(Minghui.org) People tell me that I look 15 years younger than my age. Although I am 75 years old, I do not have wrinkles or age spots. I realize that it is due to my long-term memorization of the Fa and solidly cultivating myself.
Master said:
“The only path that lies before you, the disciples of Dafa, is one of real cultivation. There is no other path.” (“What is a Dafa Disciple” from Teaching the Fa at the Conference XI)
I think that solid cultivation covers a wide range of possibilities. I cannot fully convey my understanding due to my limited education, but I will briefly describe how I cultivate .
Studying the Fa with a Humble and Respectful Mind
Master said: “Every single word in my books has my image and Law Wheel …” (Zhuan Falun)
It feels as if I am joining a grand practice site whenever I open the treasured book, Zhuan Falun. Countless enlightened beings and Falun look at me with compassion each time I read it, and I am bathed in Master’s light.
In front of Master’s picture, I dare not have any bad thoughts. I dare not sit with a slouched body when I study the Fa. I cannot see the layers upon layers of Buddhas, Daos and Gods who watch me, but I truly feel them. I know I have to read the Fa with a humble and respectful mind.
Memorizing the Fa
I kept working on memorizing the Fa for 10 years, so I could validate it. I required myself to memorize it with undivided attention. In the beginning, I memorized each sentence, one after another, but forgot the first sentence after I finished remembering the second, and even gave up a few times.
Master said:
“You said that you can't remember the Fa that you studied--that's all right. Let's say you don't remember after the first reading and you still don't remember after the second reading, then put your heart into studying and you will definitely make a breakthrough. If you truly give your best and still can't recall it, then it is a test that has been placed in front of you. If that is not the case and your not remembering is caused by not paying enough attention, then the issue at hand is for you to become more diligent.” (Teaching the Fa in San Francisco, 2005)
I was shocked when I read the above. As an elderly practitioner, I had formed a human notion, which was that my ability to memorize was not good because I was getting older. I always forgot to do things and this seemed natural for everyday people.
As a cultivator, I had to break through this notion. I treated it as needing to pass a tribulation. I have encouraged myself to keep memorizing the Fa since then. Now I memorize one lecture every day.
The Fa Changes My Thinking
I kept looking for my attachments to change my thinking and improve while memorizing the Fa.
Master said: “And for a cultivator, if you assimilate to this nature you’re someone who has attained the Dao. The truth is really just that simple.” (Zhuan Falun)
I asked myself, “How much have I assimilated to these characteristics? What other problems do I still have? I did not apply this Fa to anyone else but myself.”
Master also said:
“So what’s 'great endurance'? To be a practitioner you should, for starters, be able to 'not hit back when attacked, not talk back when insulted'. You have to endure.” (Zhuan Falun),
After reading the above Fa, I thought how could I achieve that? Sometimes when I was blamed for something, I did not feel calm, and my mind was disturbed, even though no one hit me or scolded me.
Master stated:
“Cultivation is something you do right in the thick of tribulations. They’ll test whether you can sever your emotions and desires, and they’ll see if you can take them lightly. If you’re attached to those things you won’t be able to finish your cultivation.” (Zhuan Falun)
I used to be attached to my children and relatives. Now I can let go of most of that sentiment, but I still have a tiny bit left, which is far from Dafa’s requirement. Memorizing the Fa helps me find all my attachments. Some attachments are obvious; others are more hidden and have to be removed repeatedly.
Master specifically mentioned the attachments of showing off, jealousy and zealotry in Zhuan Falun, so I knew these attachments are very serious. Whenever I felt that I was jealous, I repeatedly memorized the Fa lecture on jealousy. I realized that Master’s Fa has mighty power that helped me cast off those bad substances. The results were very good.
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
