"It was not long before the scales fell from my eyes and I understood that the name of JESUS does not represent a technique and has no resemblance to a “mantra”, which is always linked to a Hindu god. I also learnt that every word spoken by Jesus is a message for the whole world. As He speaks to the people through every good work, every kindness, every positive thought, so are the personal words that I heard from His own mouth truly the words of eternal life destined for all humanity – as I read later in the Acts of the Apostles.
"From this point in my life, I can now testify that Jesus Himself provided ample answers to two crucial questions about the nature of humanity, which had always troubled me. The first of these was the problem of forgiveness of sins, which in Buddhist and Hindu teaching means release from the drudgery of the karma and the long chain of reincarnations. In Hindu tradition this chain can be as long as 8,400,000 times. “Come, I have forgiven you everything.” From this statement comes the real freedom that everyone craves: a freedom which is only fulfilled in a personal meeting with and acceptance of Jesus.
"The second issue which had always preoccupied me was the discovery of some technique that would offer a way to salvation or freedom, however you defined it. Now Jesus had told me: “In My name you will always be stronger.” This implies that we have no need of any particular technique for salvation, like mantras, yoga, Asian meditation, or any other esoteric practice, in order to find balance and inner peace.
"I have met some so-called spiritual Christians (including Catholic priests) who dare to teach that, in order to become a good Christian, you’d better accept the help of yoga, Zen and other such techniques. These people are not pastors, but wolves. They are not only naïve, but also co-workers for the destruction of the divine revelation. For such spiritual leaders it is not sufficient to have the name of Jesus: they need Zen or yoga at any price, because they have never known a personal relationship with Jesus. Instead, they have studied theology for a few terms and have assimilated information from books. It is not that book-learning is wrong, for a certain amount of knowledge is needful, but mere study is not the final goal. One must endeavour to meet Jesus in one’s heart, as a Person, face to face.
"We have been created in the image of God. God is love and love requires two persons, otherwise it does not make sense. Human striving towards harmony and love is inspired by God and it makes sense only in Him. It cannot be an activity cut off from the “other” and concentrating on one’s self, as in Buddhist meditation. “To become yourself”, to become what you “are”, means nothing less than to turn towards God, to become one with God. Each Christian does this in his or her own way, with a particular starting-point and a particular route. But all journeys are made with Christ as our companion.
"After having this personal encounter with Jesus, I was able to ask Him about financial, spiritual, bodily, and even practical problems. Nothing is too small or too great for Him. Anything can be used to draw us closer to Christ. I will relate much more in the second part of this book, describing some of these miracles I experienced, for which I praise Him. But when I compare them with the miracle that took place in my heart, all those other miraculous events and gifts I regard as but small things, small way-stations on my journey towards Him.
"Previously, my heart was the place where darkness dwelt. It was a place where I devised plans to dominate and destroy. Now through His grace there had appeared love, understanding, compassion, and Christian mercy. My longing to be “important” gave way rather to humility, which was the most efficient antidote against pride."
