Special Reports
The Surprise Of Trying New Things By Sister Initiate Karin Ebner, Austria (Originally In English)

Whenever I attended a retreat, I used to admire those who volunteered to be guards, sacrificing the precious meditation sessions just to stand there -- often even having to stand facing away from Master.

At the first European Retreat in Hamburg, Germany, Master remarked that we could never repay what those people -- guards or workers in the kitchen -- have contributed. But we could do the same next time. These sentences went deep into my heart. I felt very ashamed about my laziness but I thought that I would not be able to do such a job.

This year, when I registered for the 4-day retreat in London, I just told the contact person that I would like to help with the work during the retreat or before, but I did not join a particular working group. I wanted to leave it like that and surprise myself as to which kind of work I would get.

The days before the retreat went by peacefully. I spent my time meditating and helped here and there. But it looked like I would just meditate at the retreat. I began to feel disappointed and thought, "Well, maybe it would have been better to say clearly what kind of job I wanted to do. Seems like I won't get the chance to join a working group now." Soon after I thought this, a sister of the working team asked me if I would like to work as a security guard. "Oh, yes!" So I unexpectedly found myself being one of those much admired guards, realizing that I not only could do the same as those "great beings" but that I even liked it!

This work gave me a joyful feeling and deep satisfaction. And most amazingly, even though I could not attend all meditation sessions, I did not miss them! I just appreciated the rest of the meditation time more, feeling that I really deserved to sit and enjoy meditation with so many saints!

This experience proved to me that one should always try new things, and also that jobs considered dull and tiring can turn out to be the most fulfilling!

Grand Spiritual Gathering -- Summary Of The Third European 4-Day Retreat Echo -- The Most Beautiful Feeling Of My Life The Surprise Of Trying New Things