In
the past, I had always been a person who was hardheaded, only believing
what I personally saw and scoffing at things that I could not see.
My elder brother, who practiced Yi Quan Tao, often told me, "If
you observe a vegetarian diet, you will benefit in such-and-such
ways." But I always argued with him about it, even to the extent
that, at times, he did not even want to talk to me about a vegetarian
diet anymore. Once, he gave me some books to read, but they lay
unread at my home. Thinking that I was hopeless regarding liberation,
he mostly did not bother about me anymore.
The
Ripening Of My Affinity With Master
I
came to know of Master through my brother's colleague, who was Master's
disciple. Once that disciple brought Master's book series, "The Key of
Immediate Enlightenment" for another colleague to read, but since he was
not in, the books were left with my brother for several days. One day,
my brother had some free time, so he began reading one of the books. Thinking
that it was not bad, he asked if he might borrow the books. The disciple
readily agreed and my brother went home with the books.
He had finished one
of the books and started on another one when I happened to visit him.
Knowing that I was hardheaded, he did not mention anything about vegetarianism
to me, but only showed me one of Master's books, and said, "This book
is not bad. You may want to read it." Unknowningly, I had affinity with
Master! After I had read a part of the book, I felt that it was truly
"not bad" and borrowed it from my brother. After I had finished reading
it, I felt that these teachings suited me perfectly. Previously, I had
smoked more than a package of cigarettes a day and often drank alcohol,
but before I had even finished reading Master's book, I had decided to
give up these habits completely.
Perceiving
The Inner Stars
While
reading Master's book, I was very concentrated and did not feel sleepy
at all for many nights in a row. Since She mentioned in the book about
the wisdom eye and inner experiences, when I went to bed at night, I
concentrated my attention on my wisdom eye. I had an experience on the
second night. While I was lying in bed, a TV screen seemed to appear
before me and an image gradually formed. Then in front of me, my vision
was filled with golden particles resembling stars. They were very clear,
bright and indescribably beautiful.
Meanwhile,
I was thinking that I was sleeping with my wife, but wondered why I
heard her breath coming from beneath me. I remembered that for the past
decade, her breath was always at my side, but now, why was the sound
of her breath coming from underneath me? After I thought about it, the
screen shut off in about five seconds, and my wife's breath was back
by my side. This experience made me realize that human beings truly
have souls. Just as Master has said, "Our fleshly bodies are false and
our world is only temporary."
The
next day, I had the distinct feeling that this world was valueless and
that I had better pursue spiritual practice, get enlightenment, and
surpass the human level. After that I gave up meat and started to observe
a completely vegetarian diet. I also gave up cigarettes and alcohol.
My only wish was to get initiated by Master as soon as possible.
I
eagerly finished reading all of Master's books in the "The Key of Immediate
Enlightenment" series, and having firm faith in Master, I was very anxious
to receive initiation and to learn the Quan Yin Method. Although I had
been on a vegetarian diet for only a little over a month, I was longing
for initiation. So, accompanied by a friend, my wife and child, my eldest
sister and my elder brother, I went to Hsihu Center in Miaoli. My brother,
sister and friend had been vegetarians for a long time and were qualified
for initiation; however, I was not and could only apply for the Convenient
Method of meditation.
Remembering
that Master had said in Her book, "If you are sincere, I will give you
initiation," I begged for the full initiation from all the Quan Yin
messengers I could find, and one by one, they all refused me. I kept
begging until I was overcome with dizziness, but still permission was
not granted. Consolingly, people tried to persuade me to learn the Convenient
Method first and get initiation later when I was qualified. I was deeply
disappointed.
Perceiving
The Transformation Master
Due To Sincerity
Thinking
that, while I could not be fully initiated, I must be qualified to learn
the Convenient Method, I waited there for my name to be called. Alas!
To my bewilderment, my friend and all of my family members, including
my child, were all called in for Convenient Method, only I was left,
sitting there all alone. The Quan Yin messenger rechecked the name list;
my name was not on the list. Suddenly, I felt so indescribably disappointed
and sad, as if I had fallen into the bottom of a fathomless valley.
Pondering
my situation I turned around to go sit under a tree and suddenly I saw
Master standing by the guard's room at the main entrance. I mused, "How
strange it is. Master has gone overseas. How can She be here? Maybe
I am not seeing clearly."
I
rubbed my eyes with my hands and carefully looked again. It was true.
Master was there. I could not possibly be mistaken. Although I had never
seen Her in person, I had seen Her pictures on the cover of each of
"The Key of Immediate Enlightenment" books and on all of the News magazines.
Master's eyes were very special. It was Her. She was wearing a hat and
the figure was unmistakably that of Master.
I
quickly ran to Her, calling, "Master!" The Figure looked at me and said
to me, You've got it wrong. I'm not your Master." I said, "Yes, You
are! I can't possibly be mistaken." Then Master turned and walked into
the Center. I followed Her, certain of who She was. Although Master's
figure was small, She walked very quickly, so quickly that I almost
could not catch up with Her. People often say that I walk very fast,
but Master walks even faster. When I reached Her side, I could smell
a light fragrance that She exuded which was indescribable. It seemed
to me that it both existed, yet did not exist. Somehow, it made me feel
very happy and cool, and I was filled with bliss.
On
the way, Master asked me, "How long have you been on a vegetarian diet?
Why do you want to be initiated?" Then She said that I did not have
to be so impatient since I had been on a vegetarian diet for only a
month. I said that I could be patient for all other things, but I could
not wait any longer for initiation. I also told Her that the Quan Yin
Method was a really good Method and that I wanted to learn it very much.
As we walked, I implored Her to give me initiation, but She replied,
"Don't be impatient. Read more books after you go back home." She said
that those who sincerely want to be initiated would be initiated, eventually.
Master
continued to walk, and was walking at a very quick pace. We neared the
bookstore, then passed it, and She seemed to be leaving me behind. I
wanted to follow Her, but suddenly She turned around and walked back
to me. Seeing Her approach me, I could not help kneeling down before
Her. She said, "Please don't kneel down! Please don't kneel down!" Then
She quickly stepped over to the information desk. Stopping there, She
told me, "This brother will help you to get initiation." Then She said
that She had to leave to do something else. I said, "Master, please
don't fool me." She smiled and said, "I'm not fooling you." She told
me to wait there for that brother to finish his work. Then I saw Master
quickly walking in another direction and suddenly disappear from sight.
Soon
afterwards, the brother working at the information desk turned to me
and asked what he could do for me. I said that Master had assigned him
to help me get initiation. He said, "No! Why do you ask me about initiation?
You should ask the people at the main entrance. Please, quickly go there."
Hearing this, I again felt dizzy, but I hurried back to the main entrance.
However, when I got there, I found, much to my dismay, that my name
was still not on the approved list, and therefore, I was not allowed
to receive initiation that day.
What
happened later was amazingly wonderful. When I was finally qualified
to be initiated, I observed that the Quan Yin messenger was just that
brother whom Master had said would help me get initiation. While I was
thinking about it, that brother came to me, took my application form,
and asked me some questions. The person who gave instructions during
the initiation was also this brother that Master had pointed out to
me. Don't you think that this is intriguing? That was the process of
how I was initiated.