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Before
meeting Master, I was a long way from a vegetarian lifestyle, as I
consumed meat and fish, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and drank
liquor and beer. I thought that a person who did not drink sake (Japanese
rice wine) or eat sashimi (raw fish) was not truly Japanese. Occasionally,
I even went out to drink at restaurants, ate thirty skewers of roast
chicken at one sitting and could not give up these habits.
At
that time, I weighed nearly a hundred kilograms, was taking increasing
amounts of medication for hypertension, and experienced numbness
in my head and trembling in my hands. Becoming worried about my
condition, I decided to visit a chiropractic school where I had
a long term interest. Under the guidance of a teacher there, I began
to learn about the Supreme Master Ching Hai.
During
this period, I began to give up meat and fish, and through a simple
calculation, determined that by eating 300 grams of meat daily I
was consuming over 100 kg a year - more than my weight in dead animals!
When I realized that my body was comprised of material from dead
animals, I stopped eating meat.
I
also noticed that I had lost the desire to smoke and so discontinued
smoking altogether. I stopped drinking liquor as well because after
drinking, instead of getting a hangover the next day, I immediately
got a headache. I soon discovered many delicious vegetarian meals,
and naturally began to follow a vegetarian diet, but was concerned
about whether I could maintain it. As I proceeded with my diet,
my understanding of Master's teachings deepened as well.
On
November 3, 2001, I was initiated, and at the time was still worried
about how long I could adhere to a vegetarian diet and continue
practicing spirituality because I felt I lacked sufficient endurance.
But now my health has greatly improved, and I am enjoying a deeper
spiritual nature. I am anxious to know what my original role and
purpose in this life are. These questions push me forward to continue
practicing.
In
addition, many fellow initiates helped me before my initiation and
continue to do so today, giving me feelings of comfort, peace and
security with or without words, and I ask myself, "Is this
spiritual power?" Now, I drive two hours on the expressway,
two or three times a month, to join in group meditation, in order
to obtain more of this power.
From
now on, I will live as a person who can give encouragement and comfort
to others, even if I meet death tomorrow. I am grateful to Supreme
Master Ching Hai for arranging my life every day.
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