The Joy of Dafa Cultivation

(Clearwisdom.net) I started practicing Falun Gong in 1996. Through my cultivation experiences these past years, I have understood our responsibilities as Dafa practitioners as well as the need to harmonize with the Fa in our daily lives. That is the mighty virtue of a Dafa practitioner.

Before practicing Falun Gong, I suffered greatly from spiritual depression. Although I worked diligently every day, things always ran counter to my wishes. At that time, my interpersonal relationships were tense, and I became irritable, sleepless, and depressed. I complained about how unfair things were for me. Whenever I got into trouble, I became inconsolable. I frequently self-reflected to identify my problems. What should I do to escape these troubles? In order to find a solution, I read many books, including Buddhist scriptures and the Tao Te Ching, but my problem was not completely solved.

Fortunately, I found Dafa. The first time I read "Zhuan Falun", it didn't impress me very deeply. However, following the advice of a practitioner relative, I read it again. Gradually, I became calmer by reading the book. I learned a lot from the Fa. I realized that the cause of my distress was not due to others, but because I had strayed from the criterion for being a good person. Also, inappropriate behavior increased my tribulations.

After practicing Falun Gong, I experienced a more peaceful world. However, my post-natal notions were very strong and kept me from moving forward in my cultivation practice. I read the Fa only when I was depressed; I practiced the exercises only when I didn't feel well. Even so, my insomnia and neurasthenia disappeared. I used the Fa as my guide when I encountered conflicts and tensions. At the same time, I bore many humiliations which I had been unable to accept before practicing Falun Gong.

After the persecution of Dafa began, I almost stopped studying the Fa and practicing the exercises. While the moral values of society were worsening daily, my health returned to what it was. I woke up at that moment and realized that I could not be separate from Dafa, because Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance was already rooted in my heart. I was unable and unwilling to return to the ways of ordinary human society.

Before practicing Falun Gong, I thought that I was a good person. Through studying the Fa, I learned that I had strayed from the criterion for being a good person. During these years of cultivation, I improved quickly as long as I studied the Fa, did the exercises, and tried to meet Teacher's requirements for practitioners. Whenever I relaxed, I was controlled by my attachments, and it took a long time to eliminate them. However, as practitioners, we should emerge unstained from the filthy world and harmonize with the Fa, and not create any negative effect on the Fa.

I used to hurt people with unkind words. In order to monitor my speech, I spoke less. But when I came across conflicts with others, my language was most inappropriate. I understood that not only keeping my lips sealed but also cultivating my mind was what was required. Then I identified my attachments of showing off and competitiveness. Meanwhile, my heart was clouded with thoughts of fame, profit, and sentimentality. Later, I tried my best to keep a peaceful mind, be careful about my words, and eliminate these attachments.

In addition, I had been sullen for many years. After practicing Falun Gong, my mind became peaceful, but I appeared rigid. Looking inward, I found deeply hidden attachments of jealousy and holding grudges. At the same time, I always avoided conflicts, so in the process of eliminating those attachments, I tried to face the conflicts by using a practitioners' mindset. I gradually became more optimistic and open minded. My friends, colleagues, and relatives that observed the changes praised me. Therefore, the environment around me became more harmonious.

Thinking about how I have changed over these years, I feel very grateful for Teacher and Dafa's salvation. I will firmly follow Teacher to cultivate diligently and upgrade my level at all times and let everyday people actually see and feel that it is a real joy to cultivate in Dafa. Also, we should do well the things that practitioners are supposed to do, and let everyday people witness the mighty virtue of Dafa practitioners.