(Minghui.org) Esteemed Master and fellow practitioners:
At the beginning of 2020 the world was informed through many different media reports about the coronavirus outbreak happening in China. We were just on the final leg for the Shen Yun Show promotion in Basel, Switzerland – from February 25 to February 27. All shows were sold out and practitioners were confident that despite the frequently changing international coronavirus measures, all shows would take place as planned.
Not Giving Up Until the End
During the show it was my job to invite VIPs for a television interview. I had my heart set on interviewing a high ranking politician. However, during the short intermission it was not possible to get him to grant me an interview. When the performance ended, I and another practitioner tried to find him in the crowd. In the entry hall everyone was walking towards the exit at the same time, and I lost track of everything.
But, suddenly, the other practitioner saw the politician and spoke to him briefly. However, the politician told him that he had little time as he and his wife had to catch a train to Bern. When the other practitioner told me this, I was certain that I had to catch up with this politician. I plucked up my courage, and was certain that he would relent.
I caught up with him and asked him straightforward whether it would be possible to give a short interview. It would really be appreciated. He agreed somewhat hesitantly. I immediately took him to the television crew. In the end he gave an interview of at least five minutes. I am glad to not have accepted his first refusal and had tried again to win him over for an interview. In doing so I had to muster all my courage.
I also realized that sometimes a push is needed from different angles until a person can be saved. With Master’s help, something that looks almost impossible can happen. At that moment I clearly knew that this VIP had come to fulfill his vow and received powerful virtue. We practitioners just need to take full advantage of all opportunities, and then Master can help us.
This incident helped me understand that one should not be distracted by others’ concerns, but do what’s necessary and required. This incident showed me once again the effectiveness of cooperation with this practitioner. Because of effective cooperation, the result did turn out positively.
We were very fortunate that it was only after the last day of our performances that the coronavirus measures for the events in Switzerland came into effect. Many beings were saved this way. This situation touched me very much, and I understand that we should appreciate even more the promotions we are involved with in our country.
Breaking Through One’s Boundaries
When going through the process I realized that I had the attachment to fear, especially when it came to technical issues. No one was available to hold my hand. I asked myself, “What is in reality the fundamental reason for this fear?” I feared failure and dealing with new things. But knowing the effectiveness of social media and recognizing that hundreds, even thousands of sentient beings could be saved with it, I pulled myself together and gradually began to gain familiarity with this technique. With many technical obstacles and “learning by doing” I was able to support the team over time.
Now I have 270 followers and can also reach our politicians and the media directly. Also, our mutual support on Twitter is very effective, ensuring that more people can hear the truth about Falun Dafa and the persecution. I am truly grateful that I have overcome another obstacle, that I can do my part in saving sentient beings, and am a fully supporting member of the team.
Master said, “Any height is possible if you have the grit and tenacity that it takes.” (The Second Talk, Zhuan Falun)
Master’s Fa made me realize that I still did not have the perseverance expected of a true cultivator. Why was that? Of course, when doing Fa-validation work, there were always obstacles that I had to overcome. These tests showed me my attachments. Often I wanted to dismiss them, as it was telling me that I was out of my league and it was too complicated. Hadn’t I just come up with a clever excuse to avoid the process of suffering? Wasn’t that an opportunity to improve my xinxing. Wasn’t this an opportunity to improve my cultivation state? I was ashamed. It was not only ingratitude for Master’s salvation, but also disrespectful to Master and Dafa.
As I searched within I realized that I had not acted as a true cultivator on several occasions. How many chances will I have left? The deeper I searched within myself the more I became aware that my actions were based on self-protection and egoism.
Master said,
“Here we have a wonderful practice to offer, and we have made it available to all, virtually handing it to you, right at your door. The only question now is whether you can make good on it. Those who can will have spiritual progress in store for them, while those who cannot would do well to set aside the thought of doing spiritual practice; only deceptive entities would teach you hereafter, and so I would discourage you from trying.” (The Eighth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
What Master said stuck in my mind:
“Here we have a wonderful practice to offer, and we have made it available to all, virtually handing it to you, right at your door.” (The Eighth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I am close to tears every time I study Master’s Fa, as it touches me deeply. At the same time I feel the infinite mercy and grace that Master has for everyone. I want to fulfill my vow that I gave Master and cherish this precious opportunity.
There is a proverb: “Where there is a will, there is a way,” Thus, every obstacle is a milestone for me to decide whether I want to overcome this test. Later, I decided to extend my support to other social media platforms.
It made me happy when many people responded to my tweets. Especially when I suddenly had 669 followers on another medium, I saw it as a miracle. Thus, I have started to check the follower numbers only, because I want to know how many people respond to my messages. I realized that I had a success-seeking heart, and understood that I definitely had to get rid of it.
This attachment could have caused much interference in the future. Now, I look at this issue on a daily basis. I want to tell people with wisdom about the facts.
Master said,
“And it really is so. It’s an outlook you only stand to benefit from. So the next time you are going through a real trial or tribulation, try to keep this in mind, and see if you can bear it. Or when faced with what seems impossible, and even if others say so, try to keep this in mind, and see if it might just be possible. I believe that if you can do that, you will always find that there is light at the end of the tunnel. (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
Remaining Calm When Facing Conflicts
There were several times when I faced conflicts with fellow practitioners, and heard complaints against me or others. This was a great challenge. I tried to keep a calm mind and look at the conflict from within the Fa. At the same time attachments came to light. The situation taught me to look within, endure criticism, exercise patience, and forbear, Usually, in retrospect, I do realize where I could not control my xinxing.
Letting Go of Worries and Trusting in Master and the Fa
For this year we planned the third Experience Sharing Conference in the German speaking part of Switzerland. However, one had to watch for the Swiss government announcing new measures because of the coronavirus pandemic. Given such changes we had to change the date of the reservation and rent a larger venue. In addition, the larger hall required that the conference participants provide a vaccination certificate. Another requirement was that a separate hall for non-vaccinated practitioners would be arranged so that they could also attend the conference.
When talking to practitioners about the options, I was made aware of different views and opinions. Initially, I was surprised by certain statements and reasoning. From these conversations I realized that I had to open my heart and mind wide so that I would understand the different rationales, including the concerns. During these conversations I realized that forbearance is an excellent key to letting go of my thinking. I also learned to listen to others patiently.
During that time I was very busy with handling coordination. Besides, I was worried when my mind did not calm down during Fa study and when doing the exercises.
Master said,
“Only those with excellent innate foundations can just quiet their minds at will; for the average person it’s simply not possible. The real reason why you can’t quiet your mind is not due to your technique, or because you haven’t found the secret to success; but rather, that your mind, or what’s inside of your heart, is not pure.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I realized that I should worry less and put more trust in Master and the Fa. Besides, I should trust fellow practitioners, as a door would always open and help will come at the last moment. I also realized that I wanted to have everything well organized and arranged in advance. This was the attachment to coziness, fearing difficulties, and impatience. Therefore, I began to study the Fa more intently. This helped me to concentrate better on the Fa and calm down. It also helped me understand the principles of the Fa more deeply.
Overcoming Fatigue and Habits
It has been quite some time since I have been reading the Fa at 5 a.m. with fellow practitioners online. This was a good opportunity, providing me with an alternative to studying the Fa with the local study-group, especially during the lock down period. Of course, this was also a test for me – getting up early in the morning and reading. I did not participate regularly, as I could not concentrate on reading at all times. Over time I felt better throughout the day when studying the Fa in the morning. This inspired me to attend the morning Fa study almost daily. Of course, in order to accomplish this, I had to overcome complacency and tiredness.
This cultivation process requires that one looks within constantly. Sometimes I ask myself why I feel unbalanced again? What attachment did I not let go of? This is a process that is never ending, and continues at deeper levels.
The more I deal with it, the more I realize that I have not yet understood much of the Fa’s magnificence and that many doors are still closed. The key, in my mind, is to sincerely look within and keep studying the Fa. Only thus can I align myself with the Fa.
Fellow practitioners: Let’s move forward diligently together and see bitterness as joy.
I bow to the merciful Master for his great compassion. I also thank fellow practitioners for the valued support.
(Presented at the 2021 Switzerland-German-Speaking Region Fa Conference)
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