The Mountain Meditation Group and the Flying Saucer

On a silent spaceship, gentle curves of light skimmed across Earth’s atmosphere. Inside, a group of extraterrestrials—tall beings with pale blue glowing skin and deep eyes—observed through holographic screens. They came from a planet millions of light-years away, where their civilization had advanced beyond imagination. This journey was an assessment: was Earth, this "twin" planet, worthy of connection?

An officer scanned each region and reported, "Commander, we have detected nuclear weapons in many nations. Chemical weapons are being stored. Human psychology is filled with hatred and delusion, selfishness, and increasing violence." The commander fell silent, his eyes dimming. He shook his head and gave the order to leave this planet immediately.

The ship began to turn away. But just then, another signal lit up on the screen. An officer cried out, "Sir, there is a group of more than one thousand young students meditating on Vinh Mountain, at Phat Quang Pagoda!"

The commander froze. He turned back to look at the screen: over a thousand humans sitting still on the mountain peak, eyes closed, breaths slow, minds serene. They were not competing, not fighting, not violent. They simply sat there, directing their mind toward non-self (anatta) and purity.

He whispered softly, "There is still hope for this planet."

The ship did not leave. It hovered in orbit, continuing its observation. Those on the mountain did not know they were being scanned. Some shifted slightly, scratched themselves, or glanced around, but the majority remained perfectly still.

Although this story is merely an imaginative example, it reflects a profound reality. When humans practice meditation, they suggest that all of humanity can step into a new civilization, a new evolution. Throughout history, human evolution has been stimulated by external circumstances: suffering, ambition, and laziness. However, meditative concentration offers an evolution based on a pure mind, on the eradication of greed, hatred and delusion, and selfishness. It is a completely different path.

This brings hope. Not only for a small group, but for an entire planet.

The Meaning of the Story

Human evolution does not come solely from external challenges; it can also arise from internal transformation through meditative concentration, a pure mind, and the realization of non-self (anatta). When a group practices this, they become a small flame, lighting hope for all humanity and revealing a higher civilization. Each person who sits in meditation, even as a personal act, contributes to the collective evolution of our species.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang