(Minghui.org) I often had a bad attitude and complained when I did not agree with someone else's actions, be they practitioners or non-practitioners.
Master said, “People have to think in leading their lives.” (Zhuan Falun)
After studying the Fa and looking inward, I came to understand that when I had negative thoughts, I was narrow-minded and looked at everything from my perspective.
Once I started to cultivate, I paid attention to my thoughts, could recognize any such thoughts the minute they showed up, and corrected such thinking. I could consider things from the other party’s perspective, became more considerate of others, easier going, and less blunt when talking to others.
Recognizing and Eliminating Negative Thoughts
I was involved in clarifying the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution by making phone calls to China on the RTC (Rapid Truth Clarification) platform. To do so, several practitioners gather in a (virtual) meeting room and call different phone numbers in China.
Quite often, when talking on the phone, a practitioner would come in the meeting room and immediately started asking questions.
Other practitioners when they came into the meeting room understood the importance of being quiet and looked around before they started asking questions. Why did she start talking as soon as she entered the room, ignoring the possibility that someone could be on the phone?
The same situation happened again and I started to type a message on the computer, telling her that her interruptions could be construed as interference. However, before I sent the message, I realized that this thought was negative and that I had looked outward again. I suddenly understood that I could mute my speaker and microphone if I didn’t want to be disturbed. I did not send the message
Becoming More Tolerant
I also noticed that when I was able to consider the situation from the other party’s perspective, even in a situation where the other party was wrong, I became more tolerant and understanding. My tone and words became more reasonable, and I stopped blaming and complaining about others. I had learned my lesson from an incident with my husband.
My husband did not repair a water leak at our bedroom window, which damaged our wallpaper, although I had asked him quite often.
When he was away on a business trip, I fixed the window, but cut my leg on a sharp edge of a broken stool. However, I felt great about repairing the leak.
On my husband's return home, I told him I repaired the leak. He did not say anything, but demanded to know several days later who did the repair work, and if I did it, to show him how I did it.
I showed him the tools and my injury. He again said nothing. But, during dinner he told me that he had read in a newspaper about a family being killed by their Chinese friends. He thought that I had asked people without legal status to repair the leak.
“It's okay, now I understand,” I said. “The reason I like to talk to people is to tell them about Falun Gong and the persecution. I would not invite people I don’t know into our home. So don’t worry.”
Lesson Learned
A few days ago I wrote an experience-sharing article and sent it to the group mail to share with other practitioners, and I received a reply.
“Who are you,” the practitioner wrote. “The article was well written, very moving, and very compassionate. With such a good article, were you still afraid of others knowing who wrote the article? If you have some mentality of fear, then discard it. I apologize if I hurt your feelings. It is strange that a good sharing article has no author.”
I wasn’t afraid, but I forgot to include my name. I had already shared this article with a different RTC platform with my real name.
I soon realized that I had negative thoughts again and that I had looked outward. I corrected myself and thanked her for her willingness to share her thoughts.
Resolving Issue Amiably
A practitioner in another area needed half-a-box of fliers. I contacted the practitioner who is responsible for handling such materials, and he agreed to bring them the following week. I thought that it should be all set. However, he forgot.
I was not upset and did not have negative thoughts. I looked inside and thought, “It appeared that I did nothing wrong. However, if I would have reminded him a few days earlier, he would not have forgotten. I could have done better.”
The practitioner who needed the fliers was very understanding, and we all had no negative thoughts. We worked together and resolved this issue.
Small things that test my xinxing happen almost every day. It is important to remember the Fa and correct ones actions immediately.
Category: Improving Oneself
