Selected
Questions and Answers |
Renouncing
the World Depends
on Personal Factors
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, New York, USA,
August 4, 1999 (Originally in English) Videotape #664
Q:
In our practice of the Quan
Yin Method, You recommend that we not become hermits and that we
go out so that we can benefit society as well as ourselves. I know
I have a natural tendency to be by myself and stay away from the
outside world because I'm really sensitive to the negative energies
around me. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to
avoid some of that negative energy. |
M: Don't worry; the more you meditate, the stronger and stronger you'll become. Then even if you're in more negative surroundings, you can still be yourself. Of course you'll become distracted now and again. But then it's up to you: If you want to be a hermit and you can afford it, go ahead. Go to the Himalayas or shut yourself up in a cave; who will care?
It's just that I can't advocate anything extreme; you must understand this. Because most of us are family-oriented, and we already have a family or we're going to have a family. So I can't sit in the world and advocate leaving the world; that won't do. Most people can survive both; they can take care of their family and practice spiritually. And they feel stable and strong living within this contradiction They feel that they can steady themselves in the turbulence and that's their challenge. But if you feel you can't bear it, then find a way to do what you want.
Q:
So if you have a strong desire
there's nothing wrong with going off by yourself somewhere and
meditating? |
M: Yes, sure. If you can afford it and if you don't harm anyone, do it. It's OK. Where are you going off to? (Laughter)
Q:
Maybe the Himalayan
mountains, who knows? |
M: OK, if you like it and you can afford to take care of yourself. If there's no problem with your family or anything and no one bothers you, it's OK. But most people have the responsibility of a family. If they left their family to go to the Himalayas, the energy of attachment would still be pulling them and I'm not sure if they could sit still in the Himalayas. (Laughter) That's the problem!
You can try. Any of you can try leaving your family for a week and see what happens. They won't even have to telephone you; they'll just call you in your head: (Master speaks in a deeply echoing voice) "Daddy, come home!" (Audience laughs and applauds.)
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