SGI-USA Houston

By Kashia Rector.

I honestly had no idea what to expect as 2007 drew to a close and 2008 became the new focus. This was The Year of Capable People and Development. January 1, 2008 marked the third year of my Buddhist practice and where I have definitely experienced several benefits both inconspicuous and conspicuous, I came to a point in my practice where I wanted to have unshakeable faith. The newness of my practice began to wear off and now I wanted to achieve various goals that I had set for myself. These goals included getting a great job that was in the field of consulting, moving out and being able to support myself financially, and in 2010 enter into graduate school.

The beginning of the latest chapter of my Human Revolution began during the month of February 2008 and ends in February of 2009. I was working at a Super Target in an intern/managerial role. I already aced all of my interviews and as soon as I was ready I would be shipped off to a store and working full time in the department of my choice. However, I couldn’t help but notice that I wasn’t really excited about this, nor did it seem like what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After much thought on the issue, I concluded that I wanted to be a consultant because I love to dialogue, and help people find viable solutions to problems they face. I figured that I could stay at Target until I found an opening at a consulting firm and work my way up the ladder.

But, as most of you may know, plans and reality are two totally different things, one not guaranteeing the outcome of the other. One day while I was at work, my store manager called me into his office and told me he needed to have a serious talk with me. I had no idea what this could be about, as I had no indication that there were any issues with my performance. He then informed me that my position had been terminated and that they could no longer afford to pay my salary. I tried to hold back my tears but failed as I had no idea why this was happening to me. He was kind enough to let me stay until the end of February but after that I was on my own.

February came and went as the months tend to do, and I still had no prospective leads for employment. I saved up some money while working as is a habit of mine, so I was able to pay my bills but knew the money would run out eventually. At the end of March I landed a job working for the University of Phoenix. I was an Enrollment Counselor and was charged with enrolling students into various programs this university offered. After about three weeks on this job my birthday was approaching so my colleagues decided to throw a surprise potluck lunch to celebrate. I honestly thought it was a nice gesture, but, my stomach had its own opinion. I got food poisoning from something I ate there causing me to miss one and half days of work. I tried my best not to be swayed as this job was starting to take a physical toll on me. During the first week of May I contracted a bug that was going around the office and had to stay home to recuperate. On Thursday of that week shortly after I called in to work still feeling ill, I received a call from my recruiter of the employment agency that got me this job. She informed me that I sounded ill but, I was being fired for missing too many days.

During this most difficult time I received lots of encouragement and guidance from my Youth Leaders, many Women’s Division members as well as my comrades in faith. They encouraged me to never give up, chant to really understand my work karma, and change this poison into medicine.

Since I had so much time on my hands I decided to take action. I registered with five different staffing agencies and interviewed for various positions that each firm offered. I also researched a few opportunities that members told me about as I knew they wanted to see me win over this obstacle. I started to immerse myself in Gakkai activities for world peace, going to meetings and being active with my Jr./Sr. High members. I was also encouraged to study to understand why I’m going through this specific type of struggle. I also started chanting more daimoku to deepen my understanding.

During the middle of June I recall having a conversation with my Mom about how frustrated I was that I was doing all of these things but, I couldn’t land a job. She made the suggestion that I file for unemployment benefits until I was able to find another job. I did, and even though I had serious obstacles to complete the process, I was able to receive unemployment benefits.

Even though the benefits weren’t a whole lot I was able to pay my bills and get myself the things I needed. I know that this is largely due to the monthly monetary contributions I made to the SGI during this time. Sometimes it would be only a dollar or two. But, I distinctly remember many Women’s Division members telling me that in order to change your financial karma you should contribute as much as you can monthly. By making sincere offerings to the SGI, you will most definitely see a change in that part of your karma.

At the end of August, my good friend Brittane told me of a position that she knew was available. The position was with a Trustee who sits on the board at Houston Community College, is a Program Advisor on multiple levels, owns her own communications and consulting companies, works closely with Metro, and is active and supportive in the Hispanic community. I interviewed with her at the beginning of September and waited to hear back from her.

While I waited, I chanted for wisdom because while I was appreciative to be receiving the unemployment benefits, I needed more money to do more things and to buy Christmas gifts. I chanted for an opportunity to reveal itself that would allow me to do these things. Right after Hurricane Ike swept through the Gulf I went to work for an Aunt who works in landscape architecture. She needed me to run a small catering operation for her men for a period of two weeks. This was just the opportunity I needed! Now, I’ve never done this type of work before but I knew I could complete this project. Little did I know that this would be the start of several projects that I would take part during this five month period. Other projects that I worked on included fashion consulting (which I love) and managing the office operations of a small business owner. I was able to buy everyone on my list a gift for Christmas.

As I managed these various projects and saw positive results, I picked up a book that I can honestly say changed my life. It’s called Commentaries on Buddhahood: On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime. This book really opened my eyes and helped me to find the answer of how to deepen and strengthen my faith. During this whole experience I wanted to develop that unshakable faith that I’ve heard several members speak of. To some degree I doubted myself and my ability to deepen and strengthen my faith. But, after reading this quote my perspective changed. It reads: “For example, the Mystic Law is revealed in human life as courage, perseverance, wisdom with which to break through obstacles, and compassion for others. These various powers–described as the attributes of the Buddha’s life–immediately come forth from within. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with confidence in its existence, this mystic truth and, with it, the condition of Buddhahood will appear.” (Commentaries on Buddhahood: On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime pg. 14) After reading this I realized what it was I was missing in order to obtain this kind of unshakable faith. Confidence + Courage = Faith. Faith equals daily life. The more confidence and courage that I have in my practice this reflects the depth and strength of my faith. The only way to get this confidence and courage is by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction. By living each moment, knowing, my life is an entity of the mystic law; that “Myoho-renge-kyo is my life itself”.

While I was discovering what the deepening and strengthening of faith entailed, I found myself chanting from a totally different perspective. The perspective of persevering based on faith. I noticed more confidence and courage in my life, and as a result felt like I could take on the world. At the beginning of December, Brittane called and told me the Trustee I interviewed with in September would be looking to hire me at the beginning of the year if her last few contracts were approved. I chanted for them to be approved as I knew this would be an opportunity of a lifetime to gain experience in my field of interest.

I later found out that the Trustee’s contracts were approved and that she wanted me to sit in on a meeting and discuss the final details of my employment. After the meeting we discussed the details and I must say that I got everything that I chanted for. All of the detailed goals that I wrote down and placed on my alter were met, the specific salary range, the kind of work I would be doing, the location of the job, the kind of people I wanted to be surrounded with, and being involved with the community. I started this new job as a Project Assistant on February 23, 2009! This first week of work has proven to be extremely gratifying. I was able to participate in a series of meetings in relation to procuring new contracts, setting up consultations with existing clients, and sitting in on my first board meeting. As I reflect on the work week, I realize that at my new job I am utilizing various skills I learned in college, and from the projects I completed during my time of unemployment. Like all of the opportunities I’ve had up until this point prepared me for this job. Mystic huh? I also look forward to learning more about the world of consulting and what it has to offer. One quote by my mentor SGI President Daisaku Ikeda that has touched my heart during this challenge states: “Youth should not seek an easy comfortable path. No one develops in a pampered environment. Youth should instead actively seek out challenges and hardships, transforming them all into valuable assets as they strive to become individuals of outstanding character and ability.” (For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement pg.33)

February had another significant date for me as it was the last month that I had to pay my car note! So now with my car paid off, new job, and a new cell phone, the next big goal I’m working on is finding the right apartment for me. In hindsight I can say that this lesson in deepening my faith came at the perfect moment, a time when I needed it most, as we all know nothing is ever wasted in Buddhism. I look forward to advancing and winning!