(Minghui.org) I felt bad when I realized that some practitioners I know fail to study the Fa every day; some do not study it for days; others rarely study it. Some said that, because they do not know how to look inward, they can't see where they've fallen short in cultivation. Some have been lingering at a certain level and look outward instead of examining themselves when they encounter difficulties, but they don't realize it.
Because of where I am in my cultivation, the only way I can let them know what I've observed is to write about my own experiences. I hope this can be helpful and will motivate me to do better as well.
Master Li has reminded us repeatedly to study the Fa and look inward, but I failed to do this. However, Master is so merciful that, as long as I manage to follow the requirements just a little bit, the power of Dafa will manifest.
I remember once, during a New Year get-together when I was wishing one of my relatives a happy new year, she mentioned something I did in front of everyone. I was caught by surprise and didn't know how to respond. After I thought about it, I knew that I should clarify the truth to them, but I felt something holding me back. Unfortunately, I didn't do well.
On my way home, I was upset and had negative thoughts about that relative. After a while I realized that, as a cultivator, I should not be moved no matter what happens and that I can clarify the truth effectively only when I am calm. I realized that my thoughts about the relative were wrong and that I was looking at it from the perspective of my notions.
I asked myself why I was upset and realized I must have some issue that I hadn't identified. Gradually my negative thoughts disappeared. I focused on looking inward and found a deeply hidden attachment that had been hard to see.
I immediately remembered Master's teaching,
“The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts.” (“Drive out Interferences” from Essentials for Further Advancement)
After I got home, I began to copy Zhuan Falun. I tried not to think about anything. Instead, I just focused on copying the Fa. I didn't stop until after midnight.
When I woke up the following morning, since I still could not identify my attachment, I decided to continue to copy the Fa. As I wrote, I felt that the Fa was disintegrating my issues.
When I finished copying: “...despite his putting you in this awful situation where you cannot even raise your head.” (Zhuan Falun)
I suddenly enlightened to something. So I put my pen down and tried to memorize the sentence. As I repeated the sentence again and again and measured myself against it, I felt it permeating my thoughts as I searched for the underlying issues.
Guided by the Fa principles, my thoughts became more and more clear. Finally I discovered that I had a problem: Whatever happened, my first reaction was to worry about how people would look at me. I frequently felt guilty or embarrassed. I realized that I cared too much about what people thought of me and if they are judging me, so I was easily moved by their reactions. As I continued to commit the sentence to memory, I could feel my attachment to being easily embarrassed disintegrating.
As I continued to memorize the Fa, my main consciousness became stronger and stronger and I was able to push out all interfering thoughts when I meditated. I also felt a thick layer of substance dissipate and be replaced with a warm and peaceful feeling. I felt grateful to that relative. I realized that Master used what she said to point out my attachment and help me elevate.
Through this experience, I came to understand the importance of studying the Fa well. Now when I encounter conflicts, I can remain calm and I have more tolerance in dealing with them. I can also remember to look inward.
I would like to end with a quote from Master:
“In order for Dafa disciples to walk their paths well and do the three things well, they must study the Fa well and take Fa-study seriously. The regions that have done well saving sentient beings and validating Dafa, and where great changes have transpired, are always places where people have studied the Fa well. And the Dafa disciples who have improved quickly are always those who have made Fa-study a priority. That is because the Fa is the foundation; it is what's fundamental for Dafa disciples; it is what ensures everything; and it is the avenue by which a human being journeys toward godhood. Thus I would like to take the opportunity of this Fa conference in Australia to tell all Dafa disciples around the world: Whether you are a new or veteran student, all the same you must not neglect Fa-study on account of being busy. Don't just go through the motions when you study the Fa. You should study with a concentrated mind, and you must really be studying. There have been so many lessons involving this. I hope all of you do well on the final leg of the journey. The future will soon be displayed before [the world's] eyes. (To the Australia Fa Conference)
Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions or understandings. All content published on this website are copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
Category: Improving Oneself
