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Identifying Obstacles in Studying the Fa

Aug. 10, 2005 |   By a practitioner in China

(Clearwisom.net)

There is a common tendency among practitioners nowadays. That is, we do not believe that we are getting sufficient enlightenment from reading Zhuan Falun, so we like to read Teacher's other lectures or books. We often see such kinds of questions asked of Teacher during Fa conferences. Teacher has repeatedly emphasized in his teachings that when studying the Fa, the study of Zhuan Falun is the main thing and other lectures or books are secondary. If Master taught this, why do we still have the tendency to read the other books more?

During the course of our existence, we have gradually constructed a principle to understand new things. This principle is continually reinforced, strengthened, and improved. When we realize something, recognize it or feel very good about it, that is usually because the principle behind it confirmed the understandings we had before, it resonates in our hearts or it clears up our current blurred and superficial understanding. If we cannot get anything from a book, we are unwilling to read it and certainly will not read it repeatedly.

This problem occurs to different degrees among practitioners while studying the Fa, especially from practitioners who regard themselves as very rational. And yet, this original concept and the framework become obstacles for studying the Fa.

Dafa practitioners' cultivation is a process of thoroughly renewing and restructuring oneself. The motivation for us to continue to move forward on the cultivation path comes from Dafa. The basic point of our studying the Fa should also be Dafa, instead of our notions. Master said:

"Today's people can't perceive their own warped thinking because the very nature of people has changed. No matter what cultivation way is adopted, you can only change what they can be aware of, but not what's warped in their very nature." (Teaching the Fa at the Great Lakes Fa Conference in North America)

It is also necessary for us to study the Fa with our own knowledge and deal with the current problems with our rational understandings. After all, everything here in human society was established for Fa-rectification. The onset of cultivation is starting from the basic and surface principles. Our understanding of the Fa is also continually increased and improved. Accepting the Fa conditionally, however, would leave loopholes on our cultivation path. These loopholes have resulted from the factors that we did not realize in our minds.

"Wanting to learn something from the book" is a barrier when we read the Fa. If we excessively depend on the superficial rationality, only the part that we see and understand can be changed, but the part that we do not see and understand cannot be changed. The latter, however, is deeper and more fundamental.

To study the Fa, following Teacher's request, is mainly studying Zhuan Falun. Let's read it with a calm mind, then everything is obtained without pursuit. In the process, whether we realize it or not, everything that is not righteous will be rectified.

To reach my understanding today, I have paid a painful price and taken a detour from my correct path, so I want to share that with everyone. Please kindly correct me if there is anything that is inappropriate.