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During one seven-day retreat at Hsihu Center, I was a member of the working
staff. Consequently, I went there early to help organize the event.
Towards the end of the preparations, the group leader gathered all members to remind us of our duties. Then she pointed to some empty big cardboard boxes and said, "These boxes have been blessed by Master. If your camp site isn't flat, you can take a box and lay it beneath your tent." Seeing that the boxes were being taken away one by one, I intuitively felt that one of them belonged to me. However, my camp site was quite flat so I thought that I should not be greedy. Therefore, I did not take a box. Two days later, I noticed that there was one box still there. Believing that it must have been meant for me, I took it to place beneath my tent. Normally I cannot fall asleep easily in unfamiliar surroundings. The fact that I am also slow made me afraid that I would miss the early morning group meditation sessions, therefore I was too nervous at night to sleep soundly. I woke up every half hour and hence felt very exhausted during the day. Naturally, I was worried that I would waste the precious opportunity of the retreat by falling asleep during meditation. However, the day when I placed the precious blessed cardboard under my tent, I felt that I had something to rely on. Before sleeping, I sincerely knelt down on the cardboard, put my palms together, and prayed to Master, "Please wake me up very early tomorrow morning so that I can brush my teeth and wash my face before everyone else wakes up, enabling me to walk leisurely to the distant group meditation area." After I prayed, I was very confident and went to sleep with a peaceful mind. |
The next morning when I woke up, I looked at my clock and found that it was ten minutes before the group meditation starting time. Staring at the small alarm clock, I could not believe my eyes! I was really shocked. I jumped up, grabbed my toothbrush and meditation cushion, and quickly ran out. I rushed to the meditation area so fast I nearly missed it. But I was not late. Amen! I looked around and found, hey! that the place where I usually sat was still available and waiting for me! When I placed my cushion there and got ready to "doze off" as usual, I was surprised to notice that my mind was very clear and my whole body felt very comfortable. Looking up into the dark blue sky, I saw many stars glittering and the sky was remarkably clear and bright. Thinking back to how I ran all the way, I remember feeling as light as a swallow. I ran so quickly that I felt as if I was flying. I remember I slept so soundly that night and did not even dream. It was incredible! I think that the Monkey King must have had the same experience as I had after he ate the ginseng fruit. As a child I was weak and often sick. So that was my first time experiencing good health and even being able to meditate with a peaceful, clear mind. This, I know, is due to the supreme grace bestowed upon me by Master.¡¹ |