(Minghui.org) I am a young practitioner who started practicing in 2007 as a result of my mother's urging. I started a new job recently and suddenly realized that I should take Master’s mercy seriously. There was a difference in how I treated the tasks from my boss and the requirements set forth for practitioners.

I did not know how to cultivate at first. I began with the attachment of pursuit. When I encountered problems, I often failed to look inward and identify my own shortcomings. I did not feel that I was a true cultivator!

With further Fa study, I gained a deeper understanding of Falun Dafa's teachings, and finally understood that looking inward was a magical tool. I regret that it took me so long to realize this. I cannot express in words my gratitude for Master Li Hongzhi's compassionate salvation and for not giving up on me.

I recently started a new job. In this environment, I was enlightened to the meaning of “...be sure not to take Master's mercy lightly.” (Teaching the Fa at the 2004 Chicago Conference)

I saw how I went overboard to show a lot of respect to my boss and colleagues. I was afraid of being criticized, looked down upon, and of disappointing my boss. I was attached to showing off and validating myself as well. I did realize those attachments but did not think too much about them.

I recently studied Master's teaching where he discussed the problems regarding cooperation among practitioners. He pointed out that we do whatever the boss wants us to do at work and try to do well, but argue with practitioners when encountering issues on Dafa projects.

I suddenly felt very sad. I realized that I had not taken seriously what Master has repeatedly emphasized, such as studying the Dafa teachings every day, helping people to understand the facts about the persecution, and sending forth righteous thoughts.

For example, I could not get up early to send righteous thoughts in the morning. I turned off my alarm clock and continued sleeping. If my boss asked me to get up early to do something, I would get up right away when the alarm went off. At the workplace, I tried my best to do things well so as not to let my boss down. But I often did not do well with the things Master asks of practitioners.

I realized that I was doing poorly as a Dafa disciple. We should not only do well on the tasks at work but should do even better with Master's requirements. We know Master is compassionate, but we should not push our luck and expect him to always forgive our mistakes. We should not take Master's mercy lightly. I realized this before, but the feeling was not as clear as it is now. I sincerely apologize to Master. I will do well, starting with getting up to send forth righteous thoughts in the morning.

Master said,

“In some cases people don’t act very enlightened, such as when they go and make notes in my books. People whose inner eyes are open have seen that this book is bathed in brilliant colors, and emanates golden light, with each word having a spiritual body of mine behind it. And you can be sure that I am not making this up and trying to mislead you. Each mark someone writes in there is dark. I think that if you are clear on what this book is doing—that it is taking you to greater spiritual heights—you won’t even consider doing that. You should be more thoughtful about certain things. Shouldn’t you treasure a book that can guide your practice? And yet by contrast, you might be so reverent toward the religious images you have at home, being careful not to so much as touch them, and praying to them daily, even when all that worship doesn’t amount to genuine practice. Yet you would desecrate these profound teachings of Dafa, which have the power to truly guide you in spiritual practice.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)

I realized that our every thought can reflect our respect for Master and the Fa.

Master has suffered so much for us. We need to be responsible for ourselves, be responsible for our vows, and be accountable for all beings. We must live up to Master's compassionate mercy!

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Category: Improving Oneself