(Minghui.org) Greetings, esteemed Master! Greetings fellow practitioners!
I am a Vietnamese Falun Dafa practitioner and live in France. I obtained the Fa in 2019 during a stay in Singapore and I treasure this precious opportunity to cultivate. Even though I sometimes have xinxing issues, I still steadfastly study the Fa, do the exercises and participate in truth clarification activities.
Overcoming Sickness Karma
In August 2020, in Paris, a daily truth-clarification site was opened in Chinatown. Master said,
“Those who have spent many years outside the Chinese consulates and embassies and at our sites for raising awareness are truly amazing! Some of them are older practitioners, and so some others have remarked that these older practitioners are “well suited” to those activities. Well, then let’s ask those who are saying this: it’s great that you’re young, but what have you been doing? For all Dafa disciples it’s a matter of what you do with yourself.”(“Fa Teaching at the 2019 New York Fa Conference”)
As a new practitioner I never regularly participated in truth-clarification activities. I thought this was an opportunity Master gave me so that I could step out. Even though it was quite a distance from my home to Chinatown, I still went there every day.
I try not to miss any person passing by. I either hand them a flyer or talk to them about Falun Dafa. When there are no people, I send righteous thoughts to dissolve the negative factors in the area. I was surprised because even though we are in Chinatown, people very enthusiastically accept our information. Some people gave us a thumbs up or praised us, others bought us water, some even asked for more flyers for their friends and relatives.
However, on the third day my body encountered a form of sickness karma. Although I didn’t really get sick at first, I used it as an excuse to stay home and sleep. As a result, when I woke up I was more tired than before.
Because of my attachment to comfort, the old forces created the illusion that I was sick to persecute me. The next day when I woke up, I was even more tired, I couldn’t even do the exercises. Suddenly I remembered an article about sickness karma published on the Minghui website. I thought: “It’s an illusion, I must deny it.” I felt the fatigue disappear and I was able to stand up and do the exercises.
Master said,
“...for once the righteous thoughts are strong, you will truly have the god-like might to split a mountain in half—split it with but one thought. Just see if the old forces dare to meddle then.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2010 New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XI)
Although I was still very tired that afternoon, I thought I could not sleep again like yesterday and I should go to the truth-clarification site. When I arrived, the energy field was so powerful that I didn’t feel tired anymore.
When I sincerely looked inward, I realized that I had many attachments, such as the attachment of zealotry when many people accepted our truth-clarifying flyers, an attachment to showing off, and an attachment to comfort. These are all attachments that the old forces can take advantage of to persecute and prevent me from saving people. Although I hadn’t yet identified my attachments, I still negated the old forces and went out to clarify the truth, so Master helped me pass this test.
Master said,
“The issue of cultivation practice is not child’s play, and neither is it a technique of everyday people—it is a very serious matter.” (Lecture Two, Zhuan Falun)
This experience also showed me how serious cultivation is. If our mind is not righteous, the evil can exploit our loopholes and interfere with us.
Identifying and Eliminating Fear
Participating in the truth clarification site helped expose my attachments. Whatever I encounter is a reflection of my inner self.
One day when I offered a newspaper to a Chinese man, he took it, but then threw it on the ground and stepped on it. Two Chinese people were passing by and they sneered. I picked up the newspaper and dusted it off. At that time, I was the only practitioner at the truth-clarification site. A great rush of fear washed over me, to the point that I felt shaky and unsteady on my feet.
I think this incident helped point out my attachment of fear. A fellow practitioner pointed out that I had fear, but I doubted what she said. After I just obtained the Fa I traveled through China. I listened to the recordings of Master’s lectures, whether it was at the Shanghai airport, in shopping malls, or even at the border checkpoint between China and Vietnam.
I didn’t think I had much fear. But in reality, the fear was hidden behind other attachments, so sometimes it manifested unexpectedly and very strongly.
Master said,
“All of you are already aware of the principle of mutual-generation and mutual-inhibition. If you are not afraid, the factor that would make you afraid will cease to exist.” (“Eliminate Your Last Attachment(s),” Essentials for Further Advancement II)
Another time, a woman passing by pointed at me and said I was a Fascist. I asked why she said that. She turned around with a very angry look on her face while pointing at her shirt which had a communist symbol. I was speechless.
I realized that I didn't pass the test. I told myself that I had to do better next time and needed to eliminate my fear. I think that all the people I encounter are helping me see my attachments, and I’m gradually improving.
Identifying Jealousy
When I looked inward, I realized that I did not take truth-clarification seriously. I only did it superficially to collect signatures. This pursuit is a reflection of Party culture. I even watched other practitioners to see how well they were doing.
I realized that my attachment of jealousy was so strong that I compared myself with other practitioners. I’m supposed to save sentient beings. Instead it seemed like I was validating myself. I was jealous of others and competing with fellow practitioners.
Once I realized this, I tried to change myself and calm down. I sincerely sent forth righteous thoughts. When I talked with people, I explained about Falun Dafa, the value of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and the persecution in China. After that I felt more relaxed. I also stopped paying attention to the number of signatures I got. I focused on talking to each passerby and giving them flyers.
My interactions with people helped me recognize my competitive mentality, and my attachment of showing off and I gradually overcame them. I think these attachments come from selfishness, which belongs to the old universe. I am grateful and cherish the experiences I’ve had at the truth-clarification site.
Treasuring Every Person
Master said,
“Even when in your daily life you pass by people so quickly that you don't have a chance to talk to them, you should still leave them with your compassion and kindness. Don't lose those who should be saved, especially those with predestined connections.” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2003 Atlanta Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. IV)
As a cultivator, I should treat everyone with compassion. Yet I was unable to do so, and sometimes I even judged people. For example: this person seems easy to clarify the truth to, that person doesn’t look like they’ll accept the truth. These notions deviate from the Fa.
One day a man in a wheelchair came by. He was some distance from me, so I didn’t approach him. But a Chinese practitioner asked me to talk with him. I found that he couldn’t speak clearly, his mouth was distorted, and his hands were crooked and shook. He wanted to tell us something, but he couldn’t. To be honest I was scared, but I realized that my reaction was wrong, so I tried to talk to him. Finally, with trembling hands, he opened his phone to his name and pointed to the petition sign. I understood that he wanted to sign it, but because of his disability he couldn’t. He was asking me to sign it for him.
This experience encouraged me greatly. A person who had such a severe disability, was unable to speak and unable to write, but was able to express such a clear attitude. When I looked at myself I was ashamed, because I always judged people by their appearance. I was very grateful for this experience! I cherished and admired this disabled man. He helped me realize how selfish, ugly and misleading my thoughts and notions were.
Another time, while I handed out flyers I encountered a man from Africa. He quickly signed the petition without much clarification from me. I was surprised by his understanding of China. He told me that the CCP is a terrorist government that wants to control the world. It’s remarkable that an everyday person had this understanding. I was very surprised and asked for his contact number, but I never thought of suggesting that he practice Falun Dafa. I had tried to spread the Fa to many Westerners before with no result, so I subconsciously created this notion for myself.
After that, we met again and arranged for a talk. He mentioned that his deceased father suggested he go to France for something very important. At that moment, I felt a unique energy. It was a divine feeling, like touching my heavenly memory. At that moment, I felt something sacred, like a promise made a long time ago. I immediately introduced the Fa to him and he was excited about it.
We later met several times to do the exercises and study the Fa together. He quickly became a serious cultivator. This experience encouraged me a lot. I realized that using notions to evaluate things is based on my attachments that I haven’t let go.
When I look inward deeper, I also found that judging others is a very strong manifestation of Party culture. It is a result of looking at and judging others, instead of looking inward and correcting myself.
The people I met not only encouraged me a lot but also helped me to find my shortcomings. I feel that each person I meet has a predestined relationship with me. I also regret how many times I didn’t clarify the truth well because of my laziness. How many predestined people have I missed?
Conclusion
This past year I’ve noticed a change in French people’s attitudes. Now more and more people are aware of the CCP’s crimes and the truth about the persecution. However, many people are still not aware of the CCP’s lies.
I feel that many honest people in different industries from West to East, are still deceived by the CCP and unknowingly support them. They are actually all victims of the CCP, and are driven by their interests. As Master said:
“...The Red Devil uses lies and money to meddle with manIts unbridled evil bars people from boarding the Ark...” (“My Vision,” Hong Yin V)
Indeed, only Dafa disciples can save people and help people in the world not be deceived by the CCP’s lies. In the short time we have left, I will try to be more diligent, and do well what I need to do.
This sharing is only my personal understanding, if there is anything that is not in line with the Fa, please kindly point it out.
Thank you Master. Thank you fellow practitioners for listening.
(Presented at the 2021 France Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference)
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