(Minghui.org) I recently read an article on Minghui entitled “A Common Sense Perspective on Shen Yun’s Role in Society.” The author suggested that we use common sense to evaluate situations and look at the big picture. We should defend Falun Dafa when there’s defamatory propaganda against it, but we shouldn’t get carried away.

In this complicated modern society it’s important to use common sense and not go to extremes—these attributes are part of mankind’s traditional values.

As Falun Dafa practitioners, we know who Master is and what Dafa is—our focus should be on constantly improving ourselves and walking our cultivation paths well to fulfill our mission. We have the Fa (teachings) as our guide to help us navigate the complicated maze of modern society and it’s many distractions. Because of our many human notions, and while surrounded by countless temptations it’s unlikely that we’d get out of the maze without this guidance.

Cultivation practice is serious. If we hold onto attachments, we may invite difficulties. Practitioners should focus on eliminating their attachments and be good people. In Zhuan Falun, Master mentions that practitioners should not have attachments to showing off, jealousy, competitiveness, or zealotry. We should look within whenever we encounter difficulties.

Even though some practitioners read Zhuan Falun, they tend to pick on or compete with others. They even look for “spies” among practitioners. Are they looking inward and cultivating themselves?

Master pointed out in Zhuan Falun and his other lectures that it’s not enough to just acknowledge that Dafa is good, and that we should not use Dafa’s principles to judge others. Whenever we encounter issues we should look inward and cultivate ourselves. Being humble and looking inward is truly cultivating ourselves.

Members of some news media run by Falun Dafa practitioners formed small groups and criticized others. Some did not learn from their mistakes, and continued. Others felt that these conflicts were opportunities to improve their xinxing and brought the conflicts to non-practitioners. Would a genuine practitioner do something like this, and damage our efforts to help Master save people?

Many things can be judged by common sense if we look at the big picture. When we send out these emails or post such content online out of negative feelings, how would everyday people interpret this? How would divine beings look at this? When the old forces see us creating issues instead of cultivating ourselves won’t they take advantage of these loopholes, causing harm to us, to others, and to the projects?

Everything we encounter is part of our cultivation. How we handle difficulties shows what kind of people we are, and if we are genuine Falun Dafa disciples. Master pointed this out in a recent article:

“Has it not occurred to you that this serves as a way to reveal, in the final hour, those who haven’t really practiced, who have been faking it, or who haven’t actually put their hearts into working on themselves?” (“Critical Times Reveal One’s Spiritual State”)

In 1996, Master wrote:

“In fact, most interference for Dafa comes internally, from practitioners themselves. External factors can only affect a few individuals and are unable to alter the Fa. Whether it be at present or in the future, those who can undermine our Fa are none other than our own disciples. Be careful!” (“Immutable,” Essentials for Further Advancement)

In the same article, Master also wrote:

“Dafa is the solemn, great Fa of the universe. Even if you disrupt just a bit of it, what a mammoth sin that is! As a cultivator, you should practice cultivation in an open and dignified manner and look at the larger picture.”

I think we should take this seriously.