(Minghui.org) Master has enlightened me during cultivation in recent years, with certain passages from his teachings appearing in my mind. Perhaps because I’ve memorized more of the Fa, this method of enlightenment has become more pronounced.
While practicing the exercises one day, a sentence from Master’s lecture in the fourth chapter of Zhuan Falun suddenly came to mind:
“Whether you can cultivate all depends upon whether you can endure, sacrifice, and suffer.”
At that moment, however, I couldn’t recall the word “sacrifice” in the phrase, even though I had memorized this sentence.
When I finished the exercises, I hurried to the book and saw the word “sacrifice.” My heart stirred... Was Master reminding me that I wasn’t putting in enough effort? Was I not doing enough to promote Shen Yun? Perhaps compared to many other practitioners, I hadn’t done enough—however I worked hard with the time I could spare!
For instance, during the week-long Thanksgiving break, spanning two weekends and nine days, I didn’t stop promoting Shen Yun for a single day. Was my approach too limited (due to time constraints, I mainly focused on hanging posters)? At that moment, I didn’t fully grasp what Master was hinting at. But an event that unfolded the following weekend brought true clarity to Master’s guidance.
I went to a busy street to put up posters on Saturday, and towards the end, I reached a dental clinic. I had run out of calendars and only had posters and flyers. I knew calendars were good for clinics as they can be used all year. I hesitated, thinking perhaps I should just go in with what I have, or return to the car to get a calendar. It would take ten minutes, and this was the only clinic here.
Thinking about the effort involved I remembered Master’s advice that day, about “sacrifice.” Since it’s for the benefit of others, what was there to hesitate about? So I decided to go back to the car.
The doctor happened to be at the front desk when I walked into the clinic, a rarity, since he is usually in the back. He kindly asked if I needed anything. I explained that I was there to deliver a Shen Yun calendar, something they could use all year.
He said, “Ah, I often see Shen Yun advertisements, but what exactly do the words ‘Shen Yun’ mean?” This was the first time someone had asked me this question. I immediately thought of what the host said during the Shen Yun performance, that “Shen Yun” means the beauty of divine beings dancing. So I told him.
The moment I said the word “beauty,” he made an exaggerated expression and exclaimed, “Ah, the beauty!” I quickly added, “...of divine beings dancing.” As I finished those words, his expression shifted—from playful, to earnest and respectful. I was deeply moved. This simple phrase, which we often hear in the performance, holds such profound power.
After receiving the Shen Yun calendar and flyers, he immediately noticed the top line: “China Before Communism.” He mentioned he was reading a book about the Cultural Revolution, which described how even children might denounce their parents back then. I confirmed that it was true—families, spouses, teachers, and students could turn against each other, though it was rarely their true intent; rather, they were strongly influenced by the CCP.
He remarked how terrifying that was, adding that it was fortunate that America wasn’t communist. I reminded him that the CCP is also doing harmful things in America now. He listened intently. Coincidentally, I had a few leaflets about the CCP’s transnational suppression in my bag, so I handed them to him and the two staff members at the front desk. After reading the flyer, the doctor told me, “I completely believe what you’re saying.” I replied, “That’s because you’re a kind person,” which made him happy. Of course, I reminded him and his staff about purchasing Shen Yun tickets. We parted on a pleasant note.
As I left the clinic, I immediately realized that the reason I had such a great opportunity to clarify the truth to the doctor today was that I had the thought, “being willing to do a little more for all people.” If I had simply walked in with the flyer without that thought, the doctor wouldn’t have been at the front desk, and none of this would have happened.
Through this experience, Master showed me that if my moral character improves even slightly, and I have more compassion, the effect of saving people will be different. Conversely, even if I do a lot, the effect might not be significant. Therefore, I enlightened to the fact that when promoting Shen Yun, it’s not only about taking action, but also about truly caring about the welfare of others—in essence, having compassion.
Where did I fall short before? Upon carefully looking within, I realized that my mindset when doing Shen Yun was often driven by a sense of duty—feeling that as a Dafa disciple, I should or must do this because it was Master’s request. It wasn’t born from a genuine cherishing and compassion for life, nor was it a fully conscious willingness to bear burdens and make sacrifices for all beings.
I’ve long known that doing things and cultivation are not the same. Only now do I clearly understand that doing many things to save people and having a strong desire to save sentient beings are also not the same. Of course, a cultivator with a strong desire to save sentient beings will certainly do many things to save people, but the reverse is not necessarily true.
What is it that prevents me from becoming truly and wholeheartedly willing to give more for all beings? I discovered it is a deeply rooted lack of concern for other beings. Sometimes it manifests as indifference, and I even mistakenly thought it was a sign of good cultivation. But in reality, it is apathy—knowing that lives are being destroyed, yet feeling no urgency, and remaining unmoved. This still stems from the self-centered nature of the old universe.
Looking back on the path I’ve walked, I feel ashamed. Though I strive each year to promote Shen Yun, my unnoticed indifference has cost me countless opportunities to clarify the truth. Sometimes I even think that most shop owners aren’t in their stores during business hours, doctors aren’t at the front desk, and I can’t reach mainstream society anyway!
Yet if I truly carried a field of compassionate, righteous thoughts, perhaps that destined shop owner or doctor would have been available, just as in the example above. I’ve also encountered many people who express interest in seeing Shen Yun, but I only remind them to buy tickets soon, never once considering returning later to follow up. I haven’t cared enough to think of doing these things.
But I clearly know this indifference does not belong to the selfless nature of Dafa disciples, for our life essence has been renewed by Master. The new universe requires us to become lives wholly devoted to others.
Therefore, we absolutely cannot acknowledge this indifference and must reject it. As these thoughts arose, another of Master’s teachings echoed in my mind:
“So the Creator now maketh the universe anew,Out of His love for all living creatures.”(“Fail Ye Not,” Hong Yin VI)
Indeed, the beings Master loves—we too must love them! We cannot be indifferent! Of course, Master’s love is compassion.
By sharing this personal experience, I hope that as we strive to promote Shen Yun, we will also pay attention to our mindset while doing things, cultivating more compassion. Only then can we bring more people into Shen Yun’s theaters. Master will surely enlighten us in the areas where we need improvement.
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Category: Improving Oneself
