(Minghui.org) I have recently taken some time to reflect on my cultivation, and I would like to share a few of my experiences.
Suffering Is a Good Thing
Over the past two years, I have experienced several health issues.
One morning, I was awakened by severe pain in my right thumb. I couldn’t straighten it or even touch anything with it. The pain was intense and affected both my daily life and work. I had never experienced anything like this before—it was very unsettling.
While my thumb was still hurting, I suddenly had a terrible toothache. My face swelled up, and even eating or drinking triggered headaches. Every bite, every sip, was torture.
I looked inward and realized I was still holding on to many attachments that I hadn’t truly eliminated—attachments to food, to comfort, and a habit of complaining. For instance, I had failed to consistently do the exercises in the mornings. Without transforming my body, all kinds of incorrect states had begun to manifest. I wasn’t studying the Fa often enough or with enough depth. As Master said, “Accomplishing is cultivating” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin) Without the power of the Fa, it was difficult for me to remain diligent.
Master also said in “Cautionary Advise” (Essentials For Further Advancement):
“You cannot always count on me to eliminate karma for you while you fail to truly progress in comprehending the Fa and rise above human understandings and notions.”
Although I knew that the human senses were illusions, the pain still felt real. I bore the pain while I listened to and memorized the Fa, strengthened my main consciousness, and held firm to my righteous thoughts. One day, a thought struck me: Suffering is eliminating karma—shouldn’t that be a good thing? Why was I treating it like torment?
From that moment, although the pain remained, it no longer disturbed me. In fact, I felt a kind of joy arise from deep within.
Things Change after My Notion Changes
About a year and a half ago, due to special circumstances, I had to prepare meals at home for my office colleagues. My kitchen was small, and cooking for several people took a lot of time and energy. But as a Dafa practitioner, I felt I should do a good job with whatever was required.
I spent a great deal of time shopping, prepping, and cooking, and I was utterly exhausted every night. I barely had any time to study the Fa or do the exercises. I was worried about this, but I didn’t know how to resolve the situation.
Feeling helpless, I began listening to Master’s lectures in Guangzhou. One day after I finished listening to one lecture, a phrase really struck me: “Your mind must be righteous.” Suddenly, I understood—principles in the human world are the reverse of those at higher levels. Hardships are a reflection of our karma. Master uses interference from the old forces to help us improve.
My mind opened, and I genuinely felt joy amidst suffering. Amazingly, shortly after that, my office notified me that I no longer needed to prepare the meals. It was just as Master said:
“Notions change,The degenerate perish,Light and brightness show.” (“New Life,” Hong Yin)
This experience taught me that all hardships, conflicts, and challenges are, in fact, opportunities to improve our xinxing.
Clarifying the Truth to a Young Mind
I once tutored a high school student in English. I had noticed that many students who lived on campus had the same thoughts—their minds were like blank canvases that the education system and their families filled in.
I gradually incorporated some Falun Dafa information into our conversations. She was open to what I shared. But when I mentioned the Tiananmen self-immolation hoax, she was gripped by fear. I’ll never forget the panic in her eyes. She became distant and avoided me after that, which broke my heart.
However, we eventually reconnected. A few years after she graduated from college, she visited my city while traveling, and we arranged to get together. Before we met, I sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate interference from other dimensions that might prevent her from understanding the truth.
I planned our visit carefully, taking her to local landmarks and introducing her to the regional cuisine. I could tell she had matured. Compared to her high school days, she was no longer easily influenced. She had developed her own perspectives.
We spoke at length—including about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. I showed her to how access the “Quit the CCP” website, and she submitted a declaration to withdraw from the Party and its affiliated organizations.
She said, “I remember being terrified when you mentioned the Tiananmen self-immolation hoax back in high school. I was physically shaking. The kind of fear the CCP instilled in us through their education is horrifying.”
I now realize that cultivation is like rowing against the current—we must be diligent and forge ahead with the same vigor as when we first began. Our diligence should be selfless, aimed at saving more sentient beings and doing so more effectively. My current cultivation state is still in the process of adjustment, and I have yet to break through my bottleneck and overcome my lack of diligence.
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Category: Cultivation Insights
