Brother Wu has been a computer fanatic since graduating from the university. However, his small, but profitable, software company that he established with a friend made great demands on him both physically and mentally. The varied services his company provided to his customers often meant he had to forgo his daily meditation. The exhausting pace of life was too much for him to maintain, so one day he asked himself, "Do I need to live like this?" The solution to close his business was not easily made, however, he believed it was the correct one.

Coincidentally, when brother Wu turned his back on the computer industry, his entrepreneurial wife decided to invest in a street-vending cart that she purchased from a neighbor. His immediate reaction was one of shock because he considered street-vending a menial form of work and therefore a lowering of his and his family's social status. Fortunately, Quan Yin meditation ( which he now has more time for since selling his computer business ) was a fundamental factor in brother Wu swallowing his enormous pride. Although he still discovered this was even more painful than closing his computer business!

There were times when he had to sell food in the rain, and on one occasion he was completely soaked when all the water that had accumulated in the cart's plastic covering fell onto him. The brother Wu of old would have immediately lost his temper, but remarkably, on this occasion, he simply looked at his wife and they both broke into uncontrollable laughter like little children. There were even times when he came face to face with his former computer colleagues, who would, no doubt, have been quite surprised to see him selling food on the side of the street. Yet despite all these difficulties, brother Wu slowly overcame all his preconceived ideas about himself.

Having totally accepted his new career as a street vendor, brother Wu discovered he still had some "computer karma" to resolve because he was persistently invited to return to be a teacher in the computer industry by his former colleagues. Finally, he agreed to return, but not before he learnt some valuable lessons about being attached to one's career and image of oneself. Had he not learnt these lessons he would never have enjoyed his time as a street vendor.

Important lessons about the ego were also learnt by brother Wu whenever he worked at any of the meditation Centers. He realized that it was only when he genuinely let go of his preconceived ideas could he truly be receptive to the Master Power. He now understands that it is much easier to say one has complete faith in Master than to actually put that faith into action. Whenever he put his faith into action by being totally concentrated on the job, brother Wu discovered he could work for a much longer time. Conversely, whenever he made an excuse to interrupt his work, for example to meditate, or to be lazy, or to even do unnecessary planning, the work never went smoothly.

One lesson that Brother Wu shall never forget was when he won a lucrative contract with a software investment company. The work began smoothly and everything went according to schedule. However, halfway into the work, when the end was in sight, he began boasting about the deal to all his friends. Soon after, the investment company collapsed ! The wisdom of Master's words became all too apparent to him. How much more proof does one need as to the ephemeral nature of this world?

Fortunately, brother Wu didn't lose any money, but instead he gained yet another important lesson in life. Having changed career's twice, brother Wu believes Master ensures that the opportunity to learn is always there for us so we can slowly untie the "chains" of conditioning that most of us are bound by. He now knows our spiritual progress depends upon welcoming these learning opportunities so that we can courageously accept whatever situation we find ourselves in.