SGI Members Testmonial -Great Victory by Madhavi Anshumali My name is Madhavi Anshumali. Last year I was still reeling under the aftershocks of the earthquake that shook my life after I lost my mother and husband in quick succession following which I broke my hand and was incapacitated for about three months. Today I stand before you to share with you my journey from May 3, 2006 to May 3, 2007 – a milestone that stands only due to the power of this wonderful practice. There were a whole lot of day-to-day challenges that desperately needed attention but with a life-state that had hit rock bottom, and the reality of no family back up, I felt alone and disconnected. I began withdrawing – from relatives, even friends, and shunned anybody who wanted to help in any way. Everything seemed so superficial and artificial. The internal turmoil – what we call human revolution, that I went through was intense and so solitary. But throwing myself into faith, practice and study, with an earnestness to participate in activities, I learnt the humility of dependency and the true value of friends. My role had indeed changed from being the partner of the house to being the one and only 24x7 omnipresent fire fighter!. I was so busy running around, with inside and outside chores, a never-ending to do list and driving 50 kms a day to my daughters school, that I had no time to relax – but my daily prayers and practice gave me the strength to stretch myself beyond my capacity. Going from pillar to post to encash my husbands insurance policy, to make out a pension account and to get a succession certificate, I came face to face with the cancerous spread of corruption. With no one to count on , I turned to my one and only weapon of faith to achieve the impossible task of getting these documents without any bribe. Having been a Human Resources professional in the corporate world four years back, I had given up my job to attend to my ailing parents and my baby. And now being a single parent, I had consciously decided not to work fulltime so that I could be there for my daughter as she grew up. Deeply concerned about my fast depleting savings, I had absolutely no idea what kind of work to look for. I took guidance from a senior leader to help me focus correctly. I was told in addition to chanting and studying the Gosho, I should concentrate on home visits, the quality of the monthly discussion meetings, and the growth of my Block . Encouraging my members during my home visits, and chanting as though showering my colony with daimoku I prayed for more members to appear. Slowly new members emerged and my old members started blossoming in faith – their involvement in the monthly discussion meetings grew, experiences began flowing in, concepts became more involved and the future division members too began participating - stirring the meeting with their singing …a beginning had been made. Simultaneously work opportunities began trickling in from areas that were of interest to me - freelancing, flexi-time opportunities. January 2007 dawned – this was the year of advancement and victory as declared by Sensei. I made a quiet determination to the Gohonzon - this year had to be different! I needed to get the right kind of work that would give me regular income, stability of work and security for my child. With the Area General Meeting of February 4th around the corner – I motivated my members to participate in the cultural show, and energetically, ferried them to and fro the practice sessions from NOIDA. It was very refreshing to be also participating along with my little one. Soon after the euphoria of the meeting settled – I developed a gynecological problem which seemed to be going out of control. Feeling very alone and insecure, I turned to the Gohonzon letting loose my tears and frustrations of this new challenge. Nam Myoho renge kyo is like the roar of a lion what sickness can then be an obstacle! The doctor said under a normal situation the symptoms would have called for a major surgery, however keeping my circumstances in mind - tests were prescribed which revealed that I had hypothyroidism. I met with the endocrinologist and started my treatment. And then out of the blue, in the month of March I got a call from a consultant for an Human Resource work opportunity with an international school. I didnt know whether to show an interest or not, being skeptical about a fulltime opportunity, my daughter, and my latest medical problem. I prayed for wisdom to be able to take the right decision and to explore further without being closed to any opportunity. I sent my papers to them, with absolutely no expectations. I received a call from the HR director, who mystically turned out to be my colleague ten years back! Sharing with me details of the job profile, she spent over an hour talking to me and assuring me that it was the best environment for any child to be educated. Gohonzon - only if it is good for me for kosen-rufu, should it work out - was my earnest prayer, as I continued my activities. Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, which never fails to turn into spring are the words in the Gosho. I was called for the interview on the 16th of April and just last week they sent me the job offer - which includes a monthly salary, a fully-maintained house, healthy support system in terms of medical facilities and security, and most of all - free education for my daughter. I am happy to report that having accepted their offer, we shall be moving to Mussorie to join them on 15 th of June. Life is always going to present to us problems of varying intensities - and each of us has to fight our very own battles. To have a guiding philosophy that anchors us, keeps us from drifting away is finally what counts. Its been one year and nine months since my husband left us. One part of me says is it already that long?? Another part of me says its been only that long?? ….I feel Ive come a long way. Yes, there are times when suddenly without reason I find myself missing him terribly, it comes like a deluge, soaking me from head to toe. And then the sun comes out again …and with my daughter firmly holding my hand - we continue walking on this journey called life. With deepest gratitude in my heart to Sensei for giving us this wonderful practice I, Madhavi Anshumali today dedicate my life to kosen-rufu and determine to share the greatness of this philosophy with as many people as possible and help them actualize a stand alone spirit
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:12:36 +0000
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