My
name is Ni Youcai and I am 69 years old. It has been almost six years ago
since I was initiated by Master into the Quan Yin Method. During the past
six years of my spiritual practice, I have experienced joys and sorrows of
all kinds.
The
year after my initiation, I was diagnosed as having stomach cancer. Doctors
at two of the largest hospitals in Formosa informed me that I had one more
year to live if I underwent surgery, but without surgery, just four months
at the most. There was no cure for my illness. After hearing the doctors'
verdict, I decided to go home and wait for death to come. At that time, I
suffered unbearable pain and even lost my voice. I struggled on the edge of
life and death and had nowhere to turn for help. Although I prayed to Master
for help, I did not know where She was.
When
the pain became unendurable, I complained why Master had not come to save
me. In my ignorance, I said unpleasant things about Her, but immediately heard
a voice saying, "Okay. Now you've forced me out by criticizing me. Let
me tell you, sickness is a blessing. Why do you complain?" At that moment
my daughter-in-law came into the room. I asked, "Who was that talking
in the house?" She replied, "No one. No one else is here!"
I realized then that it had been Master talking to me.
Overcome
by shame, I cried out loud and prayed to Master. Apologetically I confessed
that I had not meant to criticize Her. I also repented for my ignorance. Then
I heard the voice again saying, "Even Gods make mistakes!" I immediately
realized that I had acted senselessly but Master had forgiven me. "Thank
You, Master!" I said to myself. Then I begged Her to let me leave this
world sooner, because I was in too much pain. To my disappointment, She said,
"Don't be impatient!"
Meanwhile,
my family was extremely worried, not knowing what to do. I told my daughter-in-law,
"Don't worry. It's all right. I am a disciple of Supreme Master Ching
Hai and practicing the Quan Yin Method. All will be well if I die. Then I'll
be free. Why worry?" Then I thought, "Since I'm still alive, I should
continue my spiritual practice. I'll practice for one more hour if I live
just one more hour; for one more minute if I live one more minute; or for
one more second even if I live just one more second." I remembered Master's
words: "We must be courageous, sincere and persistent in our spiritual
practice; then we will progress." I became determined to follow Master's
teachings even if it would cost me my life.
As
I was in the final phase of stomach cancer, I could not sit up for meditation,
so I meditated while lying down; I could not eat, so I just let it be. By
that time, my body had lost all sensation, but my mind was clear. It was sad
that I was reduced to a mere skeleton and drank only a half cup of potato
and cabbage juice each day. I had been on this diet for two months, and was
still alive despite doctors' predictions. I grew more and more self-confident
and felt much better. I started to meditate diligently, eight hours a day
at a stretch -- three hours on the sound and five hours on the light. Three
months later, I had changed inconceivably and the pain was gone. Then I meditated
even more diligently, ten hours a day. Another three months later, everything
had changed and it was just great!
Upon
regaining my confidence through meditation, I simply locked myself in my room
and refused to see anyone. Strangely, many of my old friends came to see me
around that time. Before my initiation into the Quan Yin Method, I was founder
and chairman of another spiritual group. But after being initiated by Master,
I resigned from that position and showed a complete lack of interest in worldly
affairs. In order to be able to concentrate on my spiritual practice, when
my former fellow practitioners came to see me, I acted the fool and refused
to see them. Some of them said, "Brother Ni has become obsessed by the
devil since he began observing a vegetarian diet and meditating." Some
said, "He has a mental problem." And some said, "He has problems."
They did not know that I had cancer. That was very funny!
When
they stopped coming to see me, I had more time for spiritual practice. I meditated
twelve hours a day. Then an inconceivable thing happened! I gained weight
and began to look healthy, as if I had never had cancer. Things got even better
when I began meditating fifteen hours a day. For six months, Master's manifestation
form stayed with me and blessed me twenty-four hours a day. Then I took a
retreat for another month and meditated until my mattress was worn out and
only my meditation cushion was left.
Before
pursuing spiritual practice, I was very ignorant. But now I not only understand
the benefits of spiritual practice, I have also overcome death, becoming younger
and healthier, and feeling freer and more blissful. These are all blessings
that Master has bestowed upon me, and I am truly grateful to Her for Her care.
True
Stories
