Q: I'm in theater, working with some artists and I also work with a lot of dancers, actors, actresses, musicians. I often see those people I work with; they often smoke pot, doing a lot of stuff just to get out of their own personal frustrations. Well, as an artist, we always want to be open-minded and try as many things as possible; but since I'm following the Quan Yin Method, I sometimes feel like I'm unable to do that. Of course I know that I shouldn't do it, but sometimes they have this theory like, "Try something in order to be a good artist." Sometimes I get very confused so I'd like to ask for Your suggestion and support.

M: These people, they are confused. They feel very empty in their lives. After they've tried all their best to please the public, of course then they are empty, and they don't know where else to turn. When they call to Buddha, Buddha doesn't answer; when they talk to Jesus, Jesus just hangs-in there. (Laughter) So then of course, they try something to quickly fill their emptiness inside. Any kind of work for the public gives you this empty feeling aftermath. You must know. That's a great sacrifice that every artist must make.

Q: Should I change my career?

M: No. You have your Master, you have the Quan Yin Method. You have the meditation which is quicker than the pot to fulfill your inner satisfaction and peace. Why do you need these cheap substitutes? You tell them. You should lead them instead of letting them lead you. You are the light, you don't follow the darkness. (Applause)

Q: Sometimes I just feel like I'm so alone among these people.

M: No. You're not alone. You are there to lead them. You are there to bless them, you are there to give them what they don't have, you are there to be their strength, because they are in darkness. You are the only light, and you want to dim yourself and go into the darkness too?! (Applause)

God put you there so that there is one light in the darkness. You talk to them, tell them there are better ways, more noble ways, less damaging, more fulfilling. They are lonely, they need you. You must be strong. Be thankful. Artists' jobs are very noble. You make a lot of people happy, make their time pass quicker. When they watch a good movie, it's educational. When they watch a good theatrical performance, it's educational.

Of course, whenever we give, we empty out. That's why they feel more lonely. Artist feel more lonely after the big applause from the people. They feel more empty. I know that. Every Sunday I know that. After every group meditation, I know that. I empty too. I empty everything out, so that you feel fulfilled and happy. But I often feel very lonely and empty, not to talk about artists. But I have to be strong. You have to be strong. We are there to be strong, for people to lean on. We are there to show the way, to be a beacon. Don't be tempted to go the easy way. You'll fall, then you will regret and bring a lot of people down with you. You know your mission, why you are there. You're not only an artist, you are a saint. (Applause) I hope that it helps you.

You are a saint. Remember! Forget your outward mask as an artist. You are a saint in disguise to be there so people feel better. Talk to them about something more noble, more meaningful. Even though they reject you, their minds record. Give them more good recordings than what they have been recording up to now. Up to now, they have recorded all the negative things, so you have to replace that with better recordings for their minds. Whether they accept it or not, the mind still records it. Later, it will germinate, it will bear fruit. You don't have to take credit for anything you do, just do it.

Every time you talk to someone or you please someone, even though it is very good, it takes something out of you. That's for sure. That will be refilled later, only if you know that. But some people don't know -- takes longer. They want quick results. They feel such a tremendous rush of emptiness upon themselves and they just get confused, panick, and feel lonely. So other people tell them, "Oh! You just smoke this and you'll feel in heaven." They try that out of curiosity, out of weakness, out of frustration. Then they go down the hill and they cannot stand up anymore. That's the problem.

Anything you can try, but how will your life be later? So we have to understand, every choice we make is free will, but the consequences are different. God lets you try anything you want. But because you have wisdom, you have to know what choices are good for you.