With
its ancient sacred tradition, India has been graced by the presence
of many great Masters through the centuries, including Shakyamuni Buddha,
Jesus Christ and Supreme Master Ching Hai, and its literature is replete
with spiritual lore. The elevating vibrations of these and countless
other Saints have helped the Indian people become tolerant of all religious
beliefs.
India's heritage of religious understanding is reflected
in Tales of the Mystic East (published by Radha Soami Satsang Beas Publishers),
a collection of parables that depict the actions of past Masters and
their disciples. The settings of the Tales range from Egypt to India,
and the texts describe well-known Masters such as Kabir along with many
"unknowns" who are referred to simply as "Saints."
Each story in the anthology brings to life a different
aspect of the Master-disciple relationship. But all express the theme
that spiritual progress is best achieved when the Master's absolute
love and wisdom are met by a disciple's complete faith and devotion.
An example of how a disciple's loyalty is his ultimate
protection can be seen in the story "The Price of Hot Coals,"
in which a spiritual devotee finds himself being constantly tempted
by a prostitute. One day, he is instructed by his Master to obtain some
hot coals, but the only person he can find with any coals is the prostitute.
So he approaches her and asks her to sell him some. Tauntingly, she
replies that the "price" will be his eyes, and then she watches
in amazement as the disciple immediately plucks out one of his eyes
and places it before her.
Immensely regretful for what she has done, the prostitute
gives the disciple the coals and he then returns to his Master with
the coals and a bandage over his eyes. When the Master sees the bandage,
he asks about it and then tells the disciple to remove it. As the disciple
takes off the dressing, he finds that his eye has been completely restored!
There are many other similarly inspiring stories in
Tales of the Mystic East, and after reading them I asked myself why
Supreme Master Ching Hai does not speak of such wonders from Her own
life experience. But I soon realized that Master's reluctance to speak
of such matters is due to Her deep humility. Although She teaches that
a living Master's task is to re-connect us with God, Her unwillingness
to be identified as more than what she calls "a transmitting pole"
for divine energy is a sign of Her greatness (Experience Heaven on Earth,
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 9, 1999).
Since coming to this understanding, I have been nearly
moved to tears with each story I read in Tales of the Mystic East
as
I am reminded of Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her selfless work for
humanity. As the greatest of living Masters, She interprets universal
law and applies it flawlessly to each individual's karmic situation.
Master is the only One Who can communicate to disciples on the inner
or outer level exactly how to account for their thoughts, words and
deeds. In addition, She is the only One who can show us how to progress
spiritually and, when we fall, carry us in Her arms until we can walk
again. May we all remain worthy of this gift. Thank You, Master. 
