(Minghui.org) I am 64 years old. I spent the first half of my life pursuing fame and benefits, yet all I got was illnesses. I was struggling, and often jealous of my classmates who achieved a much better job and position. Then, at the end of June 1997, when I started to practice Falun Dafa, not only did I recover from all my illnesses, but I also regained my peace of mind. In addition, I could resist the temptation of using computers and smart phones.

Setting up a Dafa Material Production Site

I always wanted to establish a material production site, just as other practitioners had done. However, I didn't have enough money to buy the equipment. My salary was suspended because of refusing to give up my belief, and my wife and I had limited income by working part time.

Then, I was notified in 2012 that I could get a one time compensation if I retired earlier. I decided to accept the offer, so that I could use part of the compensation to establish a material production site.

Since I was new at running a material production site, I often went to other practitioners' homes to ask for help. When I was at their homes, I often saw them watching dramas or surfing the internet, and I felt bad for them. Sometimes, I would urge them not to spend so much time on these things, but they ignored my suggestion.

But, I determined that I would refrain from getting addicted to computers. I have never watched a TV drama, played games, or shopped online using my computer. I clearly knew that as a practitioner, I shouldn't waste time on such frivolities. I only used my computer for producing Dafa materials. At that time, my computer was clean, and I was clear.

I didn't even have enough time to clarify the facts or save more people. How could I waste my time on browsing the internet to satisfy my personal wants?

Temptation: Smart Phones

Although I have had good self-control of not indulging in using computers, I didn't resist the temptation of using a smart phone when my son bought me one in 2016.

At the beginning I only used my smart phone to make phone calls and send messages.

However, there often were messages, “Your browser is not up to date, please upgrade.” I simply ignored this message until it said, “Install the new browser, it will speed up your smart phone greatly.” Out of curiosity, I installed the browser and several similar browsers.

It was like opening Pandora’s Box. Anytime when I checked my phone, all kinds of information showed up. I realized that it was time consuming to check all the information, so I removed these browsers.

However, when I saw the message for speeding up my smart phone, I couldn't resist it, and installed the browser again. Later I even started to shop online, because it was convenient and saved money.

I developed a strong interest in shopping online, sometimes staying up late to catch all the deals. But on the next day, I had no energy to study the Fa, send forth righteous thoughts, or make truth-clarifying phone calls.

Looking Inside for Attachments

At that time I realized that I had cultivation problems and looked within. What attachments had driven me to do that?

Master said,

“A practitioner will surely not be occupied by the wants that normally consume people, and will place little value in worldly things. What he will have in his life, however, are higher things that people ordinarily can’t have—even if they come to know about them and want them.”(The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)

When I looked inside, I found a lot of attachments: attachments to curiosity, to looking for benefits, being opportunistic, enjoying a relaxed life, greed, showing off, and even jealousy.

In short, I didn't act as a true practitioner, but pursued what common people pursue. I was controlled by the modern technology without realizing it.

When I recognized these human notions, I was sweating. I did feel sorry for what I had done, and felt regret. When I saw the Minghui notification to uninstall WeChat, I immediately uninstalled all social media apps like WeChat, QQ, and also uninstalled the browsers. Furthermore, I asked practitioners to reset my smart phone, and only kept a few necessary apps.

Since then, when I am sending forth righteous thoughts, my palms won't sweat. When I am studying the Fa, I do not feel sleepy. When I am doing the exercises, my back is always straight.

Now, I will always remember what Master said,

“But however difficult it may be, this is what you came here to do. And however difficult it may be, this is what your life was created and made for.”(“2018 Fa Teaching Given in Washington, D.C.”)

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Category: Improving Oneself