(Minghui.org) Over the past few months, I've had a strong longing for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. I even checked off each passing day on my calendar, wondering when everything would conclude.
Although I knew these thoughts did not originate from my true self, I never bothered to dig deeper to find out where they came from.
Master said,
“I can tell you explicitly that early on I had planned on ending the persecution this year” (from “Fa Teaching at the 2019 New York Fa Conference”)
When I read this, I thought, “Master, why don't you end it this year? Let's finish it as soon as possible!” I later shared these thoughts with a fellow practitioner.
“Is it possible that you have a similar mindset as that Buddhist man mentioned in Zhuan Falun?” he asked. “He worshiped Buddha every day, sometimes grumbling to himself, 'How come you don’t take care of me? Please, please help me solve this problem!'”
I was shocked when I heard these words, and was very regretful that I complained to Master like this.
When I looked inward, I discovered that I was placing a lot of importance on when the persecution would end, mainly because I wasn't living the kind of life I wanted to live.
For example, I had never received the fame and recognition that I thought I deserved, nor did I like facing the trials and tribulations that went along with doing the three things well. Basically, I was longing for a life of leisure, a life devoid of human suffering!
While reading Master's “Fa Teaching at the 2019 New York Fa Conference” for the fourth time, I thought, “I want to improve; I sincerely want to make a breakthrough in my cultivation practice!”
In my three previous readings, however, I was really hoping that Master would give me a hint as to when the persecution would end. But on my last reading, I had only one thought, “I want to improve myself.” Thus, Master helped me to eliminate this stubborn attachment.
I then enlightened to the fact that cultivation practice is similar to climbing a set of stairs. You have to do it one step at a time.
If we believe in Master and the Fa and have strong righteous thoughts, we will be able to climb these stairs. However, if we slack off in our cultivation and view things with a human mindset, our tribulations will appear as mountains before us, blocking us from moving forward.
If we don't correct ourselves in time, we might lose confidence in our ability to advance forward, thus making it easier to deviate from the path that Master has arranged for each of us.
Master taught us,
“In spiritual practice you have to go through ordeals,” “if you really were to have no worries on the home front and be free of all troubles, what would your spiritual practice consist of?” “But he did provide you with an opportunity to strengthen your character, and for us that should be the heart of spiritual practice.” (“The Fourth Talk” in Zhuan Falun)
I finally enlightened to the fact that we should view all of the tribulations we encounter as opportunities to improve ourselves. Without these tribulations, we'll never be able to climb to the top of the stairs!
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Category: Improving Oneself
