Me: (Alexandra): Okay, enough of this prevarication! Where was I?

Universe: We don’t know where you have been, dear one. We’ have been here all the time. We are always “here.”

A: Yes, well… I got lost in Loser Land again.

U: There is no such land. It is a figment of your imagination.

A: Yes, it is. I was going to tell you why I created it, but in the light of your all-embracing wisdom, that doesn’t seem like a good use of my energy.

U: May we gently correct? That would be our all-embracing wisdom. You are part of Us just as We are part of you.

A: So to put myself down, even in private, in my thoughts, is putting you down as well?

U: Just so.

A: Gee… I’ve missed our chats. They realign me.

U: We are glad.

A: Speaking of realignment, I had an amazing experience yesterday!

U: We are listening attentively.

A: Thanks! I was invited to attend an operatic singing competition in a beautiful, spacious, 19th-century Gothic church in the heart of downtown Toronto. Great acoustics. And eight powerful voices. The sounds that a human body can create are astounding. They completely vaporised my lifelong resistance to opera and made me a believer.

Anyway, at a certain point, I shifted my position a little on the cushioned pew on which I was seated. And then I felt every one of my lumbar vertebrae pop into alignment, one after the other. It was incredible! So fast and gentle and easy! It was like DIY chiropractic!

U: DIY? We are not familiar with this branch of chiropractic.

A: It means do it yourself! (chortles) I feel so fortunate!

U: That is good.

A: Yes, it is. I learned all over again how much I can benefit when I lower the wall of my resistance.

And by the way, I’ve noticed that I keep getting messages from you about “rising to the challenge.”

U: You notice these words because they reflect a longing deep inside yourself.

A: Wow. That’s probably right. I recall long ago when I was in deep psychological trouble that I kept hearing the words “S.O.S.” in songs on the radio.

U: Just so. And you were, in fact, saved.

A: I was. Thank you. Even though at the time I didn’t think that was possible.

So this morning, at the Buddhist study meeting I went to, we read:

Not being defeated means having the courage to rise to the challenge.

I especially loved the following words also, because they gave me such a healthy, positive perspective on myself. That I’m not a citizen of Loser Land. That I actually have, according to Daisaku Ikeda, my mentor, dauntless fortitude and invincible spirit!

However many times we’re knocked down, the important thing is that we keep getting up and taking one step—even a half-step—forward. This dauntless fortitude, this invincible spirit, is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism.

U: Just so, dear one. You can rise to the challenge one baby step at a time. It will nourish and please you, and Us, greatly.

Photo by Sebastien Gabriel on Unsplash