(Minghui.org) I was troubled for a long time by an issue that I couldn’t resolve through either kindness or harshness. My husband, who is in his seventies, insisted on opening all the doors and windows every day, regardless of the weather, saying it was for ventilation. I felt so annoyed by this because it let in the intense summer heat, along with leaves, trash, and mosquitoes.

I tried to reason with him, but he ignored me and even cursed me. I felt miserable and thought he was being selfish and inconsiderate. I thought, “How can he be so unreasonable? I hate him.” My thoughts grew darker: “This man is hopeless. I don’t want to see him anymore—he can live by himself.” Even worse thoughts followed.

I felt bitter while enduring this suffering. Yet Master teaches us to be good people, to be selfless, and to put others first. I wondered what I should do.

That afternoon, after a nap, I went downstairs and the doors and windows were open as usual. Indoors felt as hot as outdoors. I was upset but tried hard to endure. My husband asked me about our granddaughter, but I ignored him, because my heart was so moved by his repeated behavior. I could see my attachments of competitiveness, resentment, dislike, and judgment. I told myself to get rid of them, and for a moment I felt calm. But soon afterwards, the bitterness returned.

I had looked within before, but failed to find any attachments. So I concluded that I was right and he was wrong. This time, however, I sensed that my state was not right. If I continued like this, wouldn’t I be the same as him? Wouldn’t I be failing as a cultivator? I resolved to look inward more deeply and uncover any hidden attachment.

I discovered it was jealousy. I felt upset because my husband was lying there comfortably, while making the house disorderly. This deeply hidden jealousy had been holding me back and preventing me from elevating. Once I let it go, my mind became tranquil, and my resentment disappeared. I could respond to my husband’s questions calmly and peacefully.

I then understood that many attachments were caused by jealousy. As a cultivator, I follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and I should think of others first. Why had I struggled so much with my husband, an ordinary person, who just acts based on his own preferences? I said to Master in my heart, “Master, I was wrong. I will change. I will let him do as he wishes, and I will be happy for him, without harboring any negative notions.” After I let go of jealousy, my husband’s behavior and habits began to change.

However, jealousy doesn’t just disappear all at once. It can still come up during conflicts in daily life. Yet now, when similar situations happen, I can remain alert, recognize the jealousy, and remove it.

I am deeply grateful to Master for using my husband to help me eliminate jealousy and repay karma, allowing me to improve. I am grateful to Dafa for guiding my cultivation, and I thank my husband for what he has endured for me. What I experienced may seem like a small matter, but in cultivation, nothing is trivial. Cultivation is serious and sacred. As a disciple, I will walk my path well, guard every thought, study the Fa more and study it well, I will cultivate myself steadily, and become a qualified Dafa disciple during the Fa-rectification period, so that I may follow Master home.

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Category: Cultivation Insights