(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a cultivation experience-sharing conference at the Royal Olympic Hotel in Athens, Greece, on December 11, 2022. A total of 18 speakers, from Greece and Cyprus, spoke. They talked about how they abided by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, participated in truth-clarification projects, and dealt with personal conflicts. They also discussed their cultivation experiences while telling people about Falun Dafa and the persecution.

A Falun Dafa cultivation experience conference was held in Athens, Greece, on December 11, 2022.

Collaborating, Coordinating, and Maintaining Righteous Thoughts While Working on Projects

Natalia talked about how she read the Fa, looked inward, and overcame tribulations while coordinating the Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren International Exhibition.

Local practitioners agreed to hold the art exhibition in Edipsos, a thermal springs resort town, in August 2022. Shortly after the decision was made, Natalia began to encounter many tribulations while she made the arrangements.

Safety and the logistics of transporting the art pieces presented a major issue. At the same time, practitioners seemed to be in a stalemate with the local government while applying for a permit. Issues between practitioners also began to surface. Natalia was under a lot of pressure and she began to develop grudges.

She looked inward and realized that she was afraid of difficulties and taking on responsibility. Instead, she wanted to be comfortable and for everything to go smoothly. When she decided to let go of all her negative thoughts, she received a phone call from the assistant mayor the next day informing her that the permit was approved. The local government even offered tents and lighting equipment. “At that moment, I experienced the wonder of cultivation when we eliminate our negative thoughts.”

“The weather was supposed to be bad during the three days the art exhibition was scheduled. A big storm was predicted. The local government told us that we might have to cancel the exhibition. However, I knew clearly that this was interference and we needed to have strong righteous thoughts. I also knew that Master has everything under control.” Natalia invited practitioners who participated in the project to attend group Fa study and also send righteous thoughts to disintegrate the old forces every night.

It continued raining the day the art exhibition opened and the local government suggested once again to cancel it. Natalia was anxious and her heart wavered. She understood the local government was worried and she did not want to cause them any inconvenience. Practitioners got together to come up with an alternate solution and began sending righteous thoughts.

The rain stopped eventually and the art exhibition was held as scheduled because there was neither rain nor storms for the next couple of days. The mayor of the city also came to the exhibition. He thanked practitioners and even posted a picture of the exhibition on a social media platform.

Practitioners were deeply encouraged and understood that Master helped resolve their conflicts and difficulties because of their steadfast belief in Dafa. They also realized the importance of collaborating and cooperating as a group.

Overcoming Obstacles and Striving to Be Diligent in Cultivation

Marlan is an artist from Cyprus. She said as soon as she heard about Falun Dafa, she was deeply drawn to Zhuan Falun, Dafa’s main text. She read Zhuan Falun in one day. Guided by Dafa’s principles, her mind became clear. She was able to distinguish between the good and bad in the field of arts and culture. She also began to actively participate in truth-clarification activities.

There aren’t many practitioners in Cyprus and they live in four different districts and speak four different languages. Marlan overcame this obstacle by meeting at least twice a month to study the Fa and participate in truth-clarification activities.

She moved to another city in 2022. She started to read the Fa and practice the exercises with two other local practitioners every week. Practitioners in Cyprus also held truth-clarification activities every month and became more diligent in cultivation as a whole.

Eliminating Resentment and Letting Go of Ego

Ioanna explained that due to her resentment and strong ego, she left the cultivation environment.

Ioanna is outgoing and openly expressed her opinions when practitioners discussed cultivation experiences. She tended to get excited and talked over others when they spoke. Some practitioners seemed to resent her outspoken personality. She became angry, but she held her emotions in check, “However, when my anger got out of control, it turned into bitterness and resentment. I shut down and closed my heart to everyone else. I also stop attending the local group Fa study.”

Ioanna began to slack off in cultivation when she broke away from the group cultivation environment. Her family conflicts reached a climax and her resentment grew even stronger. Her cultivation state was getting worse. Around the same time, she managed to find a practitioner from another country and attended their Fa study meetings. By attending online Fa study and exchanging her cultivation experiences with others, her heart calmed down. Her xinxing upgraded and she was also able to find her own shortcomings.

She said, “I thought by not communicating with other practitioners, I was showing that I had high morals and tolerance. In reality, it was a manifestation of my selfishness and resentment.”

Ioanna said that in the past, she was unable to truly understand the principles of the Fa. She decided to open her heart, look inward, and face her problems. She let go of her selfishness and resumed attending her local Fa study. She actively looks inward and cultivates herself.

Ioanna said, “I am extremely grateful for these two cultivation environments. I know that all the obstacles or hardships I encountered happened to help me do better in cultivation and advance towards consummation.”

Practitioners send their greetings to Master during the Falun Dafa cultivation conference held in Athens, Greece on December 11, 2022.