81/Master's Wonders/Cardboard Box of Love
By Sister Initiate Siao Tong, Taipei, Formosa
Master's
Wonders
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.
Master's
Blessing During The 4-Day Retreat In Pacet, East Java, Indonesia
Cardboard
Box of Love