1. Volume One
2. Volume Two
3. Volume Three
4. The Truth Within
5. On Securing Peace
6. New Year's
7. For Women
8. Quantum Life Practitioners
9. Letter to Mom
10. On sharing epiphany
11. For relationships
12. On persecutions and commitment
13. On Revelations of The Path
14. The Key to Joy
15. The Buddha Mind
16. The Universal Truth is the timeless Entity of Life
17. The World shakes in all ten directions
18. Exigency in Dedication to the Truth

Guidance for relationships

December 8th, 2005

I greatly appreciate your experiences and your diligence.

Remember that it requires a seeking mind to discover realities within one's self that are plane to see by others. Do not try to use your mind to convince others. It must come from their spirit. Our task is to understand people's nature. And to be compassionate within the capabilities of their nature. Helen is a great teacher, and it is wonderful that you realize this with your mind. You must now realize it with your heart. It will bring sadness, and she may need to see it. You have given her much more to think about and live with than any other in her life. You must have compassion for her bewilderment. Meditate on her happiness and let it take what ever course her karma dictates. Just be concerned for her protection. The best way to teach is by example. Just focus on yourself and her protection and I am sure you will have joy and tremendous opportunity to further your enlightenment.

I am going to design meditative spaces and altars. Probably a money making venture if possible. I look forward to our reunion.

Love and Respect

Sylvain Chamberland
Sifu, Nichiren Buddhist Priest
Threefold Lotus Kwoon
http://threefoldlotus.com

BACKGROUND

Once again the Reverend communicates the compassion and self-respect in the care necessary to communicate personal epiphany with others through language. This is one of several letters between Rev. Sylvain and James Todaro during James' four-month travels to Central America. This letter was written in response to the included letter below.

Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 11:42 AM
Subject: Maryland in the spring
Sifu...Its funny how things work out sometimes. I am finding that Helen is teaching me many lessons. Most of all how to deal with revulsion and frustration. She is full of negative emotions and it seems that she doesn't seem to care about changing her attitude. I understand that her perspective arises from the causes and conditions of her past which have taken her to this point in her life, but I feel like I cant provide the necessary instruction that she needs, as I myself have much to deal with in that regard. I don't discount the importance of these lessons and I am thankful that I am getting stronger as a result of my confrontations with them. Helen has read the writings which I have and I think she gets it a little, but as you said and know very well it will be a long time before the seeds we plant take root. She is still very much a child and until she goes through the necessary experiences that bring about certain changes in perspective. She still longs for the life of drinking in the pub with her friends and being irresponsible, and as much as I can understand that and sympathize as I myself spent all of my 20´s doing that, it is time for me to move on to something more significant. This is something that has taken me a very long time to evolve to. I had been feeling a certain dissatisfaction with the direction of my life and started looking for something more substantial in order to fill a certain void, this is when we began discussing the sanctuary and it has become clear to me the direction that my life will take. Before that all happened however this trip to central America had all been organized and I feel like its my responsibility to follow this thing through and help Helen as much as I can, however I don't envision her wanting to participate in the realization of this grand project, as she unfortunately feels it is something that is outside her. It worries me that I am not able to instruct her properly as I am myself going through so much learning right now, and as I am able to do a fair bit of self instruction because I have a broad base of knowledge and intellect to draw from she does not. I only hope that I do not do any serious damage before this little adventure concludes. I feel that she may want to progress as fast as me but does not understand the mechanics of what she is doing. But all negativity aside, I have faith that this trip will produce many beautiful blossoms and that it will help Helen to develop a better sense of herself which is something that is grossly absent. Thanks for your advice and understanding.
The idea in DC intrigues me, however I was thinking about something a little more rural, as the city life is everything I am trying to move from. Cities represent the filth and poverty of spirit that our society has come to espouse. I would like to try to build something of a natural city like environment in our sanctuary. Perhaps when I return however you might make the trip out to Maryland rather, and we can do some scouting around. I'm sure if we put our minds to it there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Be well and remain positive. You are constantly in my thoughts, as I am continually sending positive karma your way.
Much love and respect
James