(Minghui.org) Early one morning, I had a vivid dream: When the bell rang, a teacher walked into the classroom and announced the start of an open book exam. I wrote some words on my examination paper. I looked around, picked up my paper, walked over to a colleague and spoke to him. We walked out to the balcony and chatted warmly about everyday things. I complained that the words on the examination paper were too small to be legible. I said that even though they were shiny and golden, I could not see them clearly.
My colleague said, “Why didn't you prepare earlier? As soon as I saw the questions yesterday, I started to look for the answers. I finished writing my answers.” I said, “Let me see yours.” When I raised my head I saw the teacher leaving with the other classmates' examination papers. I opened the window and shouted, “Teacher! Teacher!” But she left without answering me. I looked down at my paper and saw that I had only written a few words.
When I woke up I clearly remembered the words, “Why didn't you prepare earlier?”
Before I had this dream, I thought I had done well in cultivation. This vivid dream warned me about my indifference about passing cultivation tests, attachment to everyday society's affairs, not paying attention to time and complaining about my tribulations.
When I looked inward I found that I was not that diligent. I realized that our daily cultivation is actually an examination. We are carrying out the test from our prehistoric vows. Just as in the dream, how could I pass the test if I had not prepared beforehand and did not finish filling out the exam? If the deadline for our time to cultivate is reached, just like the end of the test in my dream, our time will not be extended.
Time is precious and must be treasured. We must treasure every moment. This precious opportunity to assist Master in Fa-rectification and to save sentient beings will be gone forever if we let it pass us by.
Master is compassionately offering salvation to all sentient beings. Cultivation is serious and the tests are strict and must follow the standards. Time is precious. There will be no second chance for each practitioner.
I hope each of us will think about what we do, how we think and speak every day. Each day is a cultivation test. Don't waste time like I did in my dream!
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Category: Improving Oneself
