(Minghui.org) I began practicing Falun Dafa about 24 years ago. Throughout all these years, one attachment I never truly noticed was my habit of revisiting memories and experiences from my childhood and youth. I not only saw this as natural, but even as something positive—almost a form of entertainment that seemed to strengthen family bonds. I was unaware that these thoughts were rooted in ordinary human emotion and that they could quietly give rise to feelings of regret, nostalgia, or even a longing to relive a former way of life.
In our family, one long-standing tradition has been looking at old family photos and videos, especially those from our childhood. Whenever we gather together, one of my sisters—who carefully collected and preserved these photos—would bring them out and show them. We would talk at length about the past, reliving memories, and often saying things like, “Those were the days,” “What a pity it’s over,” or “I wish we could go back,” and “Life was better then.” I didn’t realize that such thoughts may be normal for ordinary people, who remain within the cycle of reincarnation and the pursuit of worldly desires. But cultivators are meant to move toward consummation, and they no longer cling to everyday human life.
From the moment we began cultivation, our lives were changed. Under Master’s compassionate arrangement, we embarked on a life dedicated solely to cultivation. So how can we still hold onto worldly desires and emotional attachments? Wouldn’t such thoughts limit our progress toward consummation or even interfere with our cultivation path?
This realization became very clear to me a few days ago. One of my sisters sent me several old photos from our youth. Without realizing it, I spent a long time looking at them, sinking into nostalgia and longing for the beauty of those moments and the plans we once shared as a family. I kept replaying those memories in my mind. As these thoughts grew stronger, the old forces took advantage of my gap, and more photos were sent to keep my mind occupied and pull me deeper into sorrow and longing.
Suddenly, I noticed something unusual. Although I once enjoyed taking photos and collecting family videos myself, almost all of my old photos had somehow disappeared. I had virtually none left from my childhood or youth. Even my sister said, with surprise, that my childhood photos were missing and that she only had a few. I realized that the only photos I still had were taken after I began cultivation, and most of them were related to cultivation activities. I asked myself, “Could this really be just a coincidence?”
I came to understand that perhaps my past was not meant to remain before my eyes. I had changed, and I was no longer supposed to hold onto it. I had chosen a life of cultivation, so why was I still clinging to moments from a time when I wasn’t even a practitioner? Wasn’t this attachment quietly strengthening the mindset of an ordinary person and potentially affecting my cultivation, slowing my growth and progress?
Through this awakening, I realized several attachments and shortcomings within myself were being reinforced by revisiting those photos and memories: an attachment to worldly enjoyment, a lack of responsibility for the great mission we are entrusted with, seeking comfort, an attachment to physical beauty, and deep emotional dependence on family relationships. Of course, having a family and maintaining kind and loving relationships is a good thing. But what was being strengthened in me through these memories was not compassion—it was longing and regret.
I also realized that I did not truly cherish what I have gained through cultivation. What I have received is immeasurable, yet it became ordinary in my eyes. A practitioner should focus on cultivation and on doing the three things well. Using “entertainment” as an excuse allowed unhealthy and painful attachments to grow. In contrast, every time I study the Fa deeply, I feel a profound sense of peace, clarity, and liberation. This made it very clear to me which path is truly better and more aligned with my true self.
Please point out anything that I can improve on.
Thank you, Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners!
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Category: Cultivation Insights
