CHINESE MEDITATION OF THE GODDESS QUAN HIN

[Pravin Kumar]

Quan Yin is the most universally beloved of Chinese deities. Also spelled Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, she is the very embodiment of compassionate loving kindness. As the Bodhisattva of Compassion, she hears the cries of all beings.

In many images, she carries the pearls of illumination or pours a stream of healing waters from a vase, blessing her devotees with physical and spiritual peace. She is often shown with a dragon; the age old symbol of the highest spiritual essence, embodygin wisdom, strength, and the divine powers of transformation.

She is said to have taken a vow that she will enter Heaven last of all, denying herself full enlightenment until after all others have completed their cycle of lives.

There are numerous legends that recount the miracles which Quan Yin performs to help those who call on her. Like Artemis, she is a Virgin Goddess who protects women, offers them a religious life as an alternative to marriage and grants children to those who want them.

This brief explanation of the nature of Quan Yin, a true Celestial Bodhisattva, may alas be far from the real truth of her depth of compassion. In dealing with what pertains to mystical perceptions, explanations are seldom satisfactory, so greatly do words distort and diminish the realty they are used to convey. We may, for the moment, put aside the question of Quan Yin's reality; just the sheer beauty of the concept of an exquisitely lovely being whose chief attribute is pure, unwavering compassion is in itself appealing enough to claim our admiration.

Even when brought down to the level of a Goddess - and it is this that painters and sculptors often portray her - Quan Yin is unique among the heavenly hierarchy in being utterly free from pride or vengefulness and reluctant to punish even those to whom a severe lesson would be appropriate. Such beings, however great their demerits, could easily attain rebirth and renewal by calling upon her graces with utter and absolute sincerity; thus, even for one kneeling beneath the executioner's sword already raised to strike, a single heartfelt cry to Quan Yin Bodhisattva would cause the blade to fall shattered to the ground.

By meditating on the qualities of Quan Yin, which everyone contains in potential, we begin to cultivate compassion and a deep sense of service. In doing so we not only help others but also move more peacefully in our world.

Quan Yin Meditation:

Find a comfortable position and close your eyes. Allow your breathing to deepen and your mind and body to relax. Imagine that it is nighttime and that you are on top of a hill looking out over the ocean. The full moon has just risen and the moonlight shimmers on the water. You gaze at the moon for a long time; the moonlight is powerful but soft, and looking at it makes you feel calm and happy.

The moon now begins to get brighter and brighter, so bright you can barely look at it. Gradually, it becomes Quan Yin herself, her whole body surrounded by a glowing aureole. She stands on a lotus that floats on the waves. At the sight of you she smiles a beautiful smile, and tears of happiness shine in her eyes. Imagine her radiance filling you, her strength, her peace and her compassion becoming a part of you. If you repeat her name, your mind will be calm, and she will stay with you.

Finally, it is time for her to leave, and she becomes smaller and smaller. At last the sea and sky vanish too, and you rest in contemplation of the beautiful, empty space that is left. Let yourself become space. When you are ready, come back into your body and slowly stretch. Open your eyes and look at the world about you.

[Duchess1964]

That is a very lovely story ... now, in practice ... sometimes people find it difficult to follow that line of thinking and faith.

[symulhaque]

Yeah...We can make our world peaceful by practicing it.