As I drove through northern Florida and my car got closer to the Center, I began to recognize certain landmarks. Marveling at how the Center's holy atmosphere could permeate even the surrounding lands, I witnessed exquisitely ethereal late afternoon sunlight falling across neighboring trees and farmland. And as I pulled into the Center's gates, the familiar faces of Quan Yin brothers and sisters brought joy to my heart. After parking my car and setting up my tent, I walked to the main area and found myself gazing in wonder as darkness fell and the Center's decorative Christmas lights began to glow, dancing like hundreds of tiny stars on the tree branches.
Listening to the sound of muted voices along with the whispering of leaves in the wind, my eyes suddenly filled with tears as I realized that we were already living in a part of Heaven. Here was a pure, protective atmosphere, kept so by Master and the residents, whose devotion helped to maintain the Center's vibration. Here now also were those disciples who had meditated faithfully and kept the Five Precepts, and whose goal in coming to the Retreat was to connect more meaningfully with God. Most importantly, here now was a Master who cared for us all so much that on the last day of the Retreat She even went against God's will to see us and give a talk, thus causing Herself much karma, so that we could benefit more from being here.
So the miracle of getting to the 2002 Christmas Retreat was ultimately the miracle of Master. The miracle of our very existence on this path is the miracle of Master. Truly, we are all blessed beyond words, beyond our wildest imaginings!
