(Minghui.org) I felt that I was diligent about reading the Fa teachings but not about practicing the exercises and I slacked off. I often laid down for a nap after I meditated and did not always do all five exercises. When I got home from work, I would use the excuse that I was too exhausted. This went on for a long time. If I did not do the exercises for three days, I felt cold and dull, and I was unable to focus on my tasks.
After I left China in 2019, I met other practitioners. They told me that they had been going to a local group practice site in a park every morning for many years. I truly admired them. No matter how cold or hot it was, they were very determined and went to the practice site every day. I was somewhat in disbelief. At times, I envied them having such a great opportunity to do the exercises, but I couldn’t join them because I lived so far away.
Two months later I had an opportunity to participate in a group practice site. I woke up at 3 a.m. to do the exercises with other practitioners. The first two days it was challenging for me to get up when the skies were still dark, and I felt tired.
Master said:
“Has it ever occurred to you that cultivation is the best form of rest? You can obtain the kind of rest that can’t be obtained through sleep. Nobody would say: “The exercises are making me so tired that I can’t do anything today.” (Teachings at the First Conference in North America)
I realized that this was caused by my own notions. I always felt that if I slept less, I’d definitely be sleepy. Upon realizing my shortcomings, I corrected my mentality and eliminated my false notions. My state has gotten better. Now, even if I don't go to sleep until 11 p.m. or midnight the night before, I can still wake up at 3 a.m.
My day feels very complete after doing the five exercises and reading one lecture of the Fa.
Master said:
“ If you cultivate at home, truly conduct yourself as a practitioner, and cultivate solidly and steadily, then you aren’t worse off than cultivating outside. But human beings usually have laziness in them—you can’t deny it—because your thoughts haven’t yet elevated to that level. When you stay away from the group practice environment, it’s as if you won’t be spurred on, and you lose an external condition that drives you in cultivation. For example, when we do the meditation, if other people are enduring the unbearable pain yet no one takes down his legs, you’ll feel embarrassed to take yours down. This compels you to increase your exercise time. That is, an environment like that pushes you forward in many respects. Without that environment, if you don’t handle yourself well, you won’t be spurred on by that external factor, you might slack off, and you won’t manage to be diligent. Although you’re still practicing, your progress might be much slower. That’s the relationship. If you’re really able to handle yourself well, then it makes no difference where you practice. The only concern is that you might not handle yourself well. Even though some people may say, “I can be self-disciplined,” I believe some people, but not some others, because I see it very clearly: They haven’t broken through to reach that level yet.” (Teachings at the Conference of Changchun Assistants)
In other dimensions I noticed changes in my body when I meditated. My body was encased in dirty substances. Only by meditating can I eliminate karma, be free of the black matter, and be filled with high-energy matter. My karma is eliminated faster if I endure the pain in my legs during the sitting mediation. My body in other dimensions is also transformed faster. In the past I always took my legs down if they hurt too much. However, at the group practice site with everyone sitting so still, I was embarrassed to take my legs down. Now I persist and finish meditating no matter painful it is.
Now, my back is straight after meditating every day. While doing the second exercise for an hour in the past, I would put my arms down when they felt sore and tired. My head would drop and my back would bend. However, when I attended the group practice site and saw everyone standing very still and straight, I was encouraged and persisted until the very end.
I experienced another big change. When I hold one palm up while sending forth righteous thoughts, different Fa instruments and energy matter appear. My ability to eliminate the evil also became more powerful. Although I was still able to exert some energy when I was not as diligent, it was not as powerful as when I diligently practice the exercises. Now I quickly enter tranquility and my gong also goes forth very fast. I know this is all given to me by Master and it is Dafa’s boundless power. I am just helping Master to validate the Fa and eliminate the evil.
In the past I regarded practicing the exercises as a burden. However, I’ve benefited so much from attending the group practice site that I now actively participate.
Master said:
“Group Fa study is what I left for everyone, and group exercise is what I left for everyone. Other than in situations of severe persecution, it should be done this way in other areas outside mainland China. There is no reason not to do it, as it relates to the issue of the future humans obtaining the Fa and cultivating. Therefore, group exercise and group Fa study is not something you can do without.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference,” Team Blue Translation)
I hope that everyone is able to attend group practice sites. After the pandemic is over, we should resume our group practice environment once again.
This is what I enlightened to at my limited level of understanding. Kindly point out anything inappropriate.
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Category: Improving Oneself
