(Clearwisdom.net) When I heard that a practitioner's court date and trial had been set, I became worried. I would like to share my own experiences with fellow practitioners, and see how we could improve and be more effective in these situations.
After winning a previous court trial, some practitioners asked me: "Did you not expect this result?" I replied directly, "I expected it." Looking back, my answer wasn't very thoughtful, it contained some irritation and a showing-off mentality. Expecting to win was not important. Instead, I think that it would have been more meaningful if more practitioners had attended the trial that day.
1. Positioning Oneself and Sentient Beings In An Upright Manner
Recalling my public hearing, my lawyer's mood was intense, which caused him to give irrelevant answers to the judge's questions. At that time, I was disturbed by my attorney's ineptness. I was concerned that my inexperienced lawyer would not be able to appropriately defend me. I was filled with complaints and grievances.
Later, while doing the meditation exercise, a thought flashed through my mind: Who could really protect practitioners? Suddenly, I realized how seriously my critical thoughts affected me. I had totally forgotten that I was a practitioner and also forgotten about Teacher and Dafa. How could a practitioner ask for salvation from a (yet to be saved) sentient being? Initially, this realization left me in shock. I knew at that moment, that Teacher had helped to cleanse the bad thoughts from me.
I saw the prosecutor before the trial and paid him my regards. The prosecutor was resentful and said: "You don't need to greet me, because I'll be opposing to you in court today." My attorney also told me, "Don't talk to the prosecutor." There were several practitioners in the courtroom who knew how to treat sentient beings. While a Dafa negotiator was discussing some matters with my lawyer, I said to the prosecutor, "Deep inside, I don't condemn your actions; I know that you're just doing your job. We spoke before about what Falun Gong is all about and you affirmed it." The prosecutor showed remorse and he lowered his head. I continued talking to him about his life, work and other matters. We talked for a long time, yet my lawyer didn't intervene. I attribute the harmonious environment in the courtroom to the righteous thoughts created by the practitioners present.
Then the prosecutor said, "Regarding the persecution, there are inconsistencies in our records. I will mention this to the judge." With that reply, I sent out a strong righteous thought: All those present in court today, whether a prosecutor, judge, or lawyer, initially, you can listen only to the truth, because in a human court, you cannot judge practitioners for their conduct, because they are trying to save sentient beings. In the presence of truth, the prosecutor cannot use any excuses to deny the persecution of Falun Gong.
In the field of practitioners' righteous energy, one could feel the effect; there were no hostile emotions between the prosecutor, defendant and attorneys. The atmosphere was relaxed, and could make one forget about making other people's lives miserable.
During the trial, some scenes were quite theatrical. My attorney was so inept and intense at the public hearing; but now he was in high spirits, and delivered a sonorous, powerful defense regarding the cruel persecution. He acted like a completely different person. The prosecutor sat quietly. Practitioners' righteous energy field truly disintegrated any bad factors.
2. Melting Into One Body
I have a very complex and selfish habit; I care little about other practitioners' opinions. Whatever happens to them has nothing to do with me; I care only about my own cultivation. In deeper Fa study, I realized that this is very selfish thinking. I needed to discuss matters with fellow practitioners before the trial date. If I could truly let go of my self-centeredness, and work sincerely with other practitioners to save sentient beings, the end results would turn out quite good.
I was unable to calm down before the court trial date. Then, while performing the meditation exercise, I felt weightless, flying nonstop, hearing birds sing, and saw mountains, rivers and waterfalls. The scenery was exceptionally beautiful and harmonious. I thought about how all different life together could be so beautiful. I continued to fly until I could no longer see my own body, just flowing in the sky. I felt like I had dissolved into the universe. After this experience, I understand how I could do better at the trial.
I used to have a negative attitude when I was explaining the facts to government officials; if the person I was talking to declined to listen, then I no longer wanted to disturb him or her again to prevent irritating them. Later, a fellow practitioner pointed out, "That is an incorrect notion: We are saving sentient beings and we can't let them decide the matter. Besides having strong righteous thoughts ourselves, we need to help sentient beings and build up their righteous thoughts as well." My innermost feelings were shaken after what that practitioner said. Afterward, I went with the practitioner to deliver the application. We arrived during lunchtime, so we sat in the reception room and handed out the Epoch Times newspapers to others who were waiting there. Initially, the office was very noisy, but became quiet once everyone began to read the paper.
3. Maintain An Upright Attitude Facing Sentient Beings
One day I felt strongly about visiting the legal consultation office. The attorney had just resigned from the case, and I wanted to know why. I saw some African businessmen near a subway station. A thought came to me; they should also know the truth that "Falun Dafa is good." I wasn't prepared; I was in the area by coincidence. Perhaps it was Teacher's arrangement. I walked into each shop, shook hands with them in a warm, welcoming manner and gave them some of the Lotus flowers that I carried with me, saying repeatedly "Falun Dafa is good." All the people were excited, and read the message on the book mark that goes with Lotus flower. It reads, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance-- Falun Dafa is Good."
This event really inspired me. Usually, I like to be completely prepared before I start truth clarification, but now I think that my old ideas need to change. In the Fa rectification period, practitioners should maintain one thought -- to save sentient beings. We can't just focus on certain things and neglect other predestined beings that are waiting to be saved.
Clearly, practitioners should focus on saving sentient beings. We are not asking them to carry out any work for us. Of all the government officials I've contacted, none demonstrated a superior attitude. When I told them the truth about how Falun Gong was persecuted, these officials immediately started to work on the case. As practitioners, no matter what position we are placed in by Teacher, or where we position the sentient beings, the higher beings are watching.
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