Amazing Grace

By sister initiate Grace, Taipei, Formosa

Even before I was initiated by Master Ching Hai, I loved music very much, especially the ethereal singing of Greek singer Nana Mouskouri. I was enchanted by her performance of the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace." Each time I heard her sing this song, I couldn't help but listen to it over and over again. The familiar lyrics "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound" never failed to touch me deeply, making me feel like a traveler who misses home very much after being away for a long time. Even as tears rolled down my cheeks, I would continue to listen to the song. After my initiation, I suddenly understood that the "sound" referred to in the lyrics is precisely the inner Sound stream that Master Ching Hai talks about. During my daily meditation, I listen to this inner Sound stream, and have become increasingly open and tolerant, while the hindrances on my spiritual path have given way to encouraging strength. Now, whenever I listen to this song, I find that my earlier depressed feelings have been replaced by immense gratitude.

   Incredibly, even my husband, who strongly objected to my pursuing spiritual practice, recently asked me to record this one song for him over and over again on a single cassette tape, so that he could listen to it continuously, just as I had done earlier. Could this be a sign that this stubborn stone will soon be...?

   In the Bible, Jesus Christ said to His disciples: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). To show my gratitude for this amazing grace, I gave myself the English name "Grace", because I know everything is God's grace, nothing but God's grace....

Amazing Grace

(Originally in English)
Lyrics by John Newton (composed probably between 1760 and 1770)
Performed by Nana Mouskouri