(Minghui.org) My previous job in a large company required me to come to the office before 7 a.m. every day and read more than 30 newspapers, then extract the contents into a condensed version for the company. As a Chinese person who does not know much Japanese, I found the job very difficult, and I wanted to quit the first day. I reminded myself that I am a Falun Dafa practitioner, and I should do well wherever I go and in whatever I do. I stopped thinking about running away from difficulties.

I spent extra time to overcome my language deficiency by arriving at the office at 5:30 a.m. without being compensated for the early hours. After six months, my hard work paid off. I began to find the necessary information quickly and caught many keywords effortlessly. I was very thankful for the compassion and help of Master Li (the founder of Falun Dafa).

The other employees praised me for my dedication and hard work. However, my Chinese coworker who worked alternate shifts with me, received negative feedback. She thought that my hard work made her look bad. She claimed that she was my supervisor and demanded I reduce my quality to match hers. She used many harsh words during an unpleasant phone call.

I explained that as a Falun Dafa practitioner I should follow the teachings of Master Li to do my job well, and I deserved the pay. Afterwards, I felt bad for arguing with her and not behaving like a practitioner. I realized that my attitude reflected my attachments to showing off, jealousy, resentment, and self-interest.

Memorizing the Fa 

I often read articles on Minghui.org and I was very inspired by other practitioners’ sharing about improving themselves through memorizing and reciting the Fa. After I memorized the first lecture of Zhuan Falun, I felt great but a bit annoyed because I had to check back on the words/characters when I recited, to make sure I was correct. I wished someone would help me by pointing out my mistakes. I believe that Master heard my wish and granted me the opportunity to join other practitioners who were memorizing Zhuan Falun. I finally found the cultivation environment that I had been looking for. I benefited a lot and improved without conscious effort since I joined the group in May 2022. Several practitioners said that I changed a lot, my skin became rosy, and looked younger. I said, “It’s because I memorized the Fa!”

Improving Xinxing

One Sunday in February, the Chinese coworker asked me to fill in for her for seven days, but she only wanted to pay me for six days. 

I recalled what Master said,

“In the community of cultivators, the relationship between loss and gain is frequently brought up. Among everyday people, it is also discussed. How should our practitioners treat losses and gains? It is different from ordinary people. What everyday people want is personal gain and how to live well and comfortably. Our practitioners are not this way, but exactly the opposite. We do not seek what everyday people want. Instead, what we get is something everyday people cannot obtain—even though they want to—except through cultivation practice.” (Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun)

I thought that nothing was coincidental. Her unreasonable request was helping improve my character and increase my gong. I am a cultivator so I should not behave as she did. Maybe I owed her from a previous lifetime, so I should pay her back and resolve my own karma. I agreed with her request and suggested that her family might have difficulties and needed money. She was very pleased. In the end, she really gave me one day less pay. But I felt very calm. I should appreciate those who give me opportunities to improve my xinxing. After reciting the Fa, I felt relieved because I behaved according to the Fa, and let go of my attachment to loss and gain.

Fear of Criticism and Seeking Comfort

I accepted a new job at a practitioner’s shop in May. This was a new cultivation environment for me. The practitioner and I can study the Fa and do the exercises when we have time. I was pleased to have been offered this job. 

Master has arranged everything, so nothing is coincidental. I can cultivate and improve my xinxing at the new job. My flaws are exposed, and I learn from the strengths of my fellow practitioner.

I have been living alone since coming to Japan, so my cultivation progress was slow. I needed to remove the fear of facing criticism, and the attachment of seeking comfort, but I did not have the determination to go through with it.

The fellow practitioner observed my shortcomings and directly pointed them out. My fear of criticism was like a bad substance, as tough as granite. At first, I could not listen to her advice to face my weakness. Her words hurt me so much that I cried after I got home.

Through studying and memorizing the Fa, I gradually assimilated to Dafa and became calmer and more rational. When issues surfaced I remembered the Fa. Master’s wonderful arrangement and the practitioner’s honest communication were to help me improve. I realized that she spoke to me peacefully and in a kind manner, so why couldn’t I listen to her keen observations with ease? My true self would not feel sad. Was I deceived by failing to recognize my true self, and therefore continued to feel bad? 

One day, I suddenly found that I could accept her suggestions, and I was unaffected by people’s criticism. I am grateful to Master for granting me such a good cultivation path, and to my fellow practitioner for helping me with her direct and open comments.

I am very happy to go to work, study the Fa, and do the exercises every day with my fellow practitioner. She cultivates diligently. I was shocked to know that she has never taken a nap in the daytime for over 10 years. It never occurred to her to take naps because she does not waste time. On the contrary, I felt so ashamed. I usually hit the snooze button so I can sleep five minutes longer. I should use the practitioner’s advice as a reminder from our merciful Master. I am exposing my attachment of seeking comfort so I can remove the bad substance.

Thankfulness and Gratefulness

I am thankful to my fellow practitioners in the Fa-memorization group and grateful to Master for giving us such a good platform to memorize the Fa together. We should cherish the environment, abide by the rules, and cooperate with those who host the sessions. Let’s memorize the Fa well, improve together diligently, and live up to Master’s compassion.

The above is my experience after participating in the Fa-memorization group. If there is anything that is not in accordance with the Fa, please kindly point it out to me.

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Category: Improving Oneself