(Minghui.org) While memorizing the Fa this year, I continually felt some of my acquired notions gradually dissolving, my character elevating, and my mindset becoming more stable. Here, I want to share my transformation.
When I read the Fa, some passages are easy to understand superficially. However, by memorizing them, I gained a deeper understanding of the Fa, and its more profound aspects were gradually revealed to me. I also became more aware of previously unnoticed notions. Later, I increasingly grasped the profound wisdom of the phrase “Plain truths and plain words” in Dafa. We can understand many Fa principles simply by reading their literal meanings when we are free from preconceived notions. I realize that the Fa has always been present, but we cannot grasp its higher-level principles if we study it without focus or are hindered by those acquired notions we aren’t aware of or refuse to let go of.
Master Lisaid, “The more low-level qigong lessons you have taken and the more from them you have absorbed, the more harm you will incur—your body is already messed up.” ( Lecture One, Zhuan Falun). I understand that the more we absorb these lower-level concepts, like human methods and theories, they form mindsets in us, and then control and influence us more strongly. We have accepted and accumulated them over the years, and our minds are accustomed to them, such as 1+1=2. As cultivators, we must transcend these self-evident principles and free ourselves from the influence of acquired notions.
Changing Our Understanding of Illness
I used to see illness as a real, tangible state. My understanding was limited to the idea that cultivators have no illness and to not acknowledging the illness-karma symptoms as true illnesses. Master talked about the Fa principles regarding illness karma in Fa Teaching Given in New York City in 1997. When I revisited this lecture, I realized that the very word “illness” is a concept we learn. For cultivators, the concept of “illness” doesn’t exist. Illness karma cannot exist within a cultivator’s energy field. Cultivators with gong no longer have qi, let alone illnesses.
Cultivators sometimes experience symptoms like headaches and fevers, which are not actual illnesses. If a cultivator uses human, acquired notions to assess these situations, his conclusions will be based on ordinary logic, such as a high body temperature indicates a fever; standing under the scorching sun in summer makes you uncomfortable and prone to heatstroke; someone sneezing nearby spreads bacteria and viruses; not wearing enough clothing in cold weather could cause you to catch a cold.
This cause-and-effect logic subconsciously prompts you to judge situations based on human common sense. The more you rely on and absorb these human notions, the more they stick with you and influence your judgment. You will naturally rely on human experiences and thinking. However, cultivation is about breaking free from the ordinary, getting rid of acquired notions, eliminating karma, and ascending.
Breaking Through Human Notions
I realized that when we say something, adopt an attitude toward something, or form an opinion about someone, we very likely add human notions along the way. At those times, we are not measuring things with the “true standard for telling good from bad” (“Buddha Nature,” Zhuan Falun, Volume II). These notions influence us and create thought karma.
After understanding this phenomenon, I could recognize or discern the origin of such thoughts. For example, it used to be that when I was driving, if a pedestrian or an electric bike suddenly appeared in front of my car, I immediately wondered why they darted around or rode so fast. Now I recognize this thought stems from the notion that I want to live comfortably without any unexpected incidents. When chatting with my colleagues, I often subconsciously agreed with their remarks, although they fell short of a cultivator’s standards.
I realized that I pursued superficial harmony with others and their approval of me to avoid conflict. During heavy rain, seeing people struggling on their bikes while I was driving, I used to think it was nice to own a car and that driving was more comfortable. This reflected my pursuit of better things and a desire to be above others. When I read something nice online or in a book, I wanted to share it with others because it aligned with my own notions. In fact, what ordinary people write may seem correct at first glance, but upon deeper examination often contains complex factors and attachments. They satisfied my notions, so I regarded them as well-said or insightful.
Human notions subconsciously influence us. Although my thoughts seemed ordinary and harmless, they came from acquired notions, not from my true self. These ideas controlled my thinking and led me to rely on them to judge things. Yet I mistakenly believed these notions reflected my values, and I accepted them as natural.
I’ve noticed that all kinds of thoughts constantly come to mind. After examining them closely, I found they were from various notions and created thought karma, which affects my cultivation. When we unconsciously use these notions to judge a situation or think about something, we easily generate karma. Furthermore, holding onto notions creates a false illusion that what we understand is correct, while others have simply failed to see the right perspective. This keeps us stuck in our ways and led by subtle notions. Only by improving one’s character and transforming one’s thinking can one eliminate such karma and obstacles.
The above are some of my current understandings. Please point out anything not in line with Fa.
Category: Cultivation Insights
