A Glitch in the Matrix...Apologies...

Hello my dear Amida52 friends...

I apologize that the Nudges for weeks 3 and 4 did not post...I scheduled them ahead of time, but just realized today that I did not actually publish them (in order for them to launch)....so...we are back on track...hope you have been enjoying your Amida52 journal.

Take good care...

All the best to you....in peace and gassho,

Diane

Nudge - Week 4 - Amida's Light

Nudge - Week 4

Amida's Light

The Light of Amida Buddha is infinite because there is nowhere it does not reach and nothing that it does not penetrate, including the darkest depths of our minds and hearts. This light illuminates the nature of the world and helps us recognize the extent of our profound attachment to our own egos and to the real gulf that, in so many ways, separates us from the Buddha. This light also serves to ferry us safely over the stormy waters of our imperfect existence and to purify us of all the defilements that would ordinarily bar our entry into Nirvana.

From the website Muryoko: Journal of Shin Buddhism http://www.nembutsu.info/primshin.htm by Revs. John Paraskevopoulos and George Gatenby. 

“Although my eyes, blinded by passions, do not see the brilliant light which embraces me, the Great Compassion never tires, always casting its light upon me.”  Shinran Shonin

Let this week's journal page reflect the idea of Amida's Infinite light.

You could use color, an image or words to describe your feelings.

What comes to mind when you think about Amida's infinite light?

Take some time this week an to reflect and create your journal page of Light!

Namo Amida Butsu...

Jishin

Nudge - Week 3 - A white lotus among people

Nudge - Week 3

Know that the person who says the nembutsu is a white lotus among people.

With these words the Tathagata likens the persons of the nembutsu to the white lotus, the flower praised as the best among best flowers, the excellent flower, the wondrous excellent flower, the rare flower, the very finest flower. Master Shan-tao of Kuang-ming temple interprets this to be praise of the person of the nembutsu as the best among the best, the excellent person, the wondrous excellent person, the truly rare person, the very finest person.

~Taken from the Collected Works of Shinran, Commentaries, Notes on Once-Calling and Many-Calling 

Here are a few examples to help you

draw your own lotus flower:

I have always been very fond of the lotus flower as a sign of enlightenment.  A beautiful flower, with its roots in the mud, springing forth through the muck yet remaining untouched and pristine to reach the light. You and I have our feet in the mud of life, and yet the Dharma can spring up within us, unaffected by our suffering and show us the way into the light of Amida's compassion.

This week, let your journal page reflect your thoughts on the white lotus.  Reflect on your Nembutsu journey!

Namo Amida Butsu

Jishin

Let's Get Started - Week 1

Week 1

The Dharma-water runs under the rocks;  

Keep digging down and get the water from the depths.

If you really know the inconceivable power of the Vow,

Anjin comes to you even though you do not seek it.     ~ Rev. Zuiken Inagaki

Let's get started

You may have heard the art term "altered book".  It is simply taking an old, discarded book and transforming it into a journal or a work of art by altering the pages in an artistic fashion.

I suggest that you think out of the box and use the "altered book" method to create your Amida52 art journal.

First steps:

• Find a used or discarded book (8.5 x 11 inches) with at least 250 pages.  I have found great books to alter at Goodwill, used book stores (sometimes they have free books that have torn pages,etc..perfect for this project).  A hard back book works best.  Pages with thicker paper are good, too.  Remember you will be altering this book completely.  Gluing, painting, and/or writing on the pages.  You will make it YOUR book with each passing week.  
• Now, here comes a step that may feel difficult or even "wrong" to do.  Do not worry, you are creating a new book and giving life to this old, discarded book.  Remove (tear out for a artsy affect) or cut out with a straight blade every 3-4 pages of the book until you have 52 pages remaining.  (Look and see how many pages your book contains and divide by 52 weeks).  If you would like to have a 2 page spread for each week then make sure your book has at least 450 pages and remove every 3-4 pages).  I am sure you can do the math!

Some supplies to have on hand:

• glue
• tape
• scissors
• x-acto knife
• ruler or a straight edge of some sort
• old magazines
• water color paints
• color markers
• crayons
• pencils
• pens
• modge podge Make your own modge podge
• any and all scrapbooking materials (though I must warn you, this can be addictive and expensive)

If you can't bring yourself to alter an old book then you will need:

• A blank notebook with a minimum of 52 pages (1 page per week for a year)

Here are some examples of an altered book:

These pages have been painted and decorated.

Images have been cut and pasted onto the pages.

Use your imagination.

This first week's "nudge" is to decorate the front and back of your Amida52 art journal.  You might paint the book cover with paint, let it dry and attach images or words that will inspire you to return again and again to your journal.  Maybe you will cover the book with patterned paper.  Maybe it will be just a color, maybe one image, maybe a whole series of images...it is your choice...this is a process.  

Living a life in the Nembutsu is a process.  It is the process of you and I waking up and being aware of Amida's light shining always.  Compassion is at work....wisdom is at work...now, let us work on reflecting the light and shine!

Have fun...

Namu Amida Butsu
Jishin

Nudge - Week 2

Nudge - Week 2

Amida has prepared everything for you; His Vows, his Name and his Pure Land --They are all meant for you. Leave everything to Amida without the slightest doubt, Like a baby nestling in the mother's arms,Then you become free of all worries and anxieties.You are still a bombu but have no calculations any longer.  

~ from Zuiken's Hyms of Faith

I have found great inspiration from Zuiken's writings. I especially enjoy the imagery in this particular piece.

This is page 1 of your art journal.  Now we begin. 

This week you will focus on the feeling of being grasped by Amida. How does that make you feel?  What words come to mind?

Here is a very simple technique to artfully add words or a sentence into your journal.

A simple set of lines is the starting place.  If you are a perfectionist, get out the straight edge....if you are willing to be whimsical...free-hand the lines..either way have fun.

I found a few images that I cut out and placed on the page, too.  I felt like the little mermaid, gently treading water while grasping Amida's hand.  What does being grasped by Amida mean to you?

Here is my journal page for Week 2:

I think I will add more to the bottom of the page...but I am waiting to see what the rest of week 2 brings to inspire me.  I will come back to my week 2 "nudge", re-read the inspiring words and see what else ends up on my journal page.

Namu Amida Butsu

Jishin

Welcome to Amida52...A Guided Art Journal Project for A Year of Your Nembutsu Life!

Welcome to Amida52

A Guided Art Journal Project for 

A Year of Your Nembutsu Life

This project was born from an art class that I recently found.  Through a weekly blog entry, I will give you a nudge, some inspirational quotes, pictures and a few examples of how you can easily create an art journal that will help you creatively capture a year in your life and how you reflect on the Nembutsu.

What does it mean to you to live in the Nembutsu?  Is it always a bed of roses? No, of course not.  Is it always full of suffering? Not if we can help it.  Is it a life full of gratitude? Absolutely. 

By working together you and I can create a weekly journal entry for ourselves that will capture our thoughts and feelings as Shin Buddhists.

What to look forward to:

• Creating a Journal

Your weekly journal page could simply be a word written on a blank page, a picture cut out and glued onto a blank page, or a detailed drawing or story that captures your feelings for the week.

This is meant to be a fun and creative project.  Have fun, get creative, feel like a kid and get out your crayons and glue...make this a fun project for the whole family.  You could even make a family journal and have each member contribute a little item to be added to the journal page.

• Little to No Cost

The Amida52 art journal project will not cost a lot to create.  Recycle, reduce, and reuse!  Make, find or buy a journal to your liking.  You will ultimately make 52 pages for your journal.  At the end of this year long journey, you will have an incredible book about YOU! Even more importantly you will have a book that captures your thoughts and feeling about your life in the Nembutsu.  A life well lived in gratitude and compassion.

• No Artistic Ability Required

Your Amida52 art journal will reflect your feelings and thoughts on life as a Shin Buddhist.  You might choose to write a few words. You may choose to draw a little picture.  You may find a picture in the newspaper or a magazine, cut it out and paste it in your journal.  This is not about artist excellence...this is about just being free to express your feelings ANYWAY YOU WISH! Enjoy this freedom..be creative.

• Weekly Ideas
  

I will create a weekly "nudge" that will inspire your creative juices!  Each week I will post an inspirational quote, a picture of my own journal page for the week, and share ideas as to how you might create your journal page.  There are no rules.  There is no "right" way or "wrong" way to do this.  It is simply a journey in reflecting on the path we both have in common: Shin Buddhism.

• Share with Others

Though this particular project has a focus on Shin Buddhism, the idea can be replicated for any spiritual path that one embraces.  If you find this process helpful, pass the word along.  Have your friends and family subscribe to this blog and share in the creative process together.

If you like, you can post a picture of your journal page here on the blog.  Inspire others to do the same!

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Let us inspire each other to push through the difficult times, remember the daily joys and embrace the compassion and wisdom in our lives!

Namu Amida Butsu!

Diane Jishin Johnson