I have been practising the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin since 1986. The core of the practise is morning and evening chanting meditation. Here is an article that I have found very helpful to provide tips to anyone new to the practise:
HOW TO CHANT HOW TO CHANGE THE CORE OF YOUR LIFE
First of all, before you begin – relax! Clear your head! Clear your heart. But especially your head -your mind. relax emotionally, mentally, physically. It is important to be natural. Secondly~ when you chant, you really need to use your eyes. Focus on Gohonzon, then listen to your voice. Focus on the centre part of the gohonzon (“myoho” – mystical). You have to use your eyes. This is very important When you really use your eyes, your mind stops. When you are busy thinking all the time, your brain sucks energy, which means that your brain is getting stronger (unhealthy), but you your core is not changing, because the energy is not going there. What you have to do is really look at the Gohonzon, and relax.your mind. Gohonzon knows your worries and your desires. Keep everything in your heart -just chant! Then Nam-myoho-renge-kyo comes into tune with the core of your life, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will melt away and dissolve bad karma. It will change into strength, so you can become stronger . emotionally. You should come to enjoy the act of chanting. When you are thinking strategies, you are not changing karma Answer: Positive imagination is good, but not strategies. Positive imagination is good, but if you get to “How to make it happen,” instead of images of it happening, then you are strategizing. Prayer should come from the heart -Gohonzon knows strategies! Keep your desires in your heart and focus on Gohonzon and SIMPLY CHANT. If you can do simple, daimoku and gongyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo gets stronger, goes deeper to expand you; daimoku will dissolve bad karma and generate good -karma. daimoku should come from the heart. If daiinoku comes from the brain, the brain becomes stronger and your life weaker. When you close your eyes or avert them, the power to focus on Gohonzon weakens and the mind plays around. The power to gaze at Gohonzon becomes weaker. Include all five senses. Chant clearly, confidently and comfortably. . We need to keep checking ourselves. We tt:nd to get carried away by force of habit (our old habits); chanting uptight or chanting emotionally. Do not read when you chant, but CHANT! When you read, read. When you chant, chant. After good daimolcu, you may read, or your schedule may require you to get right to work, or do things you need to do. You may have abusy life, but do not have busy daimoku. Do not be busy while you chant -FOCUS! Through good daimoku, you can melt away negative karma.Karma is going to be dissolved. Chanting is the time to cultivate your life, not think about your strategies. Daimoku is the time to enrich your Buddha nature, not the time to have aplanning meeting for your life (or day). In my head: Positive imaginations In my heart: Deep prayer In my mouth: Clear chanting
Via Ted Morinho
http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/mountvernon_ywd/guidance/Change_Core.html
Lawrence O'Connor 