(Minghui.org) I first heard about Falun Dafa in 2007 while I was in the military, and I began practicing Falun Dafa in 2008 after completing my service. I tried different meditation practices for three years, and meditation was always part of my life. Falun Dafa was very different. When I first began practicing I repeatedly read the main book, Zhuan Falun. Not only is Falun Dafa a high-level practice that answered all my questions about life, but I was also deeply drawn to it as a cultivation practice.
It wasn’t just a physical practice; it was also a practice that cultivates the mind, or in other words, the heart.
Many years have passed since I began practicing, and it’s been a deeply fulfilling journey. Although there have been difficulties, when I look back, I now realize that everything was part of my improvement.
I recently received many hints about improving my xinxing, prompting me to look within. As practitioners, we know that we must follow only one path or practice. I’ve come to understand that throughout history, regardless of the specific practice, only those who devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their cultivation were able to truly succeed.
Another insight I had is that the process of cultivation strengthens the heart, making it as strong as steel. In English, this is referred to as “tempering.” Steel is made by first being heated in an intense fire and then forged with a hammer repeatedly until it reaches the desired consistency and shape. Only after this process is complete can steel be truly formed. As I understand it, cultivation is much the same. The ultimate goal is to develop a high xinxing and a will as strong as steel.
As I understand it, the key is to remove qing from our dimensional field and replace it with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Practitioners who cultivate well will naturally develop compassion. At the same time, because they are rooted in the principle of the universe, they will not be easily manipulated like ordinary people. This, as I see it, is very important in our practice.
What’s the difference between a cultivator’s heart and a hardened, petrified heart that we sometimes see in ordinary people? I’ve often asked myself this question and realized that many people, having been hurt and betrayed in human society, become disappointed and disillusioned. Most of the time, such difficulties arise from those closest to us. Many people, not understanding karma or past lives, react with resentment and rebellion. To protect themselves, they hide their true selves behind a hard shell, adopting a more distant or harsher personality. For some, this becomes merely a defense mechanism, while for others, it takes root in their hearts, leading them further astray.
This is an important issue for me because I’ve come to realize that, deep down, I have a heart that loves people and all living things. However, repeated disappointments in my childhood and later in life, as well as the way I was treated by others, led me to hide this heart and cover it with a protective shell. Before I began practicing, I made many mistakes with this hardened heart, and over time, I gradually became that kind of person.
Today, things are different and I’m at peace.
Men are taught to suppress their emotions. However, when we look at history, we see that many great and powerful rulers read poetry and were devoted to their families and loved ones. Although this may seem contradictory, we know that every human being embodies a balance of yin and yang. While a man is primarily yang, he also naturally possesses yin and should not perceive it as a weakness. The same principle applies to women. I now strive to express this softness in many areas of my life. I openly show my compassion, and the results have been very positive.
I’ve had xinxing conflicts with practitioners or ordinary people, and sometimes found myself falling back into old patterns and behaviors. I noticed my belligerence resurfacing and the need for dominance—traits I relied on to protect myself in various stages of my life. These tendencies helped shield me from harm and even win friendships. Such approaches may work in the ordinary human world, but from a practitioner’s perspective, we clearly understand that they aren’t aligned with the path of cultivation. I realize that I need to work on this more, and I can see that I’m making significant progress.
The improvement of the heart is of immense importance. We must not only cultivate a strong will but also radiate the light of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Our hearts should be dedicated to doing the three things, and we should wholeheartedly assist Master in the Fa-rectification period. I hope we can all continue to make progress, maintaining strong righteous thoughts and actions.
After a xinxing conflict, I looked inward. It took some time, but with the help of a fellow practitioner, I discovered my attachment to “expectation.”
Expectation is a common attachment that many people have, and it often manifests in relationships. For example, when doing a favor for someone, one might think, He should return the favor, or I did him a favor, but who knows what I’ll get in return! Similarly, when I share something with fellow practitioners, and they don’t accept it, it can create a conflict.
From an ordinary person’s perspective, this way of thinking may seem reasonable, goodness should be reciprocated with goodness, and when someone speaks the truth, it should be accepted regardless of who says it. However, a practitioner’s perspective is different.
Perhaps we owe that person from a previous lifetime and we are repaying a debt. Or perhaps we perform a good deed, and in return, we gain virtue. If someone treats us poorly in response, we benefit even more because our tolerance is tested and strengthened. Similarly, when offering advice to other practitioners, if it’s not expressed with compassion, the other person may not accept it.
Upon deeper reflection, I realized that it was my “ego” that was expecting something in return.
I translated many articles about near-death experiences, and people who’ve gone through them often speak about unconditional love. Master endures unimaginable hardships for all beings, but expects nothing in return. A Buddha offers salvation purely out of compassion, without seeking any reward.
With this understanding, I realized that the light of the Fa illuminates the entire world. As practitioners, we must nurture our own light without expectation and contribute to the salvation of others. When we truly let go of expecting returns for our actions, we reach the genuine standard of a practitioner. I hope we can all achieve this together as we continue on our path of cultivation.
When I first started practicing, I practiced alone and I experienced many unusual things, sometimes after I meditated I felt like was like I was reborn—there was no pain. Instead I felt a sweet numbness, and it was like all the burden of the world was lifted off me. I had many wonderful experiences like this. I wondered what other practitioners were like.
I first met practitioners at a conference in Ankara in 2009 and then at Shen Yun in Istanbul. I couldn’t understand why some practitioners were so harsh with me. I thought: “Why are these practitioners like this?” In Zhuan Falun Master talks about Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I remembered that Master said to look inward, so I did. When this continued I didn’t argue or defend myself. This went on for about two years. I thought: “They are veteran practitioners; so I have a lot to learn from them.”
I regularly read the Fa with German practitioners, sometimes for 4 or 5 hours, and I did this for several years. After we read we talked about our cultivation experiences. An older practitioner/coordinator began scolding me, and this went on for a very long time and intensified. I always kept quiet and looked inward. I said to myself, Master says practitioners don’t fight back. Eventually I had a xinxing conflict with this practitioner; it was my first xinxing conflict.
Afterwards, I had many xinxing conflicts with my ex-wife, or at work, with my parents, etc..., but especially with practitioners. For example, when I pointed out some loopholes in projects, we had serious conflicts and it really wore me down. I asked myself why I said anything—if they don’t understand me, let it go. Just practice alone and you’ll have peace of mind. But I thought of practitioners and Master. I said that no matter what happens, I won’t quit. I’ll do the three things well and fulfill the vow I made to Master.
I hope that all my fellow practitioners and I continue to do the three things and fulfill our vows. We must remember that all the great enlightened beings in the past, Jesus, Socrates, Shakyamuni, Milarepa, etc., all overcame great trials. So, we should never give up and walk the path to the end, sometimes running, sometimes walking, sometimes crawling, if necessary, but never giving up. In this way we represent the stance and will of a true practitioner.
Letting go of attachments is a crucial part of cultivation. In doing the three things, we must cultivate ourselves, look within, do the exercises, and study the Fa. But truly letting go of attachments is a significant challenge.
As practitioners, we began this path as ordinary people, gradually shedding our attachments step by step. In the past, when a monk entered a temple, he severed all ties with his family, renounced marriage, refrained from eating meat, and abandoned all personal and material possessions. But our path is different.
Master guides us to cultivate within ordinary society—taking things lightly and gradually letting go over time.
Looking back, I realize I relinquished many thing such as smoking, swearing, fighting, alcohol, and other bad habits—step by step. At first, these were just surface-level changes. Over time, I stopped being particular about food, abandoned certain preferences, let go of bad thoughts, and ceased arguing with others.
I let go of many things, and I see that the more I release, the higher I ascend. A practitioner’s level seems to be determined by how much they can truly let go. However, this process must follow the natural course—it cannot be forced or rushed.
What I have come to understand is that the hardest things to let go of are the attachments of the human heart and qing (emotion). These require the most vigilance and effort.
Master said,
“As a matter of fact, when you agonize over infringements upon your reputation, self-interest, and feelings among everyday people, it already indicates that you cannot let go of ordinary human attachments. You must remember this: Cultivation itself is not painful—the key lies in your inability to let go of ordinary human attachments. Only when you are about to let go of your reputation, interests, and feelings will you feel pain.” (“True Cultivation,” Essentials For Further Advancement)
Lately, many practitioners have been encountering challenges—whether in health, emotions, finances, amily matters. As I understand it, the old forces use our karma and any contracts we made with them as excuses to interfere and persecute us.
The persecution in China is unimaginably evil. While we practice in a more relaxed environment, free from such direct persecution, this comfort can make us complacent or leave us vulnerable to various interference.
That’s why, even in a comfortable setting, we must remain vigilant and not let our guard down. Speaking from my own experience, there have been times when I became lax, getting too caught up in the affairs of ordinary life. I hope we can all stay alert and, no matter what happens, continue to do the three things well and fulfill our responsibilities.
As Falun Dafa practitioners, we are incredibly fortunate. The light of the Fa and eternal life await us.
Thank you, compassionate Master! Thank you, fellow practitioners!