(Minghui.org) Even though I’ve practiced Falun Dafa for years, I didn’t understand how serious cultivation is. I didn’t focus on reading the Fa teachings or apply them to myself, so I stumbled on my cultivation path. Master never gave up on me. Instead he safeguarded me and repeatedly gave me opportunities to do better. After a few detours in my cultivation, I rectified myself. I finally understood my responsibilities and became diligent.
Helping With Technical Work
There were only two practitioners in our area who could be called upon because they were good with technology. Thus, they were always busy. If I wanted help with an issue, I had to wait for a long time. When I asked one of them how difficult it would be to learn to install an operating system for a computer, he asked, “Do you really want to take the path of doing technical stuff?” What he meant was that I was not educated, so it would be hard for me to grasp computer technology. I wasn’t discouraged. I thought Master and Dafa would open up my wisdom, and I would surely be able to make a breakthrough.
Even though I don’t know English or understand computer terms, I thought I could grasp the meaning of computer terminology. I began writing the words down on a notepad. Through referring to a technical forum and some courses published on the Minghui website, I gradually got the hang of some technical issues.
When I ran into things that I didn’t understand or got stuck, I sent forth righteous thoughts. The solution would appear in my mind. Sometimes I had an understanding when I did the exercises. I knew Master was helping me. I learned how to log onto a technical forum and registered as a member. When I wasn’t sure of something, I posted a message to the Q&A session.
For instance in the beginning, I needed to install operating systems for many practitioners. As there were many types of laptops, I ran into all kinds of issues. When I had to change the hard drive, I had to find the operator’s manual. I sent a request to the forum members, and they sent me the link. I was able to successfully download drivers for various types of laptops and install them.
When some practitioners learned that my financial situation was not so good, they wanted to compensate me and help cover my living expenses. Some offered to pay my rent. But I declined. I wanted to follow what Master asked us to do. I had a job and still found time to do the three things that a practitioner is supposed to do. Even though some practitioners had money, if I relied on their support, I felt I’d become lazy over time. Only by being financially independent could my cultivation path be righteous.
Thus, while I worked, I also found time to tell people about Falun Dafa and the persecution. Sometimes my work was physically exhausting, but I never felt it was a hardship. After I went home, I took a short rest before I began reading the Fa. No matter how busy or how much hardship I had, I was able to do the morning exercises every single day. My fatigue soon disappeared.
Cultivating Myself at Work
In my day-to-day work, I’ve held myself to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I never took a penny from anyone. If I needed something, I paid for it. This is how I conducted myself at work. If it’s not mine, it doesn’t belong to me. Master said, “that anything comes at a cost” (The Second Talk, Zhuan Falun).
My boss said I am conscientious, and my coworkers have a good impression of me.
In my spare time I clarified the facts about Falun Dafa to people and helped them quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. One coworker was from another town. He read Falun Dafa books prior to the persecution in 1999. He had a few minor accidents at work, and said he knew Master protected him. He called me and asked me to help him finish something, and I agreed. Afterwards, he told me that I was the most reliable person he's ever met. He referred me to his other bosses, and highly recommended me. After the other bosses learned that I practiced Dafa, they said Falun Dafa must be good.
Dafa opened up my wisdom, and as my skills improved, my work became easier and I was paid more. I only needed to work half the time compared to before to support myself. I was able to use my additional free time to read the Fa and do some things to tell people about Falun Dafa.
Eliminating My Resentment
An elderly practitioner in my city made truth clarification materials and distributed them. I often worked on her computer. One day, she was arrested. I sent Mr. Yong an email and told him what happened. He discussed the situation with Mr. Bao. He was concerned about my safety, and wanted me to go to another city and contact a practitioner there.
I did as they suggested. I lost contact with the practitioners in that city, so I couldn’t go. Much later I heard that multiple practitioners were simultaneously arrested there. Concerned about my safety, I decided to stay with my relative.
I started working with Mr. Yong prior to “July 20” [when the persecution began in 1999]. After he heard what happened, he used his I.D. to rent a place for me. However, as soon as I finished cleaning the apartment, I heard his family was concerned about his safety and wanted me to leave. I left immediately.
But where could I go? My place was also a material production center. Mr. Yong was imprisoned for years and was very new to this city, so he couldn’t help me.
I returned to my apartment. I decided to leave everything to Master. Master is in charge and the old forces couldn’t move me. I calmed down and read the Fa, and sent forth righteous thoughts to dismantle the evil factors trying to persecute me. During that period of time, I didn’t get in touch with anyone. In the end, protected by Master, I made a breakthrough in this trial.
During the process of my transferring the equipment at the material production center, neither Mr. Yong nor Mr. Bao helped me. I developed resentment towards Mr. Bao: How could he turn a blind eye to my situation? All kinds of thought karma and wild thoughts surfaced, even when I read the Fa. For instance, I resented Mr. Bao for kicking me out of that apartment. As soon as I finished cleaning and repairing it, he threw me out and moved in.
With more Fa-study, I had a new understanding. I gradually calmed down and my resentment subsided. But after a while, it popped up again. I realized it couldn’t be eliminated all at once because my xinxing hadn’t improved. My thoughts were not always on the Fa. With human thinking, I could easily blame Mr. Bao. Every time my resentment surfaced I kept eliminating it. I used my righteous thoughts to eliminate it from its roots.
But Mr. Bao didn’t notice the change in my thoughts. He wrote me a letter and listed all the things I didn’t do well in the past. His tone was harsh and he did not consider whether I could take it or not. After I read it, I didn’t think much about it. He talked to another practitioner, and said I wouldn’t go see him or talk to him. He was very surprised when I went to see him.
Mr. Bao and I are veteran practitioners and we worked together and introduced Falun Dafa prior to 1999. I understood his shortcomings, for example, he liked to criticize others, but he always thought highly of himself; whereas I didn’t want to be criticized by others. Thus, on the surface, I looked very timid. When he treated me unfairly, I always felt upset.
Mr. Bao asked me to go to the market and buy a moisture-proof mat for the floor. After I gave it to him, he told another practitioner, “Look what he bought me. It’s so poorly designed.” He also did not reimburse me.
I felt upset, so I began to examine where my thoughts came from and I looked inward unconditionally: Was it because I still had some attachments and I didn’t want to be embarrassed?
I reminded myself: I am a practitioner, I should hold myself to a higher standard. I should apologize to him. Whatever I did that upset him was my fault. This conflict exposed my attachments and helped me improve. Suddenly all my resentment went away. I also found my deeply hidden fundamental attachment – jealousy. The bad thing was turned into a good thing. I also eliminated my biased and negative notions about him. I realized that as a Fa-rectification period Falun Dafa practitioner, I should first of all think about the overall cooperation, do the three things well, take the big picture into consideration, and let go of my selfishness.
I’m grateful for Master constantly safeguarding me. I’m also grateful for the other practitioners’ help. I will cultivate diligently.
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Category: Improving Oneself
