(Clearwisdom.net) During an experience sharing session, one practitioner said, "After July 20, 1999 [the date that the persecution of Falun Gong began], many practitioners around me were arrested and persecuted. At that time, I said to myself, 'I will not encounter such things!'" From then on, this practitioner carried out many Dafa projects and validated the Fa with righteous thoughts and actions. Although there were moments when danger came close (because of his ommissions), he was never actually "persecuted." Instead, he encouraged practitioners around him, as well as new practitioners, to step forward and join in the effort of validating the Fa and saving sentient beings.
From the perspective of Fa-rectification, all beings from the old cosmos face two sets of arrangements and choices: One is the path set forth by Master and the other is the one set by the old forces.
After July 20, 1999, Master arranged a path for Dafa disciples to save sentient beings throughout the world. It is a noble and bright way that leads to Consummation and a return home. He did not arrange any personal tribulations or tests. However, what the old forces forced upon us is a treacherous narrow road that is full of huge barriers, suffering and traps. For lack of a clear understanding of the Fa, some practitioners fell for the old forces' arrangements. They trudged over the path and encountered a lot of demonic interference. They struggled through the pain and suffering, and yet "savored" their narrow "escape" from death, unaware of the fact that it was all because they had deviated from the righteous path. Master repeatedly helped them to "escape from danger" by protecting them and suffering for them. He kept waiting for their enlightenment to the Fa principles.
As Dafa disciples, we should be absolute in our choices in cultivation. We cannot grab onto Dafa principles in one hand and principles from the old cosmos in the other. Personally, I feel that practitioners should be more sober over this issue.
September 15, 2007