Western Practitioner: Thoughts on Cultivation of Speech

(Clearwisdom.net)

There are various types of speech to cultivate. Let's analyze a few common types.

Lacking Restraint

"The personalities of people in Western countries are comparatively outgoing. One can tell when they are happy or angry. This has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages and can result in lack of restraint." ("Jealousy" from Zhuan Falun)

A key characteristic of people who are outgoing is that they are very comfortable communicating with others. During Fa-rectification especially, having no fear or reservations about talking with others can of course be a great asset. If one is afraid or anxious about talking, especially with people they do not know, opportunities to clarify the truth and save sentient beings could be lost.

Of course, we do not want to go to extremes. If we are overly willing to talk, or even get very excited when we talk, then we have gone to an extreme, and what follows is a lack of restraint. This type of talking without restraint can easily be manipulated by the old forces.

There is a notion, especially in Western society, that when working on a project as a team, that each person should have their fair share, and their say in the matter. This is a very common practice. Whether at work or just doing something as a group, many have the notion that everyone should have a say. This is considered to be fair, and there is the notion that everything should be done fairly and everyone should have an equal say. Of course, when working on Dafa projects everyone wants the project to succeed and produce the desired results, aiding and taking part in Fa-rectification. Also, many want to have the feeling that they have given their share to this project, and the most direct way is to say what they think. This may seem to be fair and reasonable on the surface, but looking deeper we see that there is selfishness added in, in that this person wants to be sure that their things are included, as opposed to looking at it completely from the point of what may be best for the project and Fa-rectification. Also, there is not always the time for everyone to speak their mind on the issue at hand, and having everyone talk could impede the flow. Master said,

"Let us talk about something that is common, such as 'I want to do this or that,' or 'this matter should now be done this way or that way.' Perhaps it will unintentionally hurt someone. Because interpersonal conflicts are all very complex, one may unintentionally produce karma." ("Cultivation of Speech " from Zhuan Falun)

"So what's their state of mind? It's tolerance, an extremely immense tolerance, being able to accept other beings, and being able to truly think from other beings' perspectives. This is something a lot of you haven't achieved yet in your cultivation, but you're gradually catching on and achieving it. When another God proposes an idea, they aren't eager to reject it, and they aren't eager to express their own ideas and they don't believe that their own ideas are good. Instead, they look at what the end result of the other God's proposed approach will be. The paths are different--everyone's path is different--and the truths that beings validate and enlighten to in the Fa are different, too, but the results might very well be the same. That's why they look at the results, and if the result of a God's idea can achieve the goal, if it can truly achieve it, then all of them will go along with it. That's how Gods think. Also, if there's something lacking in it they'll unconditionally and quietly supplement it to make things more complete and perfect. That's how they handle things. " ("Teaching the Fa at the 2002 Fa Conference in Philadelphia, U.S.A.")

Complaining

Some people complain when things do not go the way they expect or desire. Ordinary people's hearts can be moved by virtually anything. Whenever they do not get what they want, they are often moved. Complaining is seen as an outlet for revealing this unfulfilled desire. In some Western countries, complaining has reached the point that it has become a part of the way daily conversations are held. When someone cannot even find an unfulfilled desire or pain suffered to talk about, they will even complain about the weather.

"Due to karma resulting from past wrongdoing, one has illnesses or tribulations; suffering is repaying a karmic debt, and thus nobody can casually change this." ("Genuinely Guiding People Toward High Levels" from Zhuan Falun)

For ordinary people, suffering and enjoying are normal occurrences, as people have both karma and virtue. For practitioners, we can eliminate karma through suffering. If our heart is moved because we are in pain or have an unfulfilled desire, then we have attachments that need to be relinquished. If we complain about this process, what kind of heart do we have towards cultivation? Master has already eliminated an enormous amount of karma for each and every practitioner; our pain and suffering has already been greatly reduced. The karma that is left is used for our advancement towards cultivation. If we complain about our sufferings, isn't this a type of disrespect towards Falun Dafa cultivation? Even if we are suffering seemingly unfairly at the hands of the old forces, if we begin to complain, doesn't that mean that we are overlooking what we should do to rectify the situation and focusing on our own pain? If we focus on our pain, no matter why we have the pain, how can we expect to break through this tribulation? Each time a complaint comes to our mind, doesn't this signify that we still have attachments to be relinquished? When a complaint comes to mind, there is exactly an opportunity to improve.