(Minghui.org) I began to practice Falun Dafa in 1995. I experienced a lot of tribulations, but did not view some of them as being part of my cultivation. I would like to share some of my experiences with fellow practitioners.
Resolving Problems by Letting Go of Attachments
In 2010, my second molar on the bottom left side hurt. I did not think much about, but it hurt on and off over the next seven months. At times the pain was excruciating and I could not eat well or sleep. I didn't tell my husband, who is not a practitioner, or he would have forced me to take medication.
One time, during dinner. I couldn't take the pain and left the dinner table. I lay down and thought, “I am a practitioner and yet, I'm having a hard time. I need to look within based on the Fa.”
I thought I did the three things well. I never missed the group exercise, studied the Fa diligently and told people about Falun Gong. I sent righteous thoughts as required and got up at 3 a.m. to do the exercises. I thought I was progressing well and didn't find any attachments when I looked within.
I knew that tribulations happened for a reason. If it was not the old forces, then it was attachments. I sent righteous thoughts to negate the old forces' arrangement and looked within for any notions that didn't conform to the the Fa. I finally found a notion: "I didn't cultivate my speech!"
Teacher said:
“The cultivation of speech that we teach refers to: that which involves one’s reputation and personal gain that cannot be given up among everyday people, that which has nothing to do with the actual work of practitioners in society, the senseless gossiping among practitioners in the same school of practice, attachments that cause one to show off, hearsay or circulating rumors, or those discussions on some social issues that one is excited about. I hold that these are all attachments of everyday people. I think that in these areas we should watch what we say—that is the cultivation of speech we refer to.” (Zhuan Falun)
I could not believe that Teacher had said it so explicitly and I still did not enlighten to it for so long. Once I realized my attachment my tooth stopped hurting and I rejoined my family for dinner, thanks to Teacher's help.
Looking Younger than My Age
Because of the aforementioned experience, I truly felt that nothing was coincidental for a cultivator. Everything that happens is to help us remove attachments. It is just like Teacher said:
“To tell you the truth, the entire cultivation process for a practitioner is one of constantly giving up human attachments ... Why do you encounter these problems? They are all caused by your own karma. We have already eliminated for you many, numerous pieces of it, leaving only that tiny bit which is divided into tribulations at different levels for upgrading your xinxing, tempering your mind, and removing your different attachments. These are all your own tribulations that we use to improve your xinxing, and you will be able to overcome them. As long as you upgrade your xinxing, you can overcome them. Unless you, yourself do not want to do so, you can make it, provided you want to overcome them. Therefore, from now on when you come across a conflict you should not consider it a coincidence. This is because when a conflict occurs, it will take place unexpectedly. But that is not a coincidence—it is for improving your xinxing. As long as you treat yourself as a practitioner, you can handle it properly.”
Before I practiced Dafa, I was tenacious. I never gave up on completing a task. Once I decided that Falun Dafa was what I wanted in life, I did not slack off. I was a diligent practitioner and did everything Master asked of his practitioners.
However, although I have practiced for such a long time, my complexion looked worse than that of ordinary people. Therefore, when talking about the benefits of Falun Dafa, I felt that I wasn't persuasive. I made excuses and said that I was pale from lack of sufficient sleep.
Because of the toothache incident, I finally understood that my physical appearance did not improve because I was not a truly diligent practitioner. For example, a coworker's relative who works in the department of labor could somehow, because of connections, save more money for her retirement than normal. My supervisor who wanted to achieve the same result by going through the coworker's connection suggested that I be part of this scheme. This was an opportunity to improve my xinxing, but emotionally I couldn't let go. I also had to consider that my supervisor would lose face if I refused, so I agreed to go along.
There were many tests I did not pass. I couldn't let go of emotions and personal gains, so my physical appearance did not improve.
I believe that only when we pass every test can we improve our xinxing and the Fa principles governing ordinary people's society will have no control over our physical body.
After I retired, I gradually realized what true cultivation is. Before I only studied one chapter of Zhuan Falun daily and when I studied, my mind was often elsewhere. Now I read each word and phrase carefully. Everything I do, I let the Fa guide me. Now I am 60 years old, but I feel like a 30-year-old.
Before I practiced Falun Dafa, I was often ill and looked emaciated. My skin was loose and wrinkly. Now, I have gained weight. My skin is elastic and I have a nice complexion. My former coworkers were surprised when they saw me. They said, “Your complexion looks great! You look younger and prettier now!” After meeting with former classmates, my husband said, “You look much younger than they do.”
I know the changes I'm experiencing come from true cultivation. It is just like Teacher said, “Once you upgrade your xinxing, your body will undergo a great change. Upon xinxing improvement, the matter in your body is guaranteed to transform." (Zhuan Falun)
I want to encourage fellow practitioners with Teacher's article,
“Study Fa, obtain Fa,
Compare in studying,
compare in cultivating,
Examine each and every deed,
Accomplishing is cultivating."
("Hong Yin", "Solid Cultivation")
Category: Improving Oneself
