(Minghui.org) During the recent New Zealand Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference in Auckland on October 23, thirteen practitioners talked about how they aligned with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They were able to let go of the attachments of depending on others, seeking comfort, resentment, jealousy, zealotry, etc.
The New Zealand Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference was held in Auckland on October 23, 2023.
Genuine Cultivation Practice
Mai Yushan began to practice Dafa in 1998, but she did not fully understand what it meant to cultivate. In July 2013, she suddenly had a stroke. She was rushed to the hospital and one side of her body was paralyzed. By continuously reading Falun Dafa’s teachings and doing the exercises, she recovered in three months. This experience, along with group study and participating in Dafa activities, helped her understand what cultivation means and how to keep up with the pace of Fa-rectification. She also understood the urgency of awakening people to the truth about Falun Dafa and the persecution.
When Shen Yun Performing Arts gave performances in two New Zealand cities this year, Mai helped with the Shen Yun shop. This time, the merchandise included Shen Yun Dancer clothing and Falun Dafa books. From shipment, customs, invoicing and accounting, to sending in payment reminders, there were many details that kept her busy from early morning until late at night. Every new task was piled up in front of her like a mountain, and she sometimes felt overwhelmed. In the process she identified many attachments such as seeking fame, validating herself, selfishness, showing off, zealotry, ego, conceit, and lack of patience. In addition, when she encountered problems, she viewed them with human notions instead of righteous thoughts.
She kept reading the Falun Dafa teachings, and Mai realized it was important to try her best and handle each project well. All these experiences motivated her to cultivate diligently. She needed to face the tribulations instead of avoiding them. She also understood that, as long as she improved based on the Fa, she was able to increase her compassion and tolerance. She was grateful that Master Li (Falun Dafa’s founder) gave her time, helped her enlighten to Dafa’s principles, and grow. It was during those most difficult days that Mai learned how to be a genuine Dafa practitioner and walk well on her path.
Overcoming Illness Tribulations
Sun Runhua, 84, has practiced Falun Dafa for over 20 years. She developed a serious health tribulation and the doctor recommended an immediate amputation; otherwise, she might die. After talking it over with other practitioners, she decided to follow the path arranged by Master. She left the hospital and was able to recover through studying Falun Dafa’s teachings and doing the exercises.
She said practitioners’ strength comes from Dafa and faith in Master. During those days, she had moments of doubt and her human notions surfaced. Through intensively reading the teachings and with Master’s compassionate care, her situation improved. Sun knew Master helped her bear the pain.
When she was able to walk again, she decided to go out and distribute Falun Dafa materials. She still had difficulty walking, but she told herself not to acknowledge the old forces’ persecution since she needed to fulfill her mission. Every week she took a bus to the city center and joined other practitioners to do the exercises and tell people about Dafa. On weekends, she went to nearby markets to distribute the Epoch Times and materials in Chinese. Even though she walked a long distance every day, her feet recovered, and walking became easier and easier.
Ms. Sun said that talking to people about Falun Dafa to the Chinese and exposing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda is also a process of cultivation. All kinds of Chinese people visit New Zealand and their attitudes vary. She realized that as long as we are able to overcome our own human notions and walk out of our comfort zones, Master will bring people with predestined relationships to us. As long as we cultivate our xinxing and treat others with compassion when we encounter conflicts, we are able to bring them hope.
Her experiences while talking to Chinese tourists also helped Ms. Sun learn the importance of looking inward and cultivating herself. It was not until she overcame the shell formed by her human notions that she could step forward and improve. Any physical discomfort she had was actually a process for her to eliminate karma and return to her true self. By continuously studying Falun Dafa’s principles and following them she truly understood the teachings and cherished what Master has given us.
She decided to do better according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She hopes to treat everyone well and not waste any cultivation opportunities.
Letting Go of Resentment
Ms. Zhang began to practice Falun Dafa in 2000 and talked about the process of letting go of resentment. Her husband does not practice and he sometimes complains when she participates in Falun Dafa-related activities. They also had different views on daily expenses, and kept having the same arguments. Ms. Zhang said she felt it was because she did not really look inward and identify her attachments.
In 2016, she wanted to send their son to the Northern Academy in New York. She discussed this with her husband many times and he finally agreed. She was happy that her son went from being a rebellious teenager to a polite college student with a positive attitude and good grades. Their daughter was also admitted to the college.
However, when she returned to New Zealand in 2021, Ms. Zhang said her husband became very irritable and controlling. This made her upset and depressed. This April she finally calmed down and found her deeply hidden resentment. For many years, she expected her husband to do well and she measured him with the standard of a practitioner. She even forced her understandings from reading the Falun Dafa teachings on him. When that did not work her resentment grew. After she realized this she knew she needed to eliminate these thoughts. Her heavy heart also felt light.
Her husband also changed and he stopped trying to control her. Once due to some household chores, she was slow to prepare for a new media project. Her husband reminded her to hurry and not delay the project. These experiences taught her that we have to look within, and guide our words and actions with Dafa's principles. Only then can we truly eliminate attachments, improve xinxing, and help save people including those around us.
Practitioners who attended the conference said the event helped them to understand that cultivation practice is serious. They are grateful to Master for the compassionate salvation and will cherish the unprecedented opportunity.
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