Spiritual Interludes
By brother initiate Sunny, San Francisco, U. S. A.


Ever since I began following Master to practice the Quan Yin Method, under Her indiscernible edification, I have noticed some incredible changes in my daily life and social interactions. Everything is going miraculously smoothly. Unknowingly, I have been treating everyone friendly. I have become more willing to share with others and feel more unrestrained in body and mind.

One day, I bought some fresh fruit of varied sizes and states of ripeness from Chinatown. Usually, I would keep the best for myself, and share the rest with other people. Each time I did that, I would feel full of "bliss" and "love".

This time, I changed my habit of first reserving the best fruit for myself, and let others choose first. When the choicest fruit was all picked by others, I was a bit upset and thought, "Why were they so discourteous? They picked precisely the fruit that I wanted to keep for myself!" Most probably this disheartening experience was the retribution for my "conditional sharing" in the past!

My being upset over the lack of understanding and inconsiderate way of others made me think, "These few pieces of fruit costing less than a dollar have imposed on me great attachment and bondage!" I just couldn't figure out the reason! Finally, I got the answer in meditation: What we cling to is not the value of the object, but our die-hard habits accumulated through many lifetimes.

So I decided to change this undesirable habit. On another occasion, I bought two types of peaches and put them together, including a big red one that I loved most. That day I was mentally prepared; even if someone took my favorite peach, I would still be happy, because spiritual practitioners ought to love others as themselves! Surprisingly, the last peach that remained was the favorite one I had already "renounced"! It was like a reward from Master.

Whatever the reason, only when we can renounce will we be willing to give. Only when we are willing to give will we beget. This is an essential lesson that we have to learn in order to forsake the ego. We do not need to worry about not being able to renounce, but should worry instead about not knowing that we have to renounce. We should not worry about not being able to do it, but worry instead about not wanting to do it. Our spiritual cultivation is to practice Master's teachings. When we can truthfully put Master's teachings into action, we are close to Sainthood!

We rarely notice that there are precious truths in insignificant daily-life experiences. It's no wonder the ancient Zen masters said, "Walking, resting, sitting, sleeping; everything is Zen."


Spiritual Interludes

* Be Introspective and Humble!
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