During
the Christmas 2003 holiday, I was blessed to participate in a two-day
retreat at the San Jose Center in California, which is home to a large
Aulacese-American community. To be a white “snowflake” among
the yellow “cornflakes” was a fascinating cultural experience.
Happily, I was invited into everyone’s fathomless heart, demonstrating
that there really is “One Love, One World,” regardless of
color or culture.
On the afternoon
of Christmas Day, a group of initiates put up holiday decorations and
lights to bring a festive air to the Center. It had been raining on
and off throughout the day, and as we worked in the kitchen and dining
areas, a rainbow appeared right before the entrance to the meditation
hall, stretching from in front of the steps to the driveway entrance
gate! It manifested colors more intense than any rainbow I had ever
seen, and when I looked into it, it seemed to glow more brightly as
though some additional power were surging through it. Master was surely
showing us that She can manifest in any form She wishes, thus keeping
our minds wide open. She often reminds us not to stay fixed on a single
viewpoint, joking that we cannot keep up with Her because She is too
fast.
Brother David, who
was helping with the decorations, first pointed out the rainbow to everyone,
and the very next moment, another one appeared right behind it! It was
the first time that he had ever seen two rainbows appear together so
he began to run around in circles, screaming and shouting with tears
in his eyes, just like a child. Then the cooking team came running over,
pointing at the amazing sight and shouting in Aulacese. Although I was
unable to understand their words, I grasped God’s universal language,
which was flowing through the brothers and sisters and radiating out
into the Ether.
The overall atmosphere
of the retreat was relaxed and cheerful with everyone appearing to be
in samadhi in a simple but profound way. Blessed are those who come
to know Supreme Master Ching Hai; for the two-day event in San Jose
was drenched in Her deep, unconditional Love. So thank You, Master,
for your boundless blessings.
Afterwards I was
inspired to write this poem:
Dancing
Beauty
Oh, Thy dust shows one how boundless
Thou art
For God has given Thee Hiers beauty;
I see it dancing in Thee.
Invisible
spirit of beauty is what Thou art
To have sight of such a rainbow.
With colors of such intensity.
I, one day a saint to be,
For they say saints are sinners who never gave up,
Look forth to bathe with thee.
Humble
art Thou for this is just by the by,
Like God Hirmself, Who owns the whole universe,
But in silence, Both keep in the background.