(Minghui.org) The old forces manage to sabotage Dafa practitioners' cultivation by being very cunning. Sometimes they do not beat or torture practitioners, but interfere with them by making them unable to focus. They can take away the spirit to strive forward in cultivation. They can even force one to do something that tarnishes Dafa's image, and this will increase the karma and diminish the chance of overcoming tribulations.
As a result, even if a person has a good understanding, he or she is unable to control his or her emotions and cannot stop feeling defeated. This feeling is different from previous cultivation experiences. As time passes, the person collapses under the ever-increasing mental pressure.
Doing something that damages Dafa's reputation can make a person feel so ashamed that they want to give up. Somewhat like “smashing a pot to pieces just because it's cracked.” The old forces take advantage of our mistakes by isolating us until we lose strength. Although we might have known in the past we were a particle of Dafa and could pass any test no matter how large, now it is different.
Another way the old forces persecute Dafa practitioners is by interfering with them, making them so foggy headed that they become dejected. Under their influence they are forced to do something against Dafa. Once this happens, the old forces will escalate the persecution.
Their goal is to cause the person so much pain that he or she thinks about giving up cultivation, because giving up cultivation would relieve the pain.
I am eternally grateful that I have never given up cultivation.
I experienced what I just described, and it has taken me two years to reach a state of calm. I have regained my confidence and the strength to be a true cultivator. My emotions are now under my control.
A cultivator must be diligent, and no one can do anything about it if he is not. Becoming diligent after slacking off can only be accomplished through one's own steadfast belief. A person must elevate his understanding, and once he is enlightened, he will change instantly. If he is not careful, he might sink into sullenness and will have a hard time lifting himself out of it.
Lifting myself out of an apathetic state took a rather long time. This could be because I was immature both mentally and emotionally. I formally started cultivation at the age of 12. Although I first came across Dafa and practiced the exercises when I was 7, I didn't have a deep understanding of cultivation at that time.
It has been almost 11 years, and I have fallen down many times. When I encountered tribulations, I knew I could overcome them, and I was always able to pull myself back up again.
Once I did something that almost took my strength away. I did something that a practitioner definitely should not do. I disgraced myself before Master and the gods. I struggled and stumbled for 2 years. I have finally worked through this tribulation and let go of my attachment.
I wrote down my experience to encourage fellow practitioners not to give up just because it is difficult. I know some practitioners are treating cultivation lightly because they have an attachment that they can't let go of. A deep wound will not heal quickly or with just a wave of the hand. Even thought you may be in a great deal of pain, do not give up cultivation. Just quietly do the three things.
If you continue to do the three things, you will discover that your level is gradually elevating. You will gradually overcome the things that you are attached to, until one day they can no longer reach you because your level has reached a new height.
You will suddenly realize the pain has turned into an element for your own improvement, even though the intention of the old forces' arrangement was to destroy you with it. Though the process will take longer than you would probably want or imagine, and the old forces' intention is evil, as long as you persist in cultivating, Master will turn it into an element for your improvement in cultivation. Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that you encounter during your cultivation process, it will transform into an element for your improvement.
To those fellow practitioners who have become lax, I know you don't want to give up cultivation. Perhaps you feel your ability to be steadfast falls short. Once you do something that you should not, your cultivation won't be as smooth as it was before. The tribulations you are about to encounter will also become more difficult to pass, and what you have to endure will also increase.
At this point, do not have doubts. Calm down and silently do the three things well.
You will make it through and you’ll see “the shade of willows, the blooms of flowers, a place to rest my head!" Let's encourage each other!
Fellow practitioners, please kindly point out any deficiencies in my understandings.
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