When chanting, what thoughts might be going through your head?
I have a wide variety of thoughts that go through my head during chanting.
Since I am a new minister and new at being the chanting leader, I worry that I might do something wrong to mislead the Sangha. I try hard to focus on being accurate in the process— ringing the bell at the right time, pitch, tempo, saying the correct words, breathing properly, to list just a few.
Yet, I am human and my mind can wander. I too struggle with awkward thoughts like “Is my stomach grumbling?” “What did Joy bake for us today?” “How is my fantasy football team doing?”
I am not perfect nor can I focus like the Buddha can so this will happen often.
But that changes as we get into the flow of chanting. I become more receptive to the chanting rather than being the instigator. I try not to intellectualize chanting, trying to understand its meaning.
I am fortunate to sit in the naijin where I hear the collective voices of the Sangha. It is moving to hear everyone chanting together as it resonates deeply in my body. I wish you could hear what I hear.
When we can let go and become part of the flow of chanting collectively with each other, there is a sense of shift in the center of chanting from our minds—wondering if I am doing it correctly—to the heart and, ultimately, into our collective selves.
As I hear you all I can pick out your individual voices. By blending our voices, we are not losing our individuality. Our individuality enriches the sound of the group, the group is greater than the sum of its parts. Yet each voice carries the imprint of your personality and experiences.
Then reality hits, and I need to remind myself to be sure to end the sutra chanting correctly!
Gassho, Rev. Todd