(Minghui.org) Every sentence in the three articles Master published recently is like a stick warning, touching me deep in my heart. Master’s words awakened me. My self-righteousness and complacency disappeared instantly. I realized that my faith in the Fa is far from meeting the standard. I also didn’t have the gratitude for Dafa and Master as I should. 

I have encountered many tribulations during the more than twenty years of cultivation. I always felt great after I accomplished a project and it worked effectively in saving people; I felt it resulted from my righteous thoughts. Now I have realized it was Master who was truly saving people and helping us overcome obstacles.

All the tribulations we encounter come from our own karma accumulated over a long drawn-out history. Enduring hardship is also essential for us to establish the mighty virtue needed to reach consummation. We may feel that it is so hard to get through the tribulations we encounter. However, the fact is, Master has already reduced a great deal of our karma, and bears a large burden on our behalf, but we must also endure a little bit ourselves.

Without Master’s help, we simply can’t bear anything on our own and will likely have to repay with our own lives. Master bears the huge karmic debts for us, so that our lives and cultivation can be extended, and only then can we have the opportunity to cultivate.

There were so many times I failed to do a good job in validating the Fa and saving sentient beings and was exploited by the old forces. But each and every time, it was Master who helped me and endured for me, so that I can continue my cultivation. Master doesn’t want anything in return, but just our righteous thoughts and the heart to cultivate.

Without knowing how much Master has done for us, I always took credit for myself when I broke through some difficulties and thought I was doing great. Now I understand that I simply took everything for granted. I realize how ignorant I was. 

It’s only natural for us to do well and fulfill our responsibilities with righteous thoughts. We shouldn’t think that we were doing anything for Master. Everything we did was for our own consummation. We also have nothing to repay Master’s saving grace, because even the most precious thing we have in our realm is unworthy of Master.

We have made it through the tribulations and obstacles to where we are today. The first thing we should be grateful for is the infinitely compassionate Master. No matter how poorly disciples do, Master never leaves us, gives us chance after chance, and encourages us to do better. We should cherish the opportunity to do well, look within, and not let Master down.

Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)