Master Brought Me Back To The Path

I had never thought of participating in a seven-day retreat because I had not acquired an appreciation of the pleasure of meditating. Everyday when I meditated, I merely closed my eyes and waited for the time to be up. Therefore, I often felt so ashamed that I dared not look squarely at photographs of Master.

One night, I dreamt that I was on a mountain path, holding in my hand the things that I used for meditating. In bewilderment I looked in front and behind me, and saw a big row of brothers and sisters getting ready to meditate. Then I sat down and began to cry. I did not like to meditate, and I was surprised that even in my dream I had with me my cushion for meditating.

In order to educate the hardheaded and lazy disciples like me, Master truly uses all sorts of means. For example, frequently while I was half asleep, Master would manifest light on me and pull me up. Due to my fear of heights, I was forced to pull myself back down.

However, our compassionate Master did not give up on me. For the last Mid-Autumn Three-Day Retreat, all the branch centers prepared entertainment programs to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The show that the Kao-Ping Center planned was "The Eight Deities And The Seven Fairies". However, when I learned about the news it was already decided who would perform in the show. Although I love to dance, I could only stamp my feet in frustration. That night, the "eight deities" appeared in my dream. In the afternoon the next day, I received a phone call notifying me to attend the rehearsal at once. In order for my performance to go well, I began meditating earnestly.

After the three-day retreat, I had a chance to perform a show at the Ching Hai Seven-Day Retreat. During rehearsals, the more diligent brothers and sisters would invariably find opportunities to correct some of my misconceptions. And I found that I was changing, little by little.

Through this seven-day retreat, I deeply appreciate Master's good intensions. I discovered that in all twenty-four hours of the day, Master always meticulously looks after each and every person, including disciples as lazy as I was. Recalling my ignorance of the past, I am truly ashamed of myself.