(Clearwisdom.net) One day, I phoned a coal company and asked them to deliver a truckload of coal to our house so that my husband and I would be prepared for the winter. When I told the owner that I was willing to pay a premium price for high-quality coal, he lowered his voice and said, "The coal that I'll be delivering to you was stolen, so even though it's high-quality coal, I can still sell it to you at a very reasonable price."
I didn't pay any attention to what he said at the time. The next day, when the delivery truck arrived at our house, my husband suddenly got angry and yelled at me in front of the driver.
I thought my husband would be happy that I ordered the coal for him, but instead he got very annoyed at me for no reason. I did not quarrel with him, but instead instantly reminded myself that I should have held myself to the standards of the Fa.
I told the driver that I would contact him at a later time to arrange for delivery. I then calmly searched within and enlightened to the fact that I didn't hold myself to the principles of the Fa, and instead agreed to purchase stolen property. Of course, doing so would have further corrupted human society. Soon after I looked inward, my husband calmed down and the atmosphere changed.
I recall another incident in which I visited my mother, who at that time, was looking after my brother's children. After talking to her, I realized that my brother had not even provided her with enough money to cover the children's day-to-day expenses.
I did not say anything at that time, but in my mind I resented my brother for spending whatever he wanted on himself but when it came to his own mother, he was incredibly stingy.
My mother did not have any retirement benefits and most of the money she needed to survive came from me and another brother of mine.
It was obvious that I still hadn't let go of my attachment to complaining. When I later encouraged my brother to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations, he refused to do so and even made some sarcastic remarks. I was confused by his response since he used to be very supportive of my truth clarification efforts.
I realized that his negative response towards me was a result of my attachment to complaining. After I searched within, I enlightened to the fact that, as a practitioner, I shouldn't weigh the issues of gain and loss with human notions.
Afterward, when I again encouraged him to quit the CCP, his attitude changed completely. He was in tears and very receptive to what I had to say.
Master said
"...in society, some people may say that you are bad, yet you may not necessarily be bad. Some people may say that you are good, but you may not really be good." (Zhuan Falun 2000 version)
From the two above incidents, I realized that cultivation is a very serious matter. When we look inward for our attachments, the circumstances around are sure to change.
Category: Improving Oneself
