(Clearwisdom.net) Through studying the Fa, I realized that there are two types of behaviors among practitioners that suggested that they do not have a proper understanding of who we are. First is over-confidence about oneself and putting one's own supernormal capabilities and own understandings higher than the Fa, which is "breeding demons in your own mind." This is rather rare because most practitioners are well aware of this.
However, the other kind of behavior is less obvious. For example, some think: "Practitioners outside China have a better predestined relationship with Teacher," or, "I have never attended Teacher's classes in person, therefore my inborn quality is not good." As a result, they do not set high standards for themselves. Others think: "I have more karma than this other practitioner, so I cannot be too strict with myself," or, "I am barely literate, so I cannot do such and such." As a result of these thoughts, practitioners have low self-esteem, are not diligent, and are not active in Fa-validation activities. They are trapped by the concept of "self."
There are also those who do not necessarily think this way consciously, but have similar thoughts in their subconscious. In my opinion, it is not appropriate to have a too low self-esteem. In fact, this is as a result of not having a proper understanding of ourselves from the basis of the Fa.
Teacher said in Touring North America to Teach the Fa,
"Back when I was teaching Dafa, why were the old forces dead set on limiting the number of people who would obtain the Fa during the first round to 100 million? Even these 100 million people are the result of my insistence. At the time, the number they limited it to was 70 million, while I wanted 200 million people."
In "Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference," Teacher said,
"This is the principle at high levels of the cosmos: you think someone is good enough, so you choose him--that's the principle."
Through studying the above Fa principles, I realize that we are all chosen by Teacher. This is the utmost glory. Our different missions determined the differences in our respective way of obtaining the Fa and validating the Fa in different environments. However, if we do not get out of this concept of "self" and assist Teacher in his work at the human level to save the sentient beings deceived by the evil, we will not be able to live up to Teacher's trust and his choosing us. We will let our sentient beings down.
Belittling oneself and not cherishing oneself also reflects how much faith one has in Teacher. In my opinion, this is a reflection of the impurities the old forces have imprinted in one's brain. It's not one's true self. We should understand what they are and eliminate them so that we can catch up with the progress of Fa-rectification to save more people and fulfill our prehistoric vows.
This is my limited understanding only. Kindly point out anything inappropriate.
September 30, 2006
