By Fellow Initiate Johanna, Munich, Germany (Originally In English)
My very first contact with Master started rather mysteriously. I found a sample booklet, as well as information about Master's visit to Munich in my kitchen; and I could never find out how these things had gotten there. Although I did not know much about living Masters at that time and not even what to think about them, this invitation attracted me so much that I could not help thinking a lot about it and that I was determined to go there. Later I believed that something inside me knew very well what it was all about and probably that I had waited a long time for this chance.
At the time of initiation I had a lot of expectations and no experiences. The only sound I could hear was my pulsating blood. I was very irritated and almost overwhelmed with thoughts like: I was not alright and it hadn't worked on me because I wasn't good enough - well known ideas from my childhood. Very disappointed and near to tears, I told Master my problem. She answered in a very friendly way, "Just be patient!" Encouraged by this, all my doubts melted like ice in the sunshine. It was surprisingly easy to stop eating meat and drinking alcohol. A few years ago I had already tried it on my own and had not been able to do so.
A few days after my initiation, something very special happened. As I was sitting on my balcony enjoying a mild evening in May, all of a sudden I felt that Master was there. A kind of warm quiver kept waving through my body, and I felt very happy and in harmony with the whole world. Later I often had a similar feeling, but not as strong as the first time.
For half a year, I meditated as well as I could. My life improved and I felt happy. I went to the retreats in Hawaii and Chicago, and listened very interestedly and with a little secret jealousy when fellow disciples shared their experiences - until I had my first inner meeting with Master myself.
I saw Her manifestation form lying on a bed and suffering great pain because of an operation She had had. Trying to ease Her suffering, I made Her compresses, served Her tea, and read to Her. The whole scene was flooded with a previously unknown, powerful kind of love, which radiated from Her and filled me. I felt undescribably loved and loving - until my mind dragged me back to earth. Sadly I thought that in reality I could not do anything for Her, because She had so many people around caring about Her that I could not even get close. And then the idea dawned on me that I could give my love to other people who were in need of it, or that I could just let it overflow in my heart. This thought made me very happy.
Now I sometimes remember it and there seems to be something new inside
me - not overflowing but at least "trickling over". And step by step, who
knows, my vision may come true.
Sometimes I am sorry that some people cannot keep on practicing. I am
afraid that many were too disappointed when they did not see heaven right
away. So, I would like to remind them: "Just be patient!"
By Fellow Initiate Lien, Brazil
Since I was young, I have always been dissatisfied with people and their deeds, even my most beloved parents and adored teachers. After being together I was always able to discover, with a acuteness that was natural to me, their areas of imperfection. So, deep inside I have been searching ceaselessly for a perfect figure.
This seeking made the first half of my life a "mess." I have an enviable material circumstance and a small, simple and happy family. But why are there always slight struggles in my heart? It seems like every time I earn and indulge in a sense of contentment, which is both infrequent and short-lived, there seems to be always a disturbing opposing flow deep in my heart telling me: "You are not happy, you are not contented!"
Not until today, many years after coincidentally meeting Master and practicing the Quan Yin Method, am I suddenly enlightened: I have been subconsciously seeking the glorious and blissful life of the golden age that I once lived, and a "living enlightened Master" with the perfect qualities of Truth, virtue and beauty.
In the several years after initiation I lived in another city; and even though I attended group meditations in spite of the many obstacles, I was still practically a passerby savoring the "Quan Yin". On the one hand, I was completely separated from the mundane world, while on the other hand, I had little chance to take part in any work at the Center. I was living a lone, happy and peaceful life in partial retreat.
Not until the past year did I have an opportunity to slowly take part in the holy yet difficult work at the meditation center. I experienced rapid growth through my work, gained experience from selfless service, and trained an unyielding spirit through adverse and difficult situations. And God, Who is most compassionate and wise, never forgets to nurture me, support me with "light and sound" in meditation.
In times of difficulty and despair, I would also pray to Master at the appropriate time, sending out signals for help. In my dreams, the compassionate Master would give me a most perfect gift, holding me in Her embrace. My consciousness knew very clearly, "How can I be so hard hearted as to put my heavy burden on Master's weak body!" So shamefully, I said, "Master, You can't carry me along!" The two of us, Master and disciple, formed a warm and happy scene inside. Master, thank You for Your many unconditional, ceaseless, timely and precious gifts of love!
I have also felt deeply in my dreams that every disciple should bravely bear his own small load, and not throw it all on Master. With the continual spreading of the Quan Yin Method, there will be more and more initiates. Of course, Master can bear this; but it is also very tiring!
Stepping into the new year with no more desires, I am feeling very contented, very happy! But... with still that bit of longing, let the Almighty Power bestows upon me enough courage and wisdom to pass swiftly through the low ebb in every process of learning; and let me become a pure, useful "happy tool," so that I may go home quickly!
By Fellow Initiate Zhi, Hsinchu, Formosa
Requested by a friend, I was invited to accompany investigators of a trade company as a translator. Not that my English was particularly good, but based on previous experience, my friend assured me repeatedly that the local people in the destination country also did not speak very good English. So, only a basic level of English would be sufficient. Without suspecting anything, I prepared my luggage with the idea of going on a vacation. My husband, also a fellow initiate, was worried and shook his head indiscernibly. He kept asking me, "Can you really do it?" I said, "There should be no problem!" He continued, "Have you taken a dictionary?" I replied, "Oh! Do I have to take a dictionary? Alright!"
Upon arrival at CKS Airport, I found out that several members of our group were either totally unfamiliar with or very weak in English besides myself, who was also inadequately equipped in the language. Upon reaching our destination, I was busy negotiating with the Customs Office and the officials about our visas, and filling out documents. Observing that my team mates were sitting idly as if there was nothing to do, I realized that my vacation was only a delusion. From then on, it was my duty to see that this business investigation was accomplished smoothly. (God! Could I do it?)
As soon as I stepped into the hotel room, I immediately took out Master's Buddha chanting tape and played it continuously. Having calmed down, I took out the concise English-Chinese dictionary that my husband insisted I bring. I felt like crying, was regretful, and wanted to go home. However, I realized that this would not help the situation. As a last effort, I simply turned to a page, and then studied and memorized the English words on that page. I was even more diligent than when preparing for the national examination. Each night before I slept, I would meditate and pray to Master for help. My concentration and diligence were unprecedented. Perhaps I really meditated with devotion, or perhaps Master truly pampered me - this stupid disciple, because my translation work progressed from being inept to fluent and my state of mind changed from being pressured to being fearless. When I was frightened facing different people or situations, I would think: How would Master handle the same situation? It was so clear that it was not my competence but Master's blessing, because, very often, the new words that I studied randomly the night before would be useful the next day. This happened repeatedly. However, the words were forgotten after I used them, and could not be remembered again no matter how hard I tried. This resembled using something borrowed, and then returning it to others afterwards. (They did not belong to me. I just borrowed them from Master to handle the urgent situation.)
The business investigation was very laborious. We had to travel in cars between different cities each day, visiting different companies and people. Very often, we did not even have time for meals. Observing the common people working so hard at their jobs, some inner thoughts developed. I casually turned the pages of a News magazine and read Master's aphorisms. One said, "Therefore, sometimes, don't think that your work is hard. People in business work much harder than you do. It is just that the benefits are different. Even for very little benefit, they still work much harder than we do. Our work benefits a lot of people, but we don't work as hard as they do. Therefore, I feel that you do not have anything to complain about." This is true! Other people work so hard and to such an extent, just for that little bit of benefit. Compared to what Master asks of us, to broaden our minds and contribute more to serving others, these are more meaningful. Only through personal experience can we deeply understand Master's sentiments.
Every day upon returning to the hotel, I would play Master's Buddha chanting tape continuously; it had the power to pacify my mind. In addition to that, Master had miraculously arranged for me to bring along the News magazines, which provided me with concrete words of comfort. I read: "Work is also a form of training. It helps us to assess our character, our patience, our talents and the extent of our enlightenment. Therefore, you must not be afraid to work. Being afraid to work is also a kind of phobia. The more we work, the more we will be enlightened." "You have to reprogram your thinking and reorganize your reactions. Otherwise, you have wisdom, you have blessing from Master, you have power to act for success, but you always step back and worry. Because of your habit, you think you cannot do that.
These aphorisms were what I really needed at that time. They were the power that supported me. Consequently, I did not give up, and proceeded to accomplish my mission on this trip. Master knows what we need. At our weakest moment, She always takes care of us, gives us courage, and impels us to carry on striving.
Now, I am sipping my familiar fragrant tea, sitting by the window in my home, idly watching a gurgling stream in the middle of the day. In my heart, I have substantially experienced Master's abundant love and assurance. I deeply realize that, when facing a trying situation, we should not think that we bear it alone and keep Master outside. In fact, She is always with us. She will even walk through it for us when we really cannot bear it any longer. Therefore, simply wholeheartedly leave it to Master; and you will notice that all tests are the manifestation of Master's love.
I truly believe that this tempering test was a lesson arranged for me by Master. From this, I have learned to try not to be afraid of strange things, and have learned to break through my old thinking habits to face my work. Furthermore, the main point of this lesson was not about the training of my English competence. I know this because, after coming back to Formosa, almost all the inspiration in language that I had then has been returned to Master....