(Clearwisdom.net) The attachment of fear often becomes a barrier for some practitioners to do the three things well, which Teacher requires of us, and it makes it especially hard to clarify the truth about Falun Gong. Here, I will share my thoughts and experience regarding this problem.
Actually, the attachment of fear comes from selfishness, which is formed by ordinary people's concepts that gradually accumulate over a long period of time. It is used by the old forces to control practitioners. Once the attachment appears, the evil will take advantage of it and enlarge its impact, and make this attachment even bigger. Many illusions, which show the negative consequences of truth-clarification, will enter one's mind. The more one thinks, the bigger the attachment becomes until one will not dare to step forward to clarify the truth.
Falun Dafa practitioners who cannot step forward to clarify the truth because of the attachment of fear cannot reach the standard of a Falun Dafa practitioner in this period of Fa-rectification. Their actions won't be in line with the Great Law and Teacher's requirements. Lately, in almost every lecture, Teacher has specifically pointed out the problems of these practitioners, and warned them not to lose this precious opportunity. A practitioner who cannot get rid of the attachment of fear and cannot step forward to clarify the truth of Falun Gong will not be able to finish his critical mission at this special period of time in history.
Actually, the attachment of fear is not only one attachment. It is interactive with other attachments. The source of this attachment might be selfishness, which is hidden very deeply. In addition, the attachment of seeking comfort, the attachment of fame and self-interest, and the attachment of sentimentality may also be related. The appearance of the strong attachment of fear shows that a practitioner needs to improve his xinxing as a whole, and also shows that the practitioner does not study the Fa well, does not have strong righteous thoughts, and does not truly believe in Teacher and the Fa. It is very unlikely that practitioners who hold onto the strong attachment of fear are at the same time doing well in other aspects of their cultivation.
How can one get rid of this attachment?
First, I think that getting rid of the attachment of fear should be done throughout the entire process of cultivation. Practitioners can improve during the process of doing well in the three things Teacher has asked us to do. One cannot discard the attachment simply for the sake of getting rid of the attachment. In that case, other attachments might be generated. After gradually letting go of one's attachments, a practitioner will have righteous thoughts and act righteously, and the evil forces will not be able to take advantage of any loopholes. So one can use the power of the righteous thoughts and improve one's xinxing and level. This is also to say that the result of getting rid of the attachment is not so much to get rid of the fear itself. Rather, it is to eliminate the concept of fear, and by not even having the concept of fear, one will be elevated.
Secondly, getting rid of attachments should be done in the context of clarifying the truth. Most of the practitioners who have strong attachments are the people who stay home and imagine what might happen. When they actually go out to clarify the truth, they will find that the reality is different than what they had imagined. The Fa-rectification period has reached the final stage and many ordinary people are waiting to learn the truth. The evil beings are less and less, as so many of them have been already eliminated. This opportunity is rare. A practitioner can get rid of his or her attachments in the process of doing the three things well, especially in the process of clarifying the truth. The more you do to clarify the truth, and the more effort you put into it, the less you will have the attachment of fear, and the path of clarifying the truth will become wider and wider. At that time, you'll see, "After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead!" (Zhuan Falun)
Thirdly, having a strong belief in Teacher and getting rid of the interference and damage of the old forces is important to abandoning the attachment of fear. "Disciples' righteous thoughts are strong, Master has the power to turn back the tide" (from "Master-Disciple Grace" in Hongyin II, provisional translation). Teacher has arranged for us the best and most magnificent path to reach consummation. It would be such a pity if we lose this precious chance just because of the filthy attachment of fear.
The above is based on my own experience. Please correct any wrong understandings I may have.
