Winter nights descend very early on the countryside. Darkness sets in by what is normally considered dusk.

It was on one such evening that I was, as usual, on duty as the telephone operator. I was tied down with some work and did not leave to take a bath until dusk. By the time I was halfway up the hill, the steps had become almost invisible and I had forgotten to bring a flashlight. It was eventually impossible to move on as I might step on the little creatures on the ground. At that moment of desperation, a night light on the side of the path suddenly shone. That was great! A fellow initiate must have switched it on, so I turned around to thank him. No one answered me, except the rustling leaves.

The next evening, I set out earlier than usual, hoping to turn on the night light before darkness fell so other people would not run into the same predicament as I did the day before. As I reached out for the switch, I stood stupefied for a moment. It suddenly occurred to me that this light had not been functional for a long time; even the switch was gone. But, then, what had happened the night before? Refusing to give up, I turned on my flashlight and searched everywhere until I was sure that the light absolutely did not function.

At that instant of realization, tears rolled down my cheeks. It was You, my dearest Master! It was You who had lighted the way for me. You had honored Your promise that Your manifestation form would be with each initiated disciple to protect him or her twenty-four hours a day. No wonder I have always felt so at ease and unperturbed when I made my way up the mountain paths at night "alone." Blessed indeed are those who have mercifully been initiated by You! When we have You, the "impossible" becomes possible.  

Ching Hai Lamps Need No Electricity Karmic Debtors Come To Claim Justice