activity as it is broadcast out into the environment.
For our purposes, Velocity defines the rate at which something changes position through time — meaning, “How often does it happen?” and in our case, “How often does one think this thought?”
If we re-write this equation as —
The directional Momentum in Life = Thoughts (mass) x the number of times one thinks these thoughts (Velocity)
— we begin to see the significance of this relationship.
This is how we can change or add momentum to whatever we are seeking to create in our lives. Would you like to create the desired changes in your life at the speed of a 90-mile per hour fastball or a little underhand toss?
Examining this issue a little deeper, mantras repeated (Velocity) all day long half-heartedly, or without clear intentions (Mass) behind them, won’t produce the Momentum (results) we are looking for. We learn through experiments that if we add the intention of having the same mind as Nichiren, the Buddha — we are fine-tuning this Mass consisting of our thoughts and desires by attaching it to our higher purpose. We are charging this ritual with the whole power of our Buddha consciousness. We are in essence, hitching our star to the Buddha’s life condition.
We also begin to understand why people do “Daimoku campaigns” — such as chanting a million daimoku (Nam Myoho Renge Kyo)— about specific problems and how they can experience breakthroughs with this practice.
In Buddhist thought, we understand that our lives are a constant struggle between our fundamental darkness and our positive enlightened qualities. From moment to moment, each vie for a position of dominance within us. Keep in mind that even a 60/40 proposition is a win. It means if we are maintaining a positive outlook even 60 percent of the time, we can generate an upward spiral of momentum— which is then easier to maintain. This is where the power of the “success breeds success” psychology comes into play. The next time we chant about something, we have greater confidence that we can manifest this desired change.
With practice, we can use this knowledge to consciously chant with clear intentions having the same mind as our mentor. The result is a transformation — what’s called “human revolution”. We increasingly manifest a happier and more fulfilling life for ourselves, while assisting others to do the same.
It’s a mathematical certainty. And we also have the guarantee of Nichiren himself. In the passage from the Gosho On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime:
“If you chant Myoho-renge-kyo with deep faith in this principle, you are certain to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. That is why the sutra states, “After I have passed into extinction, [one] should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt will attain the Buddha way. Never doubt in the slightest.” Pg. 5, the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 1.
Keep the faith.
