In
modern society, what troubles us is usually not whether we have enough to
wear, but rather, that the woman next door has bought a beautiful new dress
or that our friends' children performed much better than ours. Throughout
our lives, we are influenced and directed by other people's viewpoints. We
cannot even harness our own minds, which others should not maneuver or gain
control over. We do not know and dare not ask where we come from and where
we will go after death. We just let destiny run our lives. Feeling helpless,
we keep running away from knowing our true selves, and occupy ourselves with
all kinds of business and trivialities, trying to forget the vital question
that shamefully we cannot answer. Looking around, we find that no one has
the answer, and everyone knows that no one else has it, so that no one feels
hurt or embarrassed. Anyway, there are many senseless competitions to engage
in.
After
I began my spiritual practice, however, the more I practice, the more I became
aware of my shortcomings. Previously I had not been able to see, or had no
courage to face them, because I had no solution for them. Now that I know
how to approach these problems, I can face them directly. As more and more
problems are solved, my heart becomes more and more open. The many things
that I once wished I could do, I have now done. It's well said: The Quan Yin
Method, the method of all methods, is the last door to sainthood. Indeed!
Reflections
On Spiritual Practice
