(Clearwisdom.net) I have practiced medicine for thirty years, and have formed an ingrained concept of diseases. As soon as someone mentioned any symptoms, I would find an immediate explanation based a specific disease or class of disease. After I began Falun Dafa practice, it was difficult for me to truly break through this concept. Whenever I was physically uncomfortable I would link it to an illness. For example, I would associate a headache with high blood pressure. An odd heartbeat could possibly be a sign of coronary disease, sniffling nose would mean a cold, and knee joint pain could mean bone problems. As I began to comprehend the Fa better, I gradually improved and began regarding illnesses as related to karma elimination, and changed my way of thinking.
Teacher said,
"But, usually when a conflict comes along, if it doesn't provoke you, it doesn't count, it doesn't work, and you won't be able to improve from it." ("The Fourth Talk" from Zhuan Falun, 2003 translation version)
I experienced a tribulation on the notion of illness, which made me realize that studying the Fa has to be solid and must touch the soul. Otherwise, it will not be effective. I study the Fa at regular times, with fairly good concentration, and remind myself to have righteous thoughts, a pure heart and firm belief. Once, I had experienced severe kidney and bladder symptoms, something very common for me prior to Dafa practice. After beginning the practice, I feared the recurrence of these symptoms. Then it did actually happen and was more serious than before. I had initially attempted to immediately eliminate the disturbances and sent forth righteous thoughts. In the back of my mind, though, I was thinking, "What if I have a urinary tract infection that has infected my kidneys and subsequently had an impact on my kidney function?"
Because the symptoms were so severe I could not stand it any longer. In great pain I took two antibiotic tablets. This was the first time I took medicine since beginning the practice. As the pill moved down my throat, my tears flowed. "What am I doing?" I asked myself. "Is this how you believe in Teacher and the Fa? Why are you so afraid? Can't you let go of your concern for life and death?"
Taking those two pills showed me that I still had a need for drastic improvement, and attachments which I had not overcome, even after years of Dafa practice. I simply did not have the proper thoughts, the pure heart, and did not have firm belief in Dafa. I felt by then that I had not made enough of an effort. I cried and asked Teacher, "Teacher, please give me another chance. The two pills are only the size of two small beans. Let them pass through me without any effect. Please watch me. Now I will no longer have fear, any pain or any kidney problems. I am a Dafa practitioner." Teacher said,
"...if a piece of sawdust or a wood chip is dropped into a furnace of molten steel, instantly you won’t see even a trace of it. A person is like that wood chip, and this Dafa of the cosmos is like that furnace of molten steel. To assimilate a person, to assimilate one person, is just so easy." ("Teaching the Fa at the Conference in New Zealand" on May 8, 1999)
Dafa can correct any abnormal state. Things mysteriously manifest themselves, right then and there. The pain left me. Moreover, since then, the frequent symptoms have not appeared again.
The old concepts, built based on years of scientific evidence accumulated since a young age, are nothing to be afraid of. As one's mind is filled with the Fa, the old notion is nothing. Once I realized that, I became totally relaxed. I had become aware that there is no class distinction among Dafa practitioners, that it does not matter if you are a professor, a high-level researcher, or a common laborer or housewife. Those are all ordinary jobs and nothing to feel smug about. On the other hand, I must say there is a difference. A professional researcher would have been more influenced by old concepts and notions and would have to spend more effort in studying the Fa to improve him or herself. Dafa practice is certainly very serious and there are no shortcuts. Being opportunistic would be self-deceptive. Gods are watching you, and they know everything you do, even your smallest thoughts.
Studying the Fa is the only way to eliminate old notions. One should be sincere in Fa study and allow Fa principles to saturate your mind.
"'The Buddha Fa' enables humankind to understand the immeasurable and boundless world." (Lunyu)
In front of the Buddha Fa, old notions and concepts are nothing.
Please compassionately point out any mistakes I might have made with my limited comprehension of the Fa.
