(Clearwisdom.net) I started studying Falun Dafa during the first half of 1998. Over the past 10 years, I have encountered many tests and tribulations, some of them very difficult.
When I started to distribute fact sheets about the practice and the persecution, I had a lot of fear. Generally, I was afraid to go out. Hence, I spent a lot of time studying the Fa because I knew that this was the only way to raise my understanding and remove the fear. Every time I went out, I asked Teacher for guidance and sent forth righteous thoughts. Gradually, the fear in my mind lessened. Of course, there were ups and downs during the process. I know that by following the paths Teacher set for us, we can overcome the old forces' arrangements.
After I watched the video lecture, "Fa-Teaching Given to the Australian Practitioners," I understood that when I go out to validate the Fa, I must first check within myself for problems in addition to sending forth righteous thoughts. If we can think and act righteously and have complete faith in Dafa and Teacher, there will be nothing to fear. When evil is obstructing us, we should have firm, righteous thoughts.
The following are two examples I wish to give regarding the problems we might face while validating the Fa:
One time while doing the Falun Standing Stance exercise, I felt dizzy and fell to the ground. I realized that I must ask Teacher for support and send forth righteous thoughts to dissolve the evil forces. After a while, I was able to gradually stand up and continue with the exercises. At that time, only my spouse was with me. She asked, "Are you all right ?" I said, "Yes." As long as we have faith in Teacher and the Fa, there cannot be any interference. After I finished with the exercises, I felt fine and was able to continue with my Fa study as usual.
During October of last year, I went out with my grandson after dinner to distribute the fact sheets. While walking through an area in which a sewer was under construction, I fell into a well. With my hands I could not touch the surrounding wall or reach the opening of the well above me. Immediately, I asked Teacher for help. As the thought passed through my head, I felt as if someone was lifting me up, and I was able to reach the opening of the well. I then climbed out of the well without much difficulty. As I was getting out, I decided that I must complete the task that I had come out to do. Gradually, the pain from the fall went away. Then, my grandson and I continued with our task. As I recall, the well was deeper than the height of an average person. It should not be possible for a person of my height to get out without help. I have encountered many similar miracles in the past.
Regarding personal cultivation, sometimes I failed to follow the Fa, but I firmly believe what Teacher said in "Teaching the Fa at the Western U.S. International Fa Conference" in 2005:
So as a cultivator, what is truly remarkable is when you can be steadfast and have righteous thoughts so firm that nothing can sway you. Be solid and firm like diamond, or granite, and then nothing can affect you--evil will be afraid at the mere sight of you. If upon encountering trying circumstances your thinking can be truly righteous, then, when faced with the evil's persecution and when faced with interference, just one sentence of yours fortified with steadfast righteous thoughts can instantly make the evil disintegrate (applause), and it will make those who are being used by the evil turn and flee, it will make the evil's persecution of you dissolve, and it will make the evil's interfering with you disappear without a trace." (official translation)
My understanding is that Teacher made these statements so we would know how to protect ourselves. They are the most powerful and effective tools for self-protection. If fellow practitioners can memorize these statements, know their meaning and use them to strengthen righteous thoughts, we shall be able to eliminate fear and move towards consummation.
This is my personal opinion. I hope fellow practitioners will kindly point out anything that is improper.
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