(Minghui.org) I have been having trouble staying alert while sending forth righteous thoughts in the past two years. Sometimes, when fellow practitioners in my Fa study group reminded me, I would try my best to stay awake for a while. But then I would start dozing off again. They would remind me again. I then kept my eyes open to avoid falling asleep. But after a while, I got sleepy again. I tried different methods to help me stay awake, but none had a significant effect.
Corrected the issue
One day, after finishing Fa study, a practitioner suggested, “You should try to get up early and practice the exercises.” This practitioner works full-time during the day, but he manages to practice all five sets of exercises every morning, and attends group Fa study in the evening. He does other things, including working overtime, and only sleeps four or five hours a day. I don’t have to go to work, and I have plenty of free time. It’s my laziness and the attachment to comfort that are holding me back. I decided to start doing the exercises the next morning. Another fellow practitioner also reminded me to stay alert while sending forth righteous thoughts. I responded quickly, “No problem.” As a Dafa disciple in the Fa-rectification period, I knew I should overcome this.
The next day, I got up as soon as the alarm rang and practiced the standing exercises for an hour. Although my arms ached after the second exercise, I felt completely relaxed afterward. That evening, during Fa study, I followed Master’s instructions for practicing the sitting meditation—keeping my body upright. With my posture corrected, I immediately felt that every word of the Fa resonated deeply within me. When sending forth righteous thoughts, I tried my best to sit up straight. Previously, when I was tired, I would slouch, seeking comfort.
During the first few days, my shoulders and neck were sore and aching. Sometimes, when I slouched, I would immediately stretch out and quickly correct my posture. After three to four days, when I asked fellow practitioners why they did not remind me anymore, they said that there was no need because I stayed alert. I had corrected the issue that bothered me for years.
Master taught us, “If thoughts are righteous, evil will collapse.” (What’s to Fear, Hong Yin II)
It was amazing! Since then, I have not experienced the same issue again. I am grateful to Master for his compassionate salvation and to fellow practitioners for their kind reminders. This was all because of the group Fa study environment created by Master.
The group Fa Study Environment
Fellow practitioners in my Fa study group have greatly contributed to my improvement in cultivation. One newer practitioner who obtained the Fa only a few years ago, has maintained the same initial state of diligence. He studies the Fa extensively every day and does the exercises diligently as well. He always sits in the full lotus position while studying the Fa.
I have always struggled to endure hardship. I used to believe it was because my legs are short and it’s difficult for me to sit in the lotus position. I felt that my legs hurt more than anyone else’s. Then a fellow practitioner reminded me, “I’m also in a lot of pain, but I just don’t give up.”
Master taught us, “When it’s difficult to endure, you can endure it. When it’s impossible to do, you can do it.” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)
Seeing how diligent others are, I looked inward. I realized it was a human notion that short legs make it difficult to sit in the full lotus position. I became determined and started sitting in full lotus during Fa study. I also started doing the standing exercises for an hour in the morning. I had made this resolution many times before, vowing to get up early the next day to practice the exercises. But laziness and sleepiness made me fail over and over again.
After so many years of cultivation, I felt ashamed of falling behind new practitioners. I listened to Master’s teachings, “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (Solid Cultivation, Hong Yin)
I was able to break through and do the second exercise for an hour. This progress would not have been possible without the encouragement and guidance of my fellow practitioners.
Another practitioner who is kind and humble, is meticulous and conscientious in her work, and always considerate of others. She often carefully and thoroughly discussed any issues from the perspective of the Fa with fellow practitioners. She had reminded me to stay alert while sending forth righteous thoughts. After sharing with her, I now have stronger righteous thoughts. Once, I felt like a huge mountain sitting there, with a continuous stream of righteous thoughts energy flowing in all directions, bright red and radiant. It was a truly magnificent experience.
The problem of not being able to stay alert while sending forth righteous thoughts is quite common among elderly practitioners. I am sharing my experience, hoping to remind fellow practitioners. Thank you, Master, for arranging wonderful fellow practitioners to be by my side. We will encourage each other and follow Master to return home.
