(Minghui.org) When cultivating, we often experience up and downs because of our human notions—for example, feeling fatigued, depressed, wanting comfort, and such. All of these prevent us from progressing diligently. To avoid these undesirable states, I suggest finding ways that are helpful to a cultivator. Thus, I recommend holding the following thoughts:
I. Falun Dafa Is the Only Way to Solve the Fundamental Problems of Life
A human's ultimate objective is to return to one's true self. Today's people live in the midst of endless desires and sentiments, pursuing stimulation and comfort. They struggle in pain and fight each other to achieve their goals. Not only do they feel pain when failing to see hope, they also have created an enormous amount of karma. Even a millionaire feels an emptiness at the end of his life. The real him knows that it no longer is money that he is after. The human brain can't translate the thought of his main spirit, "I want to rise up in cultivation" into words. The anxiety and insecurity of the main spirit often reflected in the human mind result from feeling lost and not knowing what to expect after death.
Both the main and assistant spirits are eager to learn Falun Dafa. The main spirit is easily influenced by the dazzle and distractions of this society, misled by notions and karma, and unwilling to practice. This leaves the assistant spirit worried and helpless. When a person practices Falun Dafa, his spirits agree with each other. This is reflected in this dimension by the countenance of the man, and shows by his being happy, poised, calm, and righteous. Nothing in this society can change his belief. Because of the Buddha Law, he has hope, his mind is cheerful and bright, and nothing can stop him from holding on to the truth. This should be a Falun Dafa practitioner’s composure. All the main and assistant spirits know that through practice, they will ultimately be saved and freed.
Is the above understanding being selfish? Everything a practitioner does is for himself. But, this is not selfishness. In validating the Fa, practitioners dedicate themselves to saving sentient beings, including their own sentient beings. The beings are saved from being eliminated and they are able to enter the future, which is a good thing. The Fa teaches us that good is rewarded, while doing evil is met with retribution. The reward for being good is not something one gains through selfishness. It is the characteristic of the universe, as Master said,
"...how much Dafa disciples put in is how much they'll get out." ("Teaching the Fa at the 2004 Chicago Conference")
II. Everything Is Taught and Given by Falun Dafa
1. Traditional culture praises saints and righteous people that followed the Confucian principles. Confucianism ultimately is part of Taoism, which contains the principles of a small universe. Falun Dafa contains principles of countless small universes. We practice the most fundamental and immense principles of the universe "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." Saints and righteous people are still ordinary people. We will reach the realms of enlightened beings with the mighty virtues of kings and lords. We are unbelievably fortunate.
2. At this time, no one can reach consummation when practicing in any worldly religion. Nearing the end of Fa rectification, we have limited time. Any misstep we make now can void all our previous achievements. We must have high standards and be diligent in the practice.
III. Falun Dafa Practitioner Is the Most Honored Title in the Universe
We are so fortunate to have been born when the Buddha Fa is being taught, as well as exist at the same time with Teacher and the Fa. This is what we wanted and worked for during all of our past lives. It is also Teacher’s graciousness and care that made us who and what we are. A lot of divine beings at very high levels don't have this opportunity that we have. We must cherish this predestined relationship and progress diligently.
IV. How to Be Diligent
It’s not difficult to be diligent when practicing Falun Dafa. Teacher arranged everything that we encounter as practitioners. We just need to do the three things well. Of course we have our notions and attachments, which we have to eliminate. The fearful thing is that we are unable to sense these notions and attachments, as they are hidden. But, we can't rectify ourselves based on the Fa once we sense them. We were born in the old universe and we are not pure. It is precisely because we have attachments that we can cultivate. We can only improve while cultivating by eliminating our attachments.
The notions, karma, habitual ways of thinking, and the old forces’ interference make our tests hard to pass and the tribulations hard to overcome. At these moments, we must quickly find the notions, expose, catch, suppress and eliminate them, instead of keeping them hidden because it hurts to let them go. The more you let go, the more Teacher will help you. We need to look within unconditionally; this is the key to being a true practitioner, and the fundamental difference between a practitioner and an ordinary person.
During the test or tribulation, if we can't treat it as a practitioner and refuse to let go of our attachments, we miss the opportunity to improve. Do not forget that Teacher has arranged our path and there are no accidents or things that are irrelevant to our practice. Teacher can't take our attachments and notions from us if we do not want to let them go.
Master said,
"Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
“It is a principle of this universe that nobody should interfere with what you pursue. If you do not want to practice cultivation, no one can force you—that would be the same as doing a wrong deed. Who can force you to change your heart? You must discipline yourself on your own."(Lecture Three, Zhuan Falun)
A cultivator must pass tests and tribulations. Those who are weak will hide them and view them as stumbling blocks, while the diligent ones will view them as stepping stones. Only if we use the Fa weapon Teacher gave us, which is looking within, can we break loose from the chains that hold us down in the human realm and head back to our homes.
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