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 After
much preparation and anticipation, the International 5-Day
Retreat was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach,
a well-known harbor in southern California. The luxurious
hotel, which faces the ocean, is bordered by verdant trees
and vast grassy areas, is like a heavenly garden.
After
dawn on the 24th of December, fellow practitioners from all
over the globe began arriving at the warm oceanside city.
Carrying their luggages and with beaming faces, entered the
Hyatt Regency Hotel to register for their lodging and for
the retreat. There were approximately 2,600 participants who
came from countries such as Au Lac, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, England,
Formosa, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Laos, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore,
Sweden, Thailand and the United States.
At 4 a.m.,
the International 5-Day Retreat officially began at the Long
Beach Convention Center, located next to the Hyatt Regency
Hotel. Retreat participants only needed to go through a short
walkway connecting the Hyatt and the Convention Center to
reach the meditation hall. Some fellow practitioners jokingly
called this the bridge between earth and heaven.
After
the first meditation session, we got to hear Master's voice
via a long-distance conference call. She said that She would
be unable to attend the retreat and further expressed Her
love for us. Afterward, She allowed us to ask questions. Some
fellow practitioners took this opportunity to do so and to
express their love and longing for Her. Understanding our
hearts' longing, She didn't hang up the phone until all questions
had been answered, then She said "good night" to everyone.
The
kitchen staff offered ample delicious and nutritious meals.
Everyone was satisfied, spiritually and physically. The dining
hall was located on the third floor of the hotel. There were
rows of buffet tables from which we selected our food. We
then exited to find a spot where we could enjoy the delicious
meal before returning to the meditation hall. Soaring again
the inner beautiful fairyland.
The
afternoon meditation session began with some fellow practitioners'
accounts of their accomplishments and obstacles during the
course of their own spiritual development. Afterward, we meditated
in a warm and loving atmosphere.
After
dinner and free time, we eagerly returned to the meditation
hall to watch Master's videotaped lectures. We were reminded
of many good times as we saw and heard our beloved Master.
Although we were physically apart, Master's spirit was with
us during our meditation.
We
followed the same basic schedule as on the 25th. However,
today, some fellow practitioners discovered we had a bookstore
just next to the meditation hall. Therefore, after the meditation
session, they went to have a look. The exquisite celestial
clothes, designed by Supreme Master Ching Hai, were displayed in the
center of the room. The bookstore also contained multilingual
books, audio- and videotapes, and Master's paintings. Several
people entered the typically crowded bookstore with curiosity
and later walked out with a stack of books or a few videotapes
in their hands, "spiritual food which is savored wholeheartedly
by fellow practitioners.
During
the morning meditation, a familiar voice suddenly became audible.
We could not believe our ears and then opened our eyes. As
if in a dream, our beloved Master was there, on the stage.
Everyone shouted with joy, similar to the sound of children
when they find their mother and can be embraced in her sweet
arms. Graceful in a simple outfit, Master happily greeted
us. After giving a talk, She said She would be back for the
entertainment program after dinner.
That
night, an entertainment program was put together by fellow
practitioners. After days of meditating and inspired by the
joy of being reunited with Master, their music and dances
were lively and spontaneous, bringing warmth to the audience.
At the end of the program, Master walked among fellow practitioners
to greet us before leaving to take a rest. We left the meditation
hall satisfied and elated.
Around
8:30 in the morning, during our meditation Master again visited
us. In Her concluding lecture, She reminded us to accept ourselves.
She said, to others, maybe She made some mistakes. They seemed
to be mistakes, but sometimes Her "mistakes are ways to provide
spiritual lessons for others. Master commented that She is
always happy to help everyone to learn and progress in any
way She can.
According
to Master, She suggested a way for us to check how much we
have improved. An event or situation itself is not important;
what is important is our reaction to that event.
In addition,
She warned us not to think that people around us are all Bodhisattvas.
They too can be used by Maya's forces to drag us down and
create obstacles for us. Whenever we are dragged down that
means She is in trouble. Being a Master is a tough and difficult
job. Sometimes
She cried also.
To
conclude Her lecture, Master said that to develop spiritually,
we do not need to leave home to follow Her around. She jokingly
said that if we live with God, with the inner Master, that
is already crowded enough.
The
retreat came to an end. We left the meditation hall with joy
and gratitude. We were thankful to God for blessing us with
the opportunity to attend the 5-day retreat. We thanked our
compassionate Master who, despite an exhausting schedule,
had come and shared with us Her love and teachings. We were
grateful to all of the retreat staff who worked hard to provide
a loving meditation environment, and for arranging our accommodation
and meals. And, last but not least, we were appreciative of
our fellow practitioners from all over the world who had come
to this family reunion, so that we could be together in a
pure and loving atmosphere.
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Retreat
On Christmas-Long Beach, California, USA