Chapter 27: Earning Respect from the Spirits
through Righteousness
Written by: Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen
Lu
Translated by: Tanni Liu
Edited by: Luljeta Subasic
Proofread by: Mimosa
Chapter 27: Earning Respect from the Spirits through Righteousness
With the intention of obtaining psychic power, a doctor came to
visit me all the way from Argentina. He also made a great vow that
he would use the psychic power for the benefit of other people.
I told this doctor that it is up to one's karma whether one becomes
psychic or not. When karma ripens, things will take care of themselves.
If there is no suitable karma, it is of no use asking for such power.
Moreover, the psychic power cannot be gained in one move. I had
to go through numerous trials and ordeals to achieve what I now
have. Although intuition comes suddenly, there is an order to its
increment. The minor achievement I have attained today is the result
of numerous hardships--blood, sweat and tears.
There were a lot of people with similar intentions as the doctor
who sought my assistance. They hoped to accomplish within minimal
time the highest attainment. They wished to have the ability to
use extrasensory perception to help people. These people never realize
that although the existence of the spiritual realm is real, it is
not within our power to choose to be psychic. We do not choose them,
but they choose us. In every possible way, they are very much above
us. Humans are small, stupid and ignorant compared to highly accomplished
spirits.
Human beings tend to make judgments based on their own biases and
prejudice. Yet, they often fail to demand of themselves such qualities
as virtuousness, let alone cultivate a heart full of beauty and
kindness. They take the wrong approach, which is to force the spiritual
realm to satisfy their desires, in turn greatly exposing their selfish
nature. These people are unrealistic in their thinking. As a matter
of fact, when their foundation is not well established, no obvious
accomplishment will manifest.
Being aware of the nature of spirits, I realize that spirits cohabit
with humans and do not tolerate dishonesty and deceit. The true
nature of spirits is righteous; they do not tolerate being neglected
or joked around with. This is very important. It is not my intention
to sound like I am higher than anyone else. I am simply sharing
the basic understanding of coming into contact with the spiritual
realm.
Please do not misunderstand me. Spirits will not give you everything
that you ask for. There is no such easy thing on this earth. First,
you have to acquire their admiration and win their respect. In order
to achieve this, you have to know the principal of being a righteous
person. In conduct, you must constantly engage yourself in self-reprimand,
self-reproach and self-introspection. You must constantly correct
your biased mind. Only then can you fully enter a state of selflessness,
and return to a state of innocence and kindness.
If you want to live peacefully with spirits, you have to earn your
respect through your righteousness. There is mutual respect and
there cannot be any sloppiness, or anything done against principal.
Not only do you have to be a person of moral character, but you
must also have a warm and sincere heart to communicate with them.
If you behave righteously to earn respect, this is better and more
effective than anything. The virtuous spirits will be happy to accept
it.
Please do not think that they would give me everything that I ask
for. Their giving is not blind. If we want to become psychic, we
have to rely on ourselves first. It is no joke.
Do not think you can manipulate them, because their perception is
much clearer than that of humans. They are not slaves to humans!
