While On The Path

Cooking For Master During The Three-Day Retreat

By Fellow Initiate Vu in Illinois, USA
(Originally in English)

Working for Master is not an easy job, as I had previously thought. Not only is it a duty, but it is also a training field. Being nearer to Master and working for Her attendants is intensive training. I realized fast my weaknesses that I had not known before. I learned that devotion required a lot, lot more than love, diligent practice and obedience. It goes far beyond that. It is a complete selfless sacrifice that should no longer be called sacrifice, but an honorable duty. One would not know for sure if he or she is ready for it until he or she is in that situation, like me. I was a first time cook for Master and the attendants. I love Master so dearly that I thought I would do anything that She assigned me to do, and do my best. But during the three-day retreat, working as a cook, I knew right away what I was not ready.

The first day, I was so busy that the pressure mounted rapidly. Since this was my first time, I did not know ahead of time what to prepare as far as food ingredients and responsibilities are concerned. I was scared of many expectations of the unexpected. I was so nervous that my mind became blank; only my body worked! And hastily without much accomplishment. I thought working for Master we have to be "perfect" because we all love Her so much. That made me feel very ashamed and pitiful. At the end of the first day, as I "managed" to come to Her lecture, my husband who was then Her driver, said to me, "Master told me you are lovely." Heavenly fireworks splashed in my heart. Our most gracious and honorable Master has been listening to me. I tried to control my feelings and rushed to find a place to sit down and I sobbed quietly. All of my pressures and heartaches disappeared. It was as if She said to me, "Don't worry. I understand." That night She spoke to everyone just as if She was speaking to me alone, "If we want to stay in the "royal" circle, we have to have more works and responsibilities."

On the second day, I felt energized, completely happy and ready for more responsibilities. But again as the morning went by, that energy was gradually used up. The more I was in a hurry the more I didn't know what I was doing. Within a few hours, I could only cook one or two dishes and prepare some cut fruit. I was embarrassed at my own incompetence. The sister that cooked with me had no hope for me. She had to ask for another helper that day. About 5 p.m., I went to my room for a short break after cooking was over and only cleaning had to be done. Once or twice regrets came quickly through my mind, that I wished I could be as the other initiates, enjoying all the meditation periods, listening to the sharing of experiences, Master's speeches... and just eat! But then I remembered that Master had said before, when we are hospitalized for an illness, we have to let the doctor treat us. To get cured, we have to go through painful procedures. So I had to go through this test to be better, to learn and to grow.

My husband knocked on the door as I was resting. He said, "Master gave you a gift." My mouth and eyes were wide open. I could not believe what I had heard. Me?? Someone who was no good at cooking, had not enough devotion, low level of practice. I didn't think that I deserved anything, especially a personal gift from a great Master. He went to his room to get it for me. I waited and once more was filled with bliss and joy. He came back a few minutes later with a beautiful black hair pin with little black flowers and butterflies on it, wrapped carefully in golden cloth. I held it and could not say anything but burst into tears. Master was saying to me, "You are okay, my loved one!" I had a dream not long ago, Master let me see Her hair pins, most beautiful, glittering peals and diamond necklaces, and clothes. I liked all of them, but I was allowed to choose only one. Finally I told Her that I wanted the dress.

That night when my husband drove Master in the car, he told Her about my dream. She said "yes", that I was on Her list for the dress. But because She hadn't had enough time, prior to the retreat, to make me one, She gave me the hair piece as a symbol. That night I had one of the most beautiful time of my life. Tears were in my eyes during the entire evening speech as I enjoyed Master in Her light green Arabian dress.

On the third day, I no longer asked for anything. I treasured my time with Master but as needs arose so that I have to serve and help others, I was not reluctant any more. So instead of attending Master's lecture after the cooking assignments were completed, I went to the kitchen to help others bake thousands of cup cakes for the party.

That night, very late, when everyone else went to their rooms to enjoy a good night sleep after a satisfying retreat, I watched Master's attendants. They finally found time to sit down and ate for only the second time of the day, without a word to each other. I was so touched by their complete devotion. They surely did not spend three days like me but years.

The Story Of A Martial Arts Movie-Star

By Fellow Initiate Han in Hong Kong

Many people have commented that I have changed totally; even my appearance and facial features look better. I am delighted. Master has made me into a new person with a different image, and I am very pleased, very happy about it.

I work as a martial arts instructor and actor. It was by an unexpected occasion that I began to work in the field of martial arts. I was originally a student in Shaw's skills training class; my classmates included famous actors like Dilong. Soon afterward, I joined the others in the field of martial arts. Several years later, I became a martial arts instructor. During that time, I occasionally worked on the side as an actor, in such TV series as "Tien Tsan Bien", "The Great Gentleman", "The Shanghai Turmoil". Whenever there was a role which matched my character, I would join the cast to have some fun.

One day, a fellow initiate gave me a copy of Master's sample booklet. One evening, after I read it, I asked my wife during dinner with my family, "Let's try eating vegetarian meals tomorrow. What do you think?" My family were baffled, knowing that I loved to eat meat. After eating several vegetarian meals, I thought that they were delicious. I used to be short-tempered before. After reading Master's booklet, I understood that meat-eating is detrimental to both physical and mental health, so I decided to continue my vegetarian diet.

Besides being a vegetarian, I also attempted to quit smoking and gambling. Actually, I wasn't very hopeful at the time, because I had tried to quit gambling and smoking before, but had never succeeded. But this time, I mustered my courage to try again and quit these bad habits, and I prayed in my heart to Master for help. A miracle happened! Since the day that I became a vegetarian until now, I have not violated these precepts. I felt very gratified and decided to receive initiation.

After initiation, the changes in me were even greater; I felt like a newborn baby starting my life again. I have lived for several decades, but still never understood the meaning of true compassion. As I began my spiritual practice, I became enlightened on how to develop compassion and be caring about others. Not that I didn't have any compassion before, but my concepts and actions were inappropriate. For example before, when I saw that my children lacked something, I would buy it for them right away. But having heard many of Master's lectures, I realized that this was not true love. I belong to a very large family, but communication between my brothers and sisters was poor. Under Master's loving teachings and silent guidance, I begin to get in touch with my family members, to communicate with them, and to find out and understand their situations. I also tried to care more about my friends, to understand them and their families.

My spiritual practice also greatly affected my life as an actor. For example, when I acted as a villain in the cast, I didn't have any problems before. But since I have been a spiritual practitioner, it has become very difficult. The reason is that while acting as a bad guy, I had to feel like one and express the evils in him; it was not just acting on the surface. It was easy for me before to build up those emotions, but now it becomes an agony. Therefore, one year after my initiation, I gave up many opportunities to act in the role of bad guys, often at the expense of major roles in the movies. But I do not regret it; I would rather select the role of a more righteous character even if it is a minor role. To keep my spiritual practice and my work in harmony, I would try my best to negotiate with the director about modifying the script to bring some message of counsel to the audience. Now before every shooting, in order to prevent mistakes, I pray to the Inner Master for help, instead of putting my own ego to work.

After practicing the Quan Yin Method, my impulsive and impatient temperament suddenly changed and calmed down a lot; I have become more tolerant and have more empathy for others. Many people have commented that I have changed totally; even my appearance and facial features look better. I am delighted. Master has made me into a new person with a different image, and I am very pleased, very happy about it. Some people were amazed about my changes and asked me if they were due to my vegetarian diet. I knew within my heart that it was not totally so. The vegetarian diet of course was one of the reasons, but the most important ones which made the sudden changes in me, were listening to Master's teachings, from Her lectures and meditating everyday. The greatest change in me was that now I am able to apply my wisdom in analyzing and judging situations. Unlike before, I used to operate very impulsively and without thinking, which often resulted in my being cheated, or taking actions that were inappropriate and perhaps detrimental to others.

Whilst following Master during the past several years, I have observed that She truly practices what She preaches. She often teaches and does the work Herself in order to set a good example to guide us. There are many instances, for example, before, I never liked to work in the kitchen, thinking that it was a woman's job. But since practicing the Quan Yin Method and listened to Master's teachings, I gradually discovered that cooking in the kitchen was a lot of fun. This I had never experienced because I had never tried it. Now I share half of the housework with my wife, and I enjoy doing the work which I had never wanted to touch before! Master also worked with cement, planted vegetables, moved rocks, etc. I feel that Master was teaching us to work without depending on others; we must experience the work in order to feel adequate.

After my initiation, I truly tasted the feelings of being comfortable and at ease. I am usually quite happy. Once in a while, if I run into something unpleasant, I meditate. Afterward, I forget the incident quickly; better yet, I also find a solution to the problem. I have also learned not to ask for any return from my practice. As long as I remain loyal to Master and faithfully put Her teachings into practice, I will be happier as I progress along the path. Sometimes, when I read other books on spiritual practice, I find that practicing the Quan Yin Method with Master is much more liberal compared with other religions. There are no bindings or complicated things to do, such as burning incense, worshipping deities or reciting scriptures. To practice the Quan Yin Method, we only keep the Five Precepts and meditate two and a half hours a day, and Master never asks for anything in return. To be able to meet Master, follow Her teachings, be enlightened and be liberated in this life is truly my greatest blessing!

Master, You Are The Perfect One

By Fellow Initiate Kagan in New York, USA
(Originally in English)

When I was a child the world appeared dark and chaotic. I didn't know why love seemed to be hiding. Nature was my friend and refuge.

One afternoon when I was very sad a vision appeared by the willow tree; feminine and golden, radiating beams of grace, beauty and love. She told me, "Be strong! Grow yourself up!" I was five years old and She, this gorgeous being made of light, remained my friend and guardian throughout the years.

As a young teenager I composed music, although I was not trained. Writing music tuned me to another plane and brought me my greatest happiness. In my middle twenties I decided to give up music and become a doctor. Something very deep in me, deeper even than my heart, went to sleep, and remained sleeping.

Many years later a patient came to my office who was a disciple of Master Ching Hai. By Master's protection he had an accident and came out of it unharmed. He came to me to take care of any subtle changes that might have occurred from his accident. His energy field seemed different, "lighter" than most people's and when I asked him about it he told me about Master Ching Hai and gave me a video tape. There, on my TV screen, seemed to be the embodiment of this light being who took care of me all my life.

I asked the disciple to teach me to meditate and he taught me the Convenient Method. Three months later Master came to the United States and I received initiation. Seeing Her for the first time, a veil lifted and the Divine Presence was unmistakable.

Six months after initiation, on a silent snowy afternoon, after hours of meditating, something inside me woke up. I sat down at the piano and wrote a song for Master. I heard every word and every note complete, inside me, and it flowed out at me effortlessly.

This was my first song in many years, and now much music comes to me. I sang this song to Master at the party in Chicago after the retreat. I sang it to Master Ching Hai as a prayer from all of us, all Her disciples. It's called "Master, You are the perfect one".