OK. Sit down. Sit down. Sit down. Otherwise, people can’t see me. It’s alright to sit over there and meditate together. OK. I give you this special honor today. You can sit a little closer. It’s alright. Sometimes, for the sake of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) asylum seekers, I have to get in touch with many outside people or politicians. I see that their way of working is not the same as our group’s. Money is required for every step, every step. Money is required for anything. It is not for my work; it’s for the asylum seekers, it’s for others’ work. Sometimes, they ask for money before doing the job, saying, “Oh, give me the money first, then maybe I still… I still have to give money to this and that person. Maybe I can help.” Then, nothing. This is how they make promises. Therefore, many people in the world who don’t practice spiritually are really not reliable.
We, as spiritual practitioners, have to be good, be good examples. After practicing for a long time, it becomes natural, becomes a matter of course, without thinking that we want to be good examples. I’m sure, I think that our fellow initiates definitely do not think that they want to be good examples, or want to become something, become remarkable spiritual practitioners. They do all this naturally. Because it’s the same with me. Anything I do, I do it naturally. Otherwise, I don’t want anything, don’t need anything from the world. Sometimes, doing these kinds of things, I suffer a lot of grievances and insults, and spend a lot of time, a lot of mental effort and energy. It’s not fun.
For example, you are a high political official, people treat you very nicely wherever you go, and you can go to the VIP room and sit there, or you can stay in a very big hotel. Whenever you attend a meeting, you receive tens of thousands of US dollars. Today someone told me that. What you eat will be the best and the most expensive, more than you can finish, eating only half and leaving the rest behind, and then eat other things. Every meeting is like that, without reaching any conclusion. There are always meetings, talking about the same subject for a long time, and then going home. And then meeting again tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Each time it costs tens of thousands of US dollars, at least. That amount is for one person only. Sometimes, if there are several people, then it will be hundreds of thousands or a few millions [of US dollars].
A spiritual practicing group like ours works for the benefit of the world, without wanting any reward or getting anything. We don’t have that kind of reputation and honor. As you know, these two small rooms accommodate 40 people. This is not a first-class hotel; it’s an incredible hotel. When we are waiting for the plane, sometimes it’s the first flight, and other times we squeeze and sit together. Normally, I’d hide in the toilet to wait – to wait for the next flight. We don’t have any VIP lounge. Because if I sit outside, I’m kind of shy and afraid of people looking at me. So I’d hide in the toilet. People will look if I wear this kind of clothes. If I wear jeans, people will say, “Being a spiritual practitioner, why are You wearing jeans?” Like that. I’m very afraid of being in the public; I’m very shy. I go on the stage to give lectures because I have no choice. In order to benefit the world, I have to endure everything.
My room is a little better than theirs. I have my own room, with a toilet for me alone. It’s a little more expensive. But every day I don’t even know how many tens of people come in and out of my room. From morning till midnight. It’s a kind of public living room. Different people, anyone can come in. Everyone wants to come in. No problem. It’s just the same; no difference. Just that I have the privilege to sleep in my own room at night. And I can have more space to breathe. Do you all know it? (Yes.) It’s the same every day, and wherever I go. I just chat and work incessantly, and receive guests continuously. I’m thinking that if I return next life, I’ll change my job. I’ll work as a hotel manager. I’m very experienced in that this lifetime. I definitely will earn money. Since I’m so attractive, there must be many guests. I’m not running a hotel, yet there are so many people. Not to mention that. If I run a hotel, it’ll definitely be the largest in the world.
So, it is obvious that what we do really is not for fame and wealth. Our fellow initiates definitely have no desire for fame and fortune. They don’t earn fame. More often they get scolded. If the work is not well done, they get “fixed” by me. Besides, normally I won’t reveal or introduce them. This is the first time. They do have some benefit, such as a few apples plus a few vegan cookies. They do get benefit, but not much. Sometimes they don’t get anything. If there’re too many new initiates, of course they have to wait. Therefore, I talk about these things today to also let you know that there are still good examples, good saints in the world. It’s not completely dark.
Is her translation fine? (So, so.) So, so? (So, so.) Does she use the right words? Use of words. Why don’t you go up and translate? Your Korean is better, right? But I like her, because she translates very quickly. She’s quicker, and so I won’t get bored. However… But… I also can’t blame you. Because she has been with me from Argentina till now. Three years already? (More than two and a half years.) More than 2.5 years, nearly three years. She is more devoted in spiritual practice. Otherwise, her Korean is not very good.
Spiritual practice really makes a difference. The duration of spiritual practice also makes a lot of difference. Those who are just initiated are full of bliss in their hearts. Some feel that they want to jump up, want to laugh and… They feel that they are very light. Feeling very light and airy. Because their karma of many lifetimes has been eliminated. However, we have to preserve the blessing and lightened spirit that we had when we were newly initiated. Because, if we don’t continue practicing, later we’ll be contaminated by society, and then we’d feel tired again.
Photo Caption: Meditating on THE ONES Reunited
