(Clearwisdom.net) Reading articles on the Clearwisdom website has become part of my cultivation. Fellow practitioners mentioned in the articles that are being selfless, responsible to Falun Dafa, responsible to our cultivation group, considerate of others, and righteous in their thoughts and actions have taught me a lot. I started cultivation not too long ago. I'd like to share my experience on reciting the Fa.
I began reading the Fa in 2003. As my cultivation progressed, I was encouraged by fellow practitioners to recite the Fa. At the beginning, it was quite difficult because I was not yet quite clear about the surface meaning of the Fa; I could only memorize the sentences without comprehending the meaning of every sentence. In spite of this, fellow practitioners still encouraged me. I always carried a small copy of Zhuan Falun in my pocket so that whenever I had time, which was not often, I would memorize a part. Even with the little time I had, I persevered in memorizing what I could. It was hard to recall everything, and sometimes I had to recite it many times before I could finally remember even one sentence or one paragraph. On the days I couldn't calm down, reciting the Fa became much more difficult; when I had a calm mind, I could memorize the Fa more easily. Many times, I recited the Fa in my mind. Whenever I felt like reciting the Fa, either during my spare time or on a break at my work, I would do it.
Now I recite Zhuan Falun once a week, totaling three times that I have recited the whole book. There have been ups and downs in my cultivation due to interference of all kinds, including my attachments. As a result, I had to stop reciting the Fa, and other times when I was very depressed, I could not recall it and even at times could not open the book for a few days. However, as long as I am on the cultivation path, I always keep the thought in my mind that I am memorizing the Fa. At this point, I can finally "read" the Fa without using the book. Even though I have not memorized every single word, my confidence is increasing.
The process of reciting the Fa is part of the process of my cultivation. Sometimes I was interfered with so much that I could not open the book, yet, undaunted, I recited the Fa to eliminate such interference in order to encourage myself. Hence, I felt my level elevating. Whenever my attachments surfaced or I was in a lot of pain, I held the book in front of my chest, while in tears, and tried to eliminate my attachments by reciting the Fa, as well as strengthening my righteous thoughts. Initially, I always felt that I was reciting the Fa for the sake of reciting it, but then I wanted to recite it more and faster. Now I try very hard to calm myself when I recite it while at the same time strengthening my main consciousness and holding myself to the standards of the Fa. As a result, I have become more and more rational. Whenever I run into problems, conflicts, or interference, or my attachment of fear surfaces, a sentence or a paragraph in the Fa often appears in my mind, making me suddenly conscious. This has also made me enlighten to certain Fa principles at my level.
The process of reciting the Fa is also a process of getting rid of my attachments, such as the show off mentality, zealotry, fame, etc. This experience has enlightened me that reciting the Fa is not the sole purpose, but instead to truly obtain the Fa, assimilate to the Fa, immerse myself in the Fa, cultivate myself solidly, and firmly do the three things well. As long as there is a human attachment on the surface, I try to suppress it and reject it in order to purify myself. I have tried to study the Fa without any notions or attachment of pursuit.
As I progressed in reciting the Fa, I became calmer. I have noticed progressive improvement. In the past, while thinking of myself as I held the book, my mind always wandered and I couldn't concentrate, even to the point of falling asleep. But now, since I have become much calmer, I can truly learn the Fa and feel the wonderfulness of studying the Fa. I remember one time when we had group study and everyone was holding his or her book, I sat there, with my back erect, and for no reason, I was suddenly in tears. I felt a sense of sacredness and joy. I was very calm during the entire Fa-study, regardless of whether fellow practitioners were reading the Fa or I was reciting it. When I recalled every sentence of the Fa in my mind, I felt myself completely immersed in the Fa.
I think that many Dafa practitioners are able to recite Zhuan Falun, including those who, though they haven't recited it from memory, could read it very well. Thus, if those practitioners do later decide to recite the Fa, it will be an easy task. If you are to recite the Fa, whether during Fa-study or validating the Fa, it will have a great effect. Of course, the most important thing is to understand the Fa based on the Fa, as well as hold ourselves to the standards of Dafa.