(Clearwisdom.net)
Teacher told us in "Zhuan Falun" that
"the fundamental reason for one’s failing to increase gong is this: Of the two words ‘cultivation’ and ‘practice,’ people only pay attention to practice and ignore cultivation. …it is something beyond the level of everyday people. You will thus be expected to follow supernormal principles. What’s required of you, then? You must cultivate your inner self and not pursue things externally." He also said, "To truly practice cultivation, you must cultivate your mind. This is called xinxing cultivation."
The followings are some of my personal experiences.
1. Cultivating the Inner Self is the Path One Must Take to Get Rid of Attachments
Teacher has given us a ladder to ascend to heaven, Zhuan Falun. It lets us, people who had dropped to this filthy world, get rid of fame, self interest, and the sentimental mentality so that we can shed the human shell. Cultivation is a difficult process: the various feelings and desires are like countless ropes that tie us down. What to do? Cultivating one's inner self is the magic weapon.
2. Cultivating the Inner Self is the Key to Getting Rid of Selfishness
Selfishness is the root of many attachments. In order to reach the state of genuine unselfishness, one must look within instead of pursing things externally. The process of cultivation is the key to shedding human attachments. One must cultivate to reach the state of unselfishness. Aren’t all the attachments for fame, self interest, and sentimentality rooted in selfishness? Don’t the attachments of showing off, competing, jealousy, and zealotry all come from selfishness? Therefore, cultivating our inner self is both the path that one must take to get rid of attachment and the magic weapon to reach the state of genuine unselfishness.
3. Cultivating the Inner Self Allows One to Accept All Kinds of Criticism
People all have their own notions, world outlooks, values, and various thoughts. These notions result in differences between people. Being able to listen to different opinions and being able to apply the standard of the Fa to one’s thoughts and behaviors are part of cultivation. When one is able to search within, how hard can it be to listen to criticism?
Of course, one should not go to extremes when listening to criticism. It is not like whenever others say something, one immediately follows. If one wants to show off that he/she is able to take criticism or is afraid of making mistakes, then it is a lack of opinion. It is not cultivation, but protecting oneself. Dafa disciples must use the Fa as their guide when searching within. Only then can one cultivate righteously and not enlighten down a wrong path.
These are my personal understandings. Please point out anything inappropriate.