It
was early evening, and I had just arrived at the Florida Center to
attend the special celebration of Mother's Day and Master's birthday
on May 12. The sun was out, and the sky was clear and beautiful. Pulling
a small suitcase, I walked into the camping area for female initiates
to pitch my tent.
Then, from a shed,
a white dog approached to greet me and another sister. The dog sent
forth something special that suddenly touched my heart. Perhaps it
was his unusually graceful demeanor and the loving look in his eyes.
We were all strangers to him, and yet he was ever so gentle and kind,
following us and stretching out his nose as if to give us a kiss to
say "welcome." An extra long leash around his neck allowed
him to walk along with us. I could feel the peacefulness in his heart
that elevated me spiritually when I looked at him.
After pitching my
tent, I returned to the doghouse to return his kindness, wondering
if he was lonely and needed some company. But he looked very quiet
and contented. I talked sweetly to him and lovingly rubbed his head
and chin. I noticed that his doghouse was similar in size to a small,
one-person room (8 x 10 feet). It was clean and well ventilated and
had a full size front door and two square windows on each side. I
looked inside, and there on the floor to the left lay a bunk bed mattress,
fully covered by a fitted sheet. On top lay a soft pillow, several
colorful stuffed toys, and a large plastic bone. A dim light at one
corner had been left on for the night.
I was very amazed,
delighted and touched to discover how much loving treatment the dog
received. On the floor, at other side of the room, was a big bowl
of water and another filled with vegetarian food. As I looked around,
I also noticed a small picture of Master in a simple frame on a tiny
table by the back wall, at eye level with the dog! My heart was filled
with joy upon seeing it, and. I then understood why the dog always
seemed to be at peace. More importantly, he radiated a loving aura
that I had hardly ever witnessed before. He was probably a very high-level,
spiritual dog!
Early the next morning,
in the Meditation Hall, Master told us stories about Her ex-neighbors
and a veterinarian, all of whom She had treated with love. She always
"went the extra mile" to take care of the neighbors and
sometimes their pet whenever they needed or asked for help. She bought
them gifts and clothes, baby-sat their dog and even paid bills for
their dog's emergency treatment. Besides, She asked Her attendants
to tend the veterinarian in the hospital when he was sick. But these
individuals all misinterpreted Her actions and turned unfriendly at
Her "unusual" tender, loving care. They became doubtful,
questioning Her intentions. Instead of paying respect to Her because
of Her unconditional kindness toward them, many took advantage of
Her good heart and generosity. Worse yet, some got envious and upset
at Her for taking care of their family members. From then on, Master
only greeted them, no more, no less.
One
night She picked up a wounded opossum that had been hit by a car on
the road. Master wanted to have it treated, but had problems finding
a veterinarian who was willing to treat wild animals. She also had
difficulty finding a veterinary hospital that was open at that hour
of the night. After much effort, one vet reluctantly answered Her
plea. However, not too long after that, the poor animal came to Master
in Her meditation to say, "Goodbye, mom." Master then went
to check with the doctor and found that the animal had just died.
From these stories,
one can see that animals are sometimes spiritually higher than we
are. They learn to give and receive love much more quickly than many
humans do as did the dog who greeted us at the Forida Center. Each
is one of us, only in a different form, and can teach us the lesson
of love in a great many ways.
Note:
One night, the Florida Center's resident disciples found a stray dog
at the Center. Because he looked thin and gaunt, and was covered with
fleas and very sick, they arranged for him to rest temporarily at
a cabin on the Center grounds and took him to see a vet the next day.
Since that time, through the residents' attentive nursing, the dog
has regained his health and been named "Smiley."
Actually,
dogs and cats come to and leave the Center all the time. There is
just something about the place that attracts them. Most of the time,
they come when they are injured or malnourished. The resident disciples
first nurse them back to health, then do their best to find the animals'
original owners by posting flyers, asking local vets, neighbors, etc.
If the animals' owners cannot be found, then the residents try to
find them a good home, again, by posting flyers in the area, placing
ads in newspapers, etc.
The Lesson of Love