(Minghui.org) I came across a rare opportunity in May 2015. Someone gave me a Falun Dafa Exercise Instruction DVD. When doing the exercises, I felt a very strong energy field and relaxed physically and mentally.
Then, a Falun Dafa practitioner gave me a book called Zhuan Falun. In this book, I found the answers to my questions about qigong practice. I learned that practitioners should focus on improving their character. This was the righteous way of a cultivation practice I had been trying to find for many years!
Replacing Virtue with Cultivation Energy
My family was very poor when I was young. But, I was granted a loan and was able to get a university education. After I graduated, I was very ambitious and started my own business. I was consumed by thoughts about running my business well, so that I could own a car, a house and a savings account. Unexpectedly, I reached my goal very quickly.
Then I wanted my business to go into the capital market. Again, I was successful and gained fame and wealth. Everything went smoothly.
Teacher said,
“Why is this De so precious? Everyone knows that elderly people in the East all say that only by having De can there be good fortune. This good fortune includes several aspects: being a high-ranking official, making a lot of money, owning houses, having land and happiness etc. They are all traded with that De.” (Lecture in Sydney)
Master's words helped me understand that I was not successful because of how smart, hardworking, and skillful I was. It was in exchange for my de (virtue). However, while this might be the case for an everyday person, for a practitioner, virtue would be replaced by cultivation energy rather than wealth.
Following the Fa Principles
When studying the Fa at the beginning, I wondered if I could carry on with my business, and remove my attachment to fame and wealth?
Teacher said:
“In our school of practice, those who practice cultivation among everyday people are required to practice cultivation precisely in ordinary human society, and to fit in among everyday people as much as possible. You are not really asked to lose anything materially. It does not matter how high your position ranks or how much wealth you own. The key is whether you can abandon that attachment.” (Lecture Four in Zhuan Falun)
“Our school of practice directly targets one’s mind. The key issue is whether you can take lightly and care less about the issues of individual gain and interpersonal conflicts.” (Lecture Four in Zhuan Falun)
The key for me to follow the Dafa principles was given to me by Teacher's Fa. It would help me eliminate my strong attachment to fame and profit and correct all my bad thoughts and habits.
After studying the Fa diligently I was able to let go of my most serious attachments and exhibited improvement in my behavior.
Sickness Karma
Shortly after I obtained the Fa, because I lacked a deep understanding of the Fa, I came down with sickness karma and tribulations.
While working on a project, I took the customer out for dinner and forgot that a practitioner does not drink alcohol. Not only that, I also took an anti-inflammatory medicine for my cold and even went to the doctor. I acted just like an ordinary person – I drank, consulted doctors, and took medicine. How could I be a Dafa practitioner? I feel very ashamed when thinking about this now!
Before doing the sitting meditation I said in my heart: “Teacher, please strengthen me so that I can let go of my sickness karma and overcome the interference.”
While sitting in meditation I had a vision, which made me understand that I would recover very quickly. By the next morning I had recovered from my sickness karma. This experience increased my confidence in Dafa cultivation and I became more diligent.
Changing Business Practices
In addition to operating the business, I also made some investments, and often ran into conflicts with the founding shareholders of my business.
Before taking up Falun Dafa, I refused to yield an inch and adhered to my own interests and a small group’s benefit, which led to business talks breaking up in discord.
Since learning Dafa, I began to look inward by using the Dafa standard and found that I continued to be too attached to profits and knew that I must let it go. I stopped being involved in certain business issues, such as investments. Now, I consider how a project would benefit all those involved, whether it would harm their interest, and if they would suffer losses.
Changing Business Culture
Before practicing Dafa, I was the typical business person. As a Dafa practitioner, I decided to run my business fully inline with Dafa's principles. It has become my company's core mission.
Anything related to the previous business culture, which mainly meant for me to gain fame and wealth, was discarded from my mind. Now, I consider the needs of those I meet during my business ventures.
Besides the change in business culture I support Dafa material production sites financially. I decided to do what a practitioner should do.
Two years’ cultivation in Dafa has fundamentally changed my outlook and helped me understand the meaning of life. I understand now that cultivation practice is to assimilate to the characteristics of the universe and live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Believing in Master and Dafa
When running a high fever, I persisted with studying the Fa and doing the exercises. Within a few days I recovered, which helped me understand that I passed a cultivation test.
Before last August, I could only sit in the half-lotus position. I read an article on the Minghui website that told me that one needed to trust Master and the Fa 100 percent.
Teacher said:
“When disciples have ample righteous thoughtsMaster has the power to turn back the tide”(“The Master-Disciple Bond” in Hong Yin Volume II )
Before sending forth righteous thoughts last year, I thought that Teacher would strengthen my resolve so I could sit in the full lotus position. Soon after I could sit in the full lotus position – it was incredible.
It has been only a short few years, yet I have experienced Dafa's extraordinary power. I changed from a business oriented person into a cultivator who will be diligent with everything a practitioner should do.
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Category: Improving Oneself
