(Clearwisdom.net) After the publication of Teacher's new article “Watch Out for Breeding Demons in One's Own Mind”, I thought that I didn't need to be concerned about it because I had always been clear minded in my cultivation. I looked down on those practitioners who took a deviated path from the Fa and thought that Teacher's Fa is very clear. How come those people still go against the Fa's principles? (This thought in fact was already a manifestation of not being humble). Later, when I compared my behavior with Teacher's requirements, I noticed my own shortcomings. Although I had not taken a deviated path, nor did I have the issue of breeding demons in my own mind, so I thought, I considered myself superior to and better than others, when I achieved something. Being arrogant, very proud, and wanting to show off showed that I was not humble. This behavior was dangerous, because I felt that all others should listen to me and I should tell them what to do. This was very similar to the case of breeding demons in one's own mind, which is mentioned in Zhuan Falun:
“I’m a Buddha. You don’t need to learn from others. I’m the Buddha, so I’ll tell you what to do.” He will begin to do these things.” (Lecture Six: Demonic Interference From One’s Own Mind)
After I read the article “Watch Out for Breeding Demons in One's Own Mind”, I came to realize that during the process of cultivation, practitioners should always be humble. No matter how diligent you are or how much you achieve, do not develop any complacency or arrogance. If you are always humble, you will not breed demons in your own mind. Therefore, being modest and humble is so important for practitioners.
Before I started to practice of Falun Gong, I knew the importance of being humble. I had told my daughter, “Even if you are an excellent student, you should still be humble and modest. Never look down on other people. Don't be arrogant just because you achieved something. Take an example from the ears of corn. Those mature and ripe ears of corn are heavy. They always keep their head down. On the contrary though, those immature ears of corn always keep their head up because they are empty inside.”
As practitioners, we should know better. Only when we are humble, will we be able to examine ourselves and look within when conflicts appear. If you are cocky and always think you are right and others are wrong, you will blame others and forget to examine yourself. Thus, you cannot improve in cultivation. I have been having this problem. My behavior was like someone who is not cultivating, but was trying to improve others. I always pointed out others' shortcomings without realizing that I needed to examine myself and look inward. Therefore, I was not able to improve.
An arrogant and self-centered person tends to look outward and neglects cultivating himself. When other practitioners then point out his problem, he will not accept it and try every means to cover up his shortcomings.
An arrogant and self-centered person doesn't know the basic etiquette of courtesy either. They will behave in various ways that deviate from the principles of Teacher's Fa, which will manifest in how he treats others. Strictly speaking, these matters all belong to our cultivation and we should handle them well.
