How did I first enter spiritual practice, from Guanyin recitation to the Lady of the Nine Heavens?

My path formed gradually through connected affinities. I did not know from the beginning that I would become a teacher. My mother approached Guanyin, and as a child I recited Buddha names, the Heart Sutra, Universal Gateway Chapter, and Great Compassion Mantra. Looking back later helped me understand their influence.

Graduating in 1996 at twenty, I wanted military service before considering study and work, rather than keep taking family money. On assignment-lottery day I recited Guanyin's name from early morning until the draw and received a northern unit I considered favorable, later doing clerical work. I saw this as the Bodhisattva's care. It does not mean hours of recitation guarantee everyone's preferred draw.

In the military I met a spiritually sensitive junior surnamed Wang, later called Teacher Wang. Once he asked me to call home about my mother's health. Her account corresponded with his description, which struck me and increased curiosity about mediumship. This was a personal event, not authority for medical diagnosis from perceptions.

After discharge I worshiped where his mother enshrined the Lady of the Nine Heavens. Also a medium, she wrote my name on yellow paper, circled Xuan, and smiled without fully explaining. I did not understand then and gradually explored the affinity through practice. Having Xuan in a name cannot determine a spiritual lord. Early sitting and sensing energy also brought fear; understanding was not immediate.

Later my grandmother said in a dream to take refuge in Kṣitigarbha. Teacher Wang interpreted it through his cultivation context as recognizing a lord and returning to roots, then asked Sister Chen to guide flowers, fruit, and incense in approaching the Lady of the Nine Heavens. The dream named Kṣitigarbha; Wang's interpretation and guidance led toward the Lady. Kṣitigarbha also became deeply connected with my later practice.

Recognition did not immediately make me feel special. Gradual closeness and practice later made the Lady feel like family, mother, and teacher. The draw, military service, and encounters were separate events then; only afterward did they feel connected as a path. Others need not repeat the same dreams, perceptions, and rites to have affinity.

Looking back, confidence clearly accumulated through many experiences. Initially worshiping and helping, I understood little and watched seniors' movement curiously. Practice, books, and questions to elders gradually connected feelings with principles. Beginning at twenty did not mean already understanding everything.

Early on the Lady also guided through me. Later, considering boundaries with newcomers, I assigned some Mother Goddess transmission work to female disciples while guiding nearby. This was one arrangement during Sheng Zhen Men's development. Her affinity as my teacher has always remained.