When we're independent, we're aware of our abilities, intelligence and shortcomings and thus know how to deal with them. Otherwise, we have no chance to use our wisdom, so it may become blunted. Hardships and uncomfortable or imperfect situations are just what benefit us most.

You should not think that crossing your legs and meditating is all there is to spiritual practice. No, it's not true! In this way, we cannot utilize our wisdom, which only makes sense when it's being used. Suppose you live in this way: You stay in the mountains and lock yourself up in meditation, which takes you to very high levels and beautiful visions, and then you eat after meditation, and go back again to your high levels. Does this kind of life benefit our society in the physical aspect? No! Does your wisdom benefit anyone? No! It's said that working is also a kind of Zen, and so are eating and sleeping.

Whenever you work, it's your inner Master who works, not your physical body. So, when working, we should be aware and bear in mind that it's our inner Master who works with our hands the whole time. For instance, if we see that there is no water here but there are many people who have to use the bathroom, the inner Master will think of a solution. This place should be enlarged; the grass over there has to be cut, and some more bathrooms and several faucets need to be installed.

You always spoil yourselves, which is why your wisdom doesn't develop. You see, all the enlightened Saints throughout history have trained themselves or have been trained in unfavorable situations before getting enlightened. Even if they did not train themselves on purpose, they would be trained by the situations in their lives in order to become enduring persons.

You may find it hard to believe if I tell you all the hardships I have undergone since I was a child. You've heard that I was born into a well-to-do family and remained wealthy after being married, but these are just a part of my life. For example, people asked me, "Where are you from, Master?" Of course, I answered, "I'm from Au Lac." "What did your parents do?" I said, "They were doctors of Chinese Medicine." Then they asked, "Were you married?" and I said, "Yes." "Any children?" I said, "No." "What did your ex-husband do?" I said, "He was a doctor." Then they ask, "What kind of doctor?" and I said, "He was a dentist and a surgeon as well."

So people assembled these answers and wrote my biography. But the information in it wasn't complete. As for my "real biography," you wouldn't believe it. So it's enough to be like that; otherwise, it could make a big book! Actually, I have suffered much since I was very young, not because of the circumstances, but because I liked to train myself in unfavorable situations. At the time, I did not really feel any pain, but now when I look back, I find them very torturous!

Thus, in unfavorable situations your wisdom lights up, and becomes quiet and thoughtful, then you know what the Truth is. It's your real Self who thinks when you're thinking. And so does your real Self arrange these situations. Why? Because at such times you suffer from your previous karma, which was caused by you. For example, your true Self "arranges" that someone comes to punish you or scold you by creating an unpleasant condition. Actually, this is caused by your own karma. It's arranged in this way by your true Self.

Let's say you physically attacked many people in a previous life. If you're going to be liberated in this lifetime, the previously attacked people will complain in their souls, and you'll know it in your soul. Your true Self knows it by recording the condition with a special machine, which records everything in a fair way so you understand that you should let the previously attacked people seek revenge. That's the way it is. Therefore, you should know it's you scolding yourself when someone else scolds you, and you shouldn't blame anyone else.

Sometimes people come to see me, and look sweet and humble as if they prostrate themselves as soon as they see me. But I still scold them whenever I see them. You don't understand this, but it's OK, because you can't penetrate the subtle karma and ego, or the delicate causes and effects. You only see the superficial instead of the essential. That's why you think these people are good. On the contrary, some of you may look coarse outside, but are very good inside. We come to know about this after we spend some time with them. Have you ever had this kind of experience? (Audience: Yes.) That's what I said.