(Minghui.org) It’s only been a little over three weeks since the U.S. election, but it feels like two months have passed. The daily election-related news has been dominating everyone’s attention. Obviously, this election is the most important choice to determine one’s future. The divine is observing people’s hearts and what stand they take on this matter.
As Falun Dafa cultivators, we all know it is a battle between good and evil. And yet I noted that some fellow practitioners still haven’t awakened to the urgency and danger of the situation, and they are dragging their feet in doing the three things. They particularly neglect to pay close attention to sending forth righteous thoughts. They believe that Master is in charge and that they do not want to participate in sending righteous thoughts, suffer hardship, or be bothered.
As a matter of fact, this election is an important chance not only for the world’s people, but also for cultivators to make the right choice. It’s an evaluation and assessment of our cultivation status. Perhaps the survival of the human race at this level depends on how well we understand the current Fa-rectification and how well we put our hearts into it.
I admit that the thought of slacking off occasionally crossed my mind too, thinking that with so many practitioners, it wouldn’t hurt not to participate. When I dug deeper for where that thought came from, I discovered the mentality of “taking a chance.” I thought that since I was a cultivator, I felt “safe” and I would not be annihilated when the big calamity came to weed out bad elements in the universe. So I had an excuse for slacking off.
With the mentality that “After all, if the sky falls, everyone should die together” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun, 2014 Translation Version), I realized that I had been influenced by the “absolute egalitarianism” in the Chinese Communist Party culture. My mentality itself has become a loophole for the specter of communism to take advantage of.
Master told us,
“Fa-rectification has standards, and so does Dafa disciples’ cultivation.” (“Fa Teaching Given in Manhattan,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. X)
“Fa-rectification is sure to succeed, and Dafa disciples are sure to achieve Consummation.” (“Greetings,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress, Vol. III)
From Master’s Fa teachings, I realized that not all practitioners of Dafa can be called Dafa disciples. How many of us can really reach the standard of the Fa? How many of us can truly consummate in our cultivation?
When I calmed down to look within and measure myself against the Fa, I had nothing but a sense of panic. I realized that I still have so many attachments to eliminate, and I still don’t have ample righteous thoughts. Can I qualify as a true Dafa disciple? Can I fulfill my historic vow? How many opportunities have I missed to save sentient beings? If I did not do well and am unable to meet the standard, how will I face Master and sentient beings? What will my outcome be? I feel that every cultivator may benefit from thinking over these questions.
Master is compassionate and always encourages us even when we encounter problems in our cultivation, but we should not relax our demands on ourselves.
Master said,
“Dafa disciples are humankind’s only hope for salvation.” (“To the Fa Conference of Europe,” Team Yellow Translation)
I realized that the Fa rectification of the human world is imminent. Dafa disciples have no other choice. We must go all-out. Master has given us a long enough time to understand the Fa and mature during the process. Master offers salvation to us, and we in turn save the sentient beings. Shen Yun is a good reference that Master gave us – it is not for people’s entertainment or for cultivators to gain inspiration, but for the purpose of allowing us to cultivate ourselves well in the process, understand how to walk our paths and play our roles.
Now facing the decisive battle, we should be enlightened to Master’s compassion with righteous thoughts, rather than still hoping that Master will help us do what we should do and solve problems in the human realm.
Soon after the U.S. election, I had a vivid dream, in which I had a fierce fight with the evil in a building. The atmosphere was tense. I wanted to leave where I was at the time and run to a safer room downstairs. But I wasn’t sure if I could get away. I gritted my teeth and took my chance. In a matter of seconds, I was met with a concentrated and fierce attack from the evil. Although I temporarily escaped the overwhelming attack by the evil in my dream, my energy couldn’t be restored and recovery was slow. I was nervous and anxious inside, and then I woke up.
In reality, my cultivation state was not good. I got distracted easily when studying the Fa. I could not sit still and my mind was not tranquil. I could not guarantee always doing my daily exercises. I got drowsy while sending forth righteous thoughts. I had a hard time sending my righteous thoughts because I felt overwhelmed by the evil. Many of the attachments that I had cultivated away before, such as lust, irritability, jealousy, and resentment, have reared their ugly heads again. I also spent a lot of time watching media programs made by fellow practitioners when I should have been studying the Fa and doing the exercises.
I realized that Master was dropping me a hint with the dream, that the current situation was critical, and that my state was extremely dangerous! I learned that many fellow practitioners were also being interfered with during this period of time.
It took me close to two weeks to adjust my state. I settled down and intensified my Fa study, persevered in doing the exercises, memorized the Fa in the morning, and stopped searching for media programs about the current election situation. When I have spare time, I listen to Minghui Radio programs which help me a great deal. When I read Zhuan Falun at night, I noticed I was able to stay focused.
The holiday season has now come, with Christmas and the New Year around the corner. There are many things we need to do to juggle cultivation, work, and family. I believe the next two months will be crucial. We really have to be on our guard. I sincerely hope fellow practitioners will not be fascinated by the illusions of the world. Let us seize the time and diligently do what we should do.
This is my personal understanding at this level, and please kindly point out shortcomings.
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Category: Improving Oneself
