(Minghui.org) I distanced myself from various meditation practices in 1997, and began looking for a sincere practice. But I didn’t know where I could find such a thing. Although I had no major physical complaints or illnesses and led a pleasant life, something was missing.
I was standing at the train station kiosk in a small town one Saturday afternoon, waiting for my train to Zurich. In order to pass the time, I happened to browse the magazine “Esotera,” and came across an article that has since changed my life, and my attitude toward life, from the ground up.
The article was about Chinese qigong, as well as Falun Dafa taught by Master Li Hongzhi in China. As I read the article, I knew I had to learn Falun Dafa! I then read the book Zhuan Falun, Master Li's main work of Falun Dafa, until late into the night. Shortly after that I started cultivating in Falun Dafa.
Looking back on more than twenty years of cultivation, I am filled with gratitude toward Master. Master protected me from a serious accident, similar to that described in the book. A truck almost drove into me at an intersection, but at the last moment I avoided it on my bicycle. The collision was averted and nothing happened to me. I knew that Master had protected me.
When I attended my first Fa conference in Geneva, as soon as I entered the hall, tears ran down my face like an endless river. I felt the great merciful power of Falun Dafa. I felt that I had finally arrived home. I received profound answers about the meaning of life. I also understood that all troubles in life have their causes.
Always Maintaining a Calm Mind
I often recited Master’s words:
“Forbearance is the key to improving one’s xinxing. To endure with anger, grievance, or tears is the forbearance of an everyday person who is attached to his concerns. To endure completely without anger or grievance is the forbearance of a cultivator.” (Essentials for Further Advancement)
The more I internalized these words during my cultivation, the more I realized that mercy develops through a forgiving heart. As I tried to put myself in other people's shoes, I realized that my fighting mentality was weakening. As soon as I practiced forbearance, I could no longer rigidly hold on to my opinions. By letting go, both my body and my mind relaxed.
At the beginning of my cultivation I was very opinionated and impatient toward my husband, and afterward, I regretted my behavior. Sometimes this also caused physical discomfort or pain. I later tried harder to listen to him patiently. Our relationship has since harmonized enormously. My change in attitude also caused my husband to become positive and supportive of my Falun Dafa activities, especially during the promotion of Shen Yun. Being tolerant also helps me to look at things from a different perspective. My world has grown wider and more radiant.
As soon as someone criticized me in the past, my heart would no longer be calm. I either felt that I had been unfairly treated or that my reputation had been tarnished. However, as soon as I learned or recited the Fa solidly, I realized that all my cells were conforming to the Fa, and calmness returned to me. In this state, I was able to accept criticism much more calmly, not take myself so seriously, and keep a clear mind.
Cooperation Becomes Easier
It is exactly as Master said:
“If you always maintain a heart of benevolence and compassion, when a problem arises suddenly, you will have a buffer and room to think. If you always think about competing with others and fighting over this or that, I would say that you will start a fight with others whenever there is a problem—this is guaranteed.” (Zhuan Falun)
I realized that I often still wanted to put myself in the foreground. However, this happened in a completely hidden, clever way. On the outside, I seemed modest, but in my mind I thought that I had already cultivated much higher than the others. I kept pushing these thoughts away until they finally lessened. I have now learned to watch myself carefully when such thoughts appear.
During the Shen Yun Performing Arts promotion, my fixed views and human feelings were often mirrored to me, and I inevitably had to look inside myself.
I was once waiting for other practitioners at a tram stop, because we had arranged to distribute brochures together. After an hour of waiting in the cold, I called a practitioner and asked when they would arrive by car? Soon, she said. Two hours later I was finally picked up... I looked inside and noticed that the thought of complaining about others had kept reappearing inside me. I repelled all the negative thoughts and recited Lunyu several times.
Master has revealed so many Fa principles to us through which we can elevate. I thank our great Master for his immense mercy. I thank all my fellow practitioners for their support in my practice and on my cultivation path.
Should my writing not conform to the Fa, I ask for your kind correction.
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Category: Improving Oneself
