(Minghui.org) Greetings, Respected Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
Looking back over my 12 years of cultivation, I have deeply felt the boundless compassion and painstaking salvation of our revered Master. Such feelings are truly beyond words—the only thing I can do is to be more diligent, follow Master’s teachings, and do the three things well.
Part One: Looking Within in My Work
My job is to train people who come to learn how to make pastries. However, the students come from all sorts of backgrounds, and some of them have very poor behavior and bad habits. I tried to use stricter rules to control them, or raise my voice to scold them, but it made absolutely no difference.
At this moment of confusion and frustration, I recalled Master’s teaching,
“Whatever you experience during your cultivation—whether good or bad—is good, for it comes about only because you are cultivating.” (“To the Chicago Fa Conference,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III)
Indeed, if I merely regarded everything as “bad luck” or the fault of someone else, then I would be no different from an ordinary person, and I would have missed the chance to improve in cultivation. I began to understand that the chaotic situation I was experiencing was not accidental. So I calmed down and stopped blaming others, and instead began to look inward. Once I did so, I found many attachments. For example, the attachment to fame and vanity. I longed for my training to be successful. Though part of that came from being responsible, it was also mixed with the desire for students’ approval and praise. I wanted them to think of me as a “capable” and “competent” teacher. That craving for applause was, in itself, vanity.
Next, I saw my attachment to saving face and self-esteem. When students challenged me or refused to cooperate, I felt humiliated, as though my authority had been undermined. That intense feeling of “being wronged” stemmed from a sensitive and rigid sense of pride. I was attached to the dignity of being a manager, yet forgot about the calmness that a cultivator should display.
I then saw my attachment of fear and self-interest. I worried that if things got out of hand, my superiors would question my abilities, which might affect my future. This concern for personal gain made me hesitant and fearful, preventing me from acting with true fairness.
Once I found the roots of my problems, I let go of these human attachments. I no longer sought my students’ praise or their obedience; I only asked myself whether I had fulfilled my duty to teach and guide them well. When I let go of my vanity, I could face their disobedience with greater calmness and patience. When I dropped the superior attitude of being a “manager,” I began to communicate with them sincerity, on an equal basis. I also stopped worrying about what my supervisors thought of me, focusing only on what I should do at that moment.
After I changed my mindset, amazing things started to quietly happen. In the next two training sessions, the classroom atmosphere became more harmonious than ever before; interactions became positive; even the most “difficult” students became more focused than before.
It wasn’t because I used any clever management skills, it was because I had changed my heart. The students could no longer feel the anxiety, judgment, and hostility that used to emanate from me, so their defenses naturally dissolved.
I came to realize that everything and everyone we encounter, all reactions and behaviors, are reflections of our own inner state. For example, the students’ poor performance was in fact a mirror of my own attachments. When I cultivated away my attachments, the external environment changed as well.
Looking back on this experience, my heart is filled with endless gratitude—gratitude for Master’s guidance, and even gratitude toward those students who, in the form of adversity had helped me improve in cultivation.
Part Two: Finding Answers in the Fa Amid Conflicts
One morning, I pushed open the door of the shop as usual. But instead of the usual greetings, what met me was a sudden silence. Several colleagues who had been chatting in the corner suddenly dispersed; faint whispers still lingered in the air, and the sight of them deliberately avoiding my gaze painted a picture that was silent yet thunderous. Even without hearing the conversation, I knew what they had been discussing: my salary was higher than theirs, and the boss treated me differently.
My first reaction was a mixture of grievance and anger. I thought about all the overtime and hard work I had put in, about all those late nights when I had racked my brain to solve a problem. Why should I have to endure these invisible accusations? A strong impulse surged within me to explain, to defend myself, and even to confront them. But reason told me that any outward defense could easily turn the silent conflict into an open confrontation.
I asked myself: Why did my colleagues’ gossip make me feel uneasy? On the surface, it seemed like I was angry at being judged unfairly. But when I looked deeper, I found that my uneasiness actually came from fear – fear of being isolated, fear that the good relationships I had worked so hard to build would be destroyed. Digging even deeper, there was a subtle “insecurity” at work: Did I truly deserve this special treatment? Was the boss’s appreciation just accidental?
I decided not to focus on how to “correct” my colleagues’ views anymore, but instead on adjusting my own mindset. First, I re-examined my work. I listed the projects I had led over the past year, the suggestions I had made for improvements, and the positive feedback from clients. This wasn’t to compare myself with others, but to see clearly that my salary was based on real contributions, not favoritism. This understanding gradually gave me inner peace and confidence.
Second, I tried to face the conflict with the humility and compassion of a cultivator, rather than the defensiveness of an ordinary person. In the past, I might have unconsciously displayed a sense of superiority. Now, I learned to sincerely appreciate the unique strengths of every colleague — for example, sister Li’s communication skills with clients were unmatched, and Zhang was extremely efficient in execution. When I genuinely acknowledged their strengths and expressed my appreciation during cooperation, my attitude naturally became humble.
Most importantly, I stopped seeing myself as a “victim.” I no longer imagined myself as someone being isolated. At work, I took the initiative to share information and to participate in teamwork actively, as if that gossip had never happened. I no longer avoided their eyes out of guilt. Instead, I could interact with everyone calmly and naturally.
About two weeks later, during a lunch break, Zhang voluntarily sat next to me and started chatting about a recent project. He smiled and said, “With you on the team, things went much smoother.” At that moment, I knew that the ice had begun to melt.
Did they ever completely let go of their resentment about my salary? I don’t know, nor do I worry about it anymore. Because to me, that episode had already turned into a precious cultivation opportunity. I realized that the external world is like a mirror, reflecting our inner state. When my heart is full of conflict, the outside world will be filled with clashes; but when my heart is calm, the outside world can hardly stir up real waves.
Part Three: Improving my Xinxing and Clarifying the Truth
Once, while I was studying the Fa, my mind kept being disturbed by an unpleasant incident with a colleague. That matter replayed itself over and over in my head, making it impossible for me to calm down and focus on Fa study.
Right at that moment, I happened to read the section “Perfecting Your Character.” Master said,
“But eventually, when the progress of their energy catches up with that of their character, the tensions and interpersonal things that they experience will have to be intensified if their energy is to develop further.” (The Fourth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
Suddenly, my mind trembled. The two words “xinxing” (energy) seemed to stand out in three-dimensions, thick, dark, and large, as if they filled my entire field of vision. At that instant, the words were so immense that I was completely shocked. My body shivered involuntarily, and my heart lit up: I realized that this was Master compassionately enlightening me, telling me to raise my xinxing!
In that moment, I understood: Wasn’t this conflict in front of me precisely a test? A cultivator must truly cultivate, and that means finding one’s own shortcomings in the midst of conflicts. Since Master had already given me such a hint, what else was there that I couldn’t let go of? Thinking of this, my heart became clear. The resentment and irritation that had been weighing on me suddenly dissolved. In their place arose a feeling of ease, calmness, and gratitude. I no longer held grudges against that colleague, and instead I developed genuine goodwill toward him. Since the conflict appeared to help me elevate my xinxing, I should use the benevolent thoughts of a Dafa practitioner to dissolve it.
I later took the initiative to speak with that colleague. I knew he had heard about my practicing Falun Gong, so I took this opportunity to tell him about Dafa. I gave him some truth-clarification materials, helping him understand what Falun Dafa really is, and even showed him Master’s teachings. After reading them, he was visibly moved. My sincerity and kindness gradually touched him — he not only stopped being resistant, but even began to tell others that I was “a really good person.”
Seizing the opportunity, I persuaded him to “withdraw from the CCP and its affiliated organizations,” and he readily agreed. As our friendship deepened, at the beginning of 2024, he even said to me of his own initiative: “I want to learn the five sets of exercises.” I was very happy and gave him the instructional video. He began to learn the movements and earnestly read the copy of Zhuan Falun that I gave him. Seeing him go from his initial resistance and hesitation, to gradual acceptance, and finally to a willingness to study and practice, I truly felt the boundless compassion of Dafa and better understood Master’s painstaking efforts.
Through this incident, I came to a deeper realization: Every single thing we encounter in cultivation is not accidental. Conflicts appear to help us improve our xinxing – they are all good opportunities to cultivate. If I had hung on to my resentment or personal grudges, I might have missed all of this. But by looking inward, letting go of hatred, and treating my colleague from the perspective of a Dafa disciple, I not only improved my xinxing, but also helped him learn the truth. Isn’t this precisely the greatness and sacredness of Dafa?
Over the years, I have always followed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in my daily life, working diligently, treating others kindly, and doing my job conscientiously. I have gradually earned the respect of my colleagues and friends. People around me often say, “You really have good relationships with everyone—you’re such a genuinely good person.” Whenever I hear that, I smile and reply, “Because I practice Falun Dafa—our Master teaches us to do so.” Hearing that, they often show understanding and admiration.
Cultivating Dafa really is a process of elevating one’s soul. It has not only changed my temperament and mindset, but has also enabled me to maintain kindness amid conflicts and let go of resentment. More importantly, in the process of saving people, I have felt the joy of seeing lives being saved. Every act of letting go is an elevation; every act of kindness is a manifestation of compassion.
Part Four: My Test in the Face of Fame and Gain
In September 2023, I won second place in the Yum Cha category at the national chefs’ competition held in Sydney. In September of this year, I once again stepped onto the stage in Sydney to participate in the World Chefs Association’s certified chef qualification competition. This time, I received the highest medal in the Yum Cha group. Shortly after the two competitions ended, several hotels and restaurants reached out to me with lucrative job offers. But I didn’t hesitate for even a second — I politely declined them all. Because I knew very clearly that all my hard work over the years was not for fame or wealth. I deeply understood that everything I had achieved, my accomplishments and honors, came entirely from Falun Dafa. Dafa gave me a second life; it also gave me wisdom and ability. The skills I have learned and the achievements I have gained should all be dedicated back to Dafa.
Over the years, in my workplace, I have never quarreled with colleagues over personal gain. I do not pick or choose tasks; I come early and leave late, quietly doing more than is required. Many people don’t understand, and some even mock me to my face, calling me “foolish.” But I know clearly in my heart: What I do is not for anyone’s praise, but is part of cultivating my xinxing. I understand that every conflict a cultivator encounters is an opportunity to improve one’s heart and mind.
When I returned to work with my latest award, I noticed subtle changes in my colleagues’ expressions. Some looked at me with admiration, while others looked at me with jealousy.
This was not the first time I had encountered such a situation. The previous time my colleagues had become jealous of me, I chose to look inward and reflect on my own attachments, and eventually everything was resolved harmoniously.
However, this time, the test was even more severe. The newly arrived head chef was a man with a bad temper. Yelling and scolding employees had become his daily routine. He was also extremely arrogant and couldn’t tolerate anyone being better than him. He couldn’t accept that I’d received an award, so as a supervisor, I became his main target of criticism. Particularly since my absence during the competition caused some tasks to be delayed, he seized the chance to find fault in every way possible. In a single day, I was scolded more than anyone else.
At first, I failed to maintain my xinxing. Faced with his unreasonable attitude, I couldn’t help but argue with him several times, and even intentionally mentioned my awards to provoke him. At that moment, I did not act with the forbearance of a practitioner, nor did I remember to look within at all times.
When I calmed down, I realized the problem was not in others, it was in me. So I began to unconditionally look inward. After reflecting deeply, I found many attachments still existed: the attachment to saving face, selfishness, the pursuit of fame, the show-off mentality, the heart of competitiveness, the mindset of looking down on others, the desire for recognition from others … These attachments might be hidden in daily life, but once conflicts arose, they were all exposed. In cultivation, such attachments may appear, but what matters is recognizing and removing them.
After several days, my mind gradually became calm again. When the head chef scolded me, I no longer got angry or argued. Instead, I quietly listened, treating it as an opportunity to improve myself. Gradually, I could even face him peacefully, without letting my emotions get stirred up.
Unexpectedly, this change in me also influenced him. One day, near the end of work, he called me over. After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m really sorry for scolding you so many times lately. Just like you said, Falun Gong practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance – I’ve truly seen that now. I won’t treat you that way anymore. I need to change my bad temper too.”
Hearing that, my heart remained calm. I knew it wasn’t because of my own ability, it was the manifestation of Dafa’s power. When I truly let go of attachments and handle things from a cultivator’s perspective, conflicts can be resolved naturally.
This experience made me understand even more deeply that cultivation happens in the ordinary details of daily life – in conflicts and tribulations we can constantly elevate ourselves. If one only cultivates in favorable conditions, that is not true cultivation. Only by maintaining one’s xinxing amid adversity can one truly display the demeanor of a genuine cultivator.
Conclusion
Looking back on my journey of obtaining the Fa and cultivating, I feel that persisting in studying the Fa has been the key to my continuous improvement. Only by deepening my understanding of the Fa can I identify my attachments and remove them one by one. Because of this foundation of Fa-study, I can always keep my main consciousness strong. From time to time, I look over my cultivation path, use the Fa to rectify myself, and make a summary for myself to ensure that I “cultivate as I did at the beginning,” and become a qualified, genuine Dafa disciple.
The above is my sharing and understanding. If there is anything improper, please compassionately correct me.
Thank you, Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners!
(Selected submission presented at the 2025 Australia Fa Conference)
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