(Clearwisdom.net) When I first started cultivating, I found it surprising that most truth-clarifying efforts were primarily focused on politicians and related organizations of the US government. I eventually realized that the way in which Chinese people view the government—in the US as well as other countries, including their own—is not the same as how Westerners (especially Americans) view the government.
Historically in China, the government has been truly powerful. It has truly been the ultimate in authority. After growing up in that environment, one is therefore likely to believe that it is the same in other countries as well. The truth is, in this country especially, the media is more powerful than any person in the government—including the President. Because of the rights of our constitution, the "right" words out of the "right" mouths, can either put a person in power or destroy him.
I've thought and often said, "If we truly want to reach the people of the world, we need to do it from the ground up." At that point, I believed it was necessary to reach everyone, not just those who might be in a position to actually "end the persecution." The literal meaning of the term "grassroots movement" is that it is aimed at the average person. Incidentally, this is the way that Dafa originally spread in China—by word of mouth.
As I was just starting cultivation in Dafa, though, my words were not taken seriously by anyone, and so I assumed I must be mistaken. I followed along with the ideas that everyone seemed to think best, namely, that we clarify the truth to those officials in the government that might actually be able to "do something."
Now, six and a half years into my cultivation, I realize I was wrong. I should not have blindly followed others to do whatever they felt was best just because they did not have the same understanding as I did. Didn’t I enlighten to something because that is what I was responsible for?
Over these past six-plus years, I have seen situation after situation where the media was only looked at as a tool to help us "stop the persecution" and not, as I believe they should have been, as an organization of sentient beings waiting to be saved. In fact, recently I took part in a Public Forum, where the press was all but ignored in favor of a senator who thought that Charles Lee was Master Li. The reporter in question, who was from the main local newspaper, then wrote a story that wasn’t much bigger than a caption for a photograph.
After this event, I thought to myself, "Why didn’t I make this person’s understanding of the truth my responsibility?" Instead, I figured that whoever had organized the event and invited the press should make sure that they felt welcome—including the speakers themselves. However, since my understanding of this issue was not the same as others, then wasn’t it my responsibility to follow my understanding (my path) to do what was necessary? I again let myself be led by others’ understanding, and so I failed to do what I should have done.
Even though I saw where I had failed, I still did not take it seriously and allowed myself to blame others. I felt that we should all be able to see this issue the same and we should all do better on this issue. I didn’t want to accept that this was only my issue.
For example, when I first started writing for The Epoch Times, I felt that this was a great way for me to use my writing abilities to help do my part for Dafa, because others felt that this was what I should do with those abilities. I have always had an ability to write and can communicate in that way very effectively. Others have also told me this, both ordinary people and cultivators.
Even though I had realized a long time ago that a lot of ordinary newspaper articles are not that well-written, I never felt that I should try to do that kind of work. I felt intimidated, and I didn’t want to be involved in that kind of "competition." Even though I had been given this ability, I did not want to accept the responsibility it entailed, so I never tried writing—even free-lance—for any ordinary newspapers, even though I knew I had the ability to do it.
Writing for The Epoch Times was different, though; I knew that I wasn’t dependent on it for survival, I didn’t have to worry about getting fired, and most of the time, I could write whatever I wanted. It was very convenient. It was very comfortable. When I was busy, I could just take a break, and when I had more time, I could write more. If I didn’t want to do a particular thing, I could just refuse. I didn’t want to consider the possibility that Master wanted more from me.
Now, I realize that I need to move into that area. The people in the media are people that need to be saved, they are people that need to have a path for the future, and they are people that may be wanting to do something for Dafa. I need to accept this as my responsibility.
Now when I send an article to be published in The Epoch Times, I will also send it to other local media so that it can be considered for publication in ordinary newspapers. I will actively seek to write for ordinary media so that my words can benefit them, and they can come into contact with a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple who can clarify the truth to them.
I would also like to encourage others to let go of any fears to help the existing media in our world become better with our guidance. Even the tiniest, most insignificant article written by a Dafa disciple can make a huge difference and a huge impact.
I am sorry that I do not have any relevant quotes from Zhuan Falun or from Master’s other lectures on the Fa for this article. The article is, of course, based on what part of the Fa I have been able to assimilate to at this point. I think that most practitioners can judge for themselves what is righteous and what is not, so I will let those practitioners who read this decide for themselves if my words are righteous or not, or what parts may be good or not so good.
Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions or understandings. All content published on this website are copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
Category: Journeys of Cultivation
