Hi Sandy
I live in Australia too and can emphasise with what you're saying - at the same time having been honoured to have given myself the treat of attending last October's retreat which was an absolutely life changing experience for me in many ways.
I'm sure Shawn will respond, but I'll add my 2 cents worth as well and say that my understanding is, while we may not (from afar) experience the awe inspiring power and exhileration and total humility that come from being in the immediate vicinity of Master Lin's amazing energy, knowledge, compassion, love, forgiveness, wonderful sense of humour and total kindness, (and it is truly awesome and he is so humble within that awe),we are not really separate anyway and that the depth of our learning and experiences will increase with the depth and understanding of our practice.
So, what I'm saying is that's it's my humble opinion that although you may not get to spend time with Master Lin in the person, you may progress to Levels 3 and 4 and whatever, through your deepening practice, and your belief that he is with you as closely as he can be in the circumstances.
