(Clearwisdom) Teacher said when teaching the Fa (1) at the 2003 Atlanta Conference,
"I think when you study the Fa you should just study the Fa, and no one should interfere. That's because if you don't cultivate yourself well, you won't have mighty virtue in anything you do."
I believe that interference occurs among practitioners because of several causes; one is that overseas practitioners have too much to do, and another is insufficient Fa study.
I began practicing Falun Dafa in the summer of 1995. By July 20, 1999, I had followed Teacher's suggestion to memorize Zhuan Falun, Zhuan Falun Vol. II, Hongyin, Essentials for Further Advancement, half of Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa, and many chapters in other books. After July 20, I further memorized many of Teacher's Fa-rectification articles such as "Touring North America to Teach the Fa." No matter how long or how difficult Teacher's articles are, I memorize them with no hesitation as soon as I get them.
I recall the time around July 20, 1999, when the persecution began. The authorities dragged me from my workplace and sent me to a brainwashing class, all because I was able to recite Zhuan Falun [main teachings of Falun Dafa]. Each of the abducted practitioners was confined to a single cell. We were not allowed to talk, sing, step out of the cell, and neither were we allowed to see our family members or even change our clothes. I was confined to the cell around the clock, without seeing any sunlight for almost 6 months. I was pushed to the limit and almost mentally collapsed. It was during this time that thought karma and other attachments stirred me up the most. The beatings and verbal abuse day in and day out, plus the suffering of not having one's freedom, made me feel one day that I was going insane. I began to recite the Fa and told myself, "Calm down." I told the filth trying to take over my mind (at that time I only knew it as thought karma): "I am comprised of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Every cell of mine is Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance and I will never become insane." I kept repeating, "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance" in my mind. This way I passed the most difficult day and the days to follow. I told my fellow practitioners later, "My life truly consists of the Fa. I cannot depart from the Fa for a single second."
Practitioners in China can all appreciate the importance of studying the Fa. In the evil environment, one cannot succeed without memorizing the Fa. Practitioners used to write the Fa on walls or any scrap of paper while they were subjected to brainwashing, in jails, or labor camps. Some practitioners who were not incarcerated wrote Teacher's articles on a cloth or tissue paper and would then sew it to the clothes that they sent into the labor camp. Eventually the labor camp authorities discovered these methods and would soak the clothes in water that family members sent in, or would tear up all the cotton batting in quilted jackets that people sent in. So people say that memorizing the Fa is the safest way.
When I studied the Fa, I felt that my surroundings would become very quiet as soon as I calmed down. I believe that it was my mind that was quiet and the interference outside could not affect me. Didn't Shakyamuni say when Qieye tried to hurt him with a fire dragon: "My mind is clear and peaceful and I will not be hurt by outside harm." When my mind was unsettled, tired, or being bothered by thought karma, I would remember Teacher's words, "You should study it with a peaceful mind" ("A Heavy Blow" from Essentials For Further Advancement), and then I would be able to calm myself down. When my mind began to drift away, I always thought of Teacher's words: "Each word of 'Buddha Amitabha' appears before his eyes." (Zhuan Falun).
I would recite the newly memorized Fa. On my way to work, I would recite the Fa once. When I went to bed, I would recite the Fa once that I memorized during the day. I would recite the Fa while I was walking, riding a car or a bicycle, doing chores around the house, or during breaks. If I made a mistake or forgot it, I would check the book. As time went on, basically all factors that interfered with my Fa study disappeared. Now, although telling the facts about Falun Gong to people and sending forth righteous thoughts takes up a lot of time, I can still study the Fa as I did in the past. My family members do not practice Falun Dafa and will interfere with me sometimes when I am sending forth righteous thoughts or explaining the facts about Falun Gong to people, but by and large they do not bother me when I study the Fa. I feel it is good that some practitioners suggested that we study the Fa after we have finished all work that needs to be done. But I feel that if one wants to be able to study the Fa without being interfered with, one needs to follow what Teacher said: "Study it with a peaceful mind."
Why do I concentrate my effort on memorizing the Fa in my Fa-study? I remember that Teacher said in the early days that one's thoughts can drift away even when his eyes are watching the object (not a direct quote). My mind drifts away often when I read, so I memorize the Fa and do not need to read it as often. Teacher has also asked practitioners to memorize the Fa on many occasions, including in Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa. In my experience of memorizing the Fa over these years, I have found that spending time memorizing the Fa does not slow down my Fa study at all.
(1) Fa: Law and principles; the teachings of Falun Dafa.
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