While On The Path

By Fellow Initiate Huang Yue-Nan,
 Tainan, Formosa

After initiation, our acts and deeds are under the scrutiny of our relatives and friends, providing them with a reference for when they choose to pursue spiritual practice in the future. It may not be effective to deliberately preach Master's teachings with other people. On the contrary, we can attract them by naturally revealing our spiritual demeanor.

Last year was the most gratifying year since I received initiation many years ago. I didn't win a lottery or run into tremendous good luck; but what occurred was that two of my classmates respectively began to practice the Convenient Method, one of which has already been initiated. My good friends of yesterday have now become my fellow practitioners. Oh, Master! You truly love us dearly.

Although we were old friends of over twenty years, we had no contact in the last few years. Suddenly, they eagerly looked me up, because they wanted to borrow Master's cassette tapes and go to Miaoli to see Her. They immediately registered for the Convenient Method on their first visit there.

Amazed, I asked them why they suddenly decided to join our practicing group when they could easily devote themselves to other masters without having to keep so many precepts. Both of them gave the same answer: "Observing that a smart person like you have followed Supreme Master Ching Hai for so many years, we knew that this Master must be an exceptional one. You have lived perfectly well all these years on a vegetarian diet and pursuing spiritual practice; when your parents died you did not fight over the family property, and you willingly gave up the position that you earned through over a decade's efforts; you have now become more happy and cheerful; obviously your spiritual path has brought you great benefits and no harm. Among our group of old friends, you are the pioneer in spiritual practice, and we wish to join you now that our time has come."

I was really surprised to hear their words! Indeed, after initiation, our speech and behavior are observed carefully by our relatives and friends, which also gives them a frame of reference when later they choose to practice spirituality. It may not be effective to deliberately spread Master's teachings verbally. Instead, we can attract others to pursue spiritual practice naturally by our manner as spiritual practitioners. I deeply realize that Master's teachings are not only to be propagated by words, but also through our every action in daily life.