Discovering the Pursuit of Comfort Behind Various Attachments

(Minghui.org) Master said,

“If you are still unclear about what a Fa-rectification disciple is, you won’t be able to step forward in the current tribulation, and you will be led by the human world’s pursuit of comfort to 'enlighten' along an evil path. Master’s heart has always been pained by those who have fallen, and the majority were ruined by that pursuit.” (“Fa-Rectification Period Dafa Disciples” from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

It never entered my mind that this passage pertained to me, as I am older and have considered myself a diligent practitioner. Yet, without realizing it, my attachment to comfort grew.

Recognizing the Signs of the Attachment of Comfort

When I noticed practitioners who lagged behind in Fa-rectification tasks because of the attachment to comfort, I suddenly awakened to my own problem. The attachment to comfort had taken hold of me and had taken over my thoughts and actions.

For example, before I clarified the truth about Dafa by phone, I had to eat well, otherwise I could not concentrate. If my phone call was successful, I either needed to take a break or had to eat. Whenever I felt sleepy, I would take a nap. When it was time to do the morning exercises, I could not get up, and turned the alarm off.

I did not do all five exercises in succession, but did the second set in the evening. When I was reading Zhuan Falun, I could not concentrate, as my thoughts were wandering around different subjects.

For a long time, I didn't realize that these things indicated a lack of conviction regarding true cultivation.

Master said,

“Fa-rectification is utterly solemn. When you first took up cultivation Master at that time did for you everything that should have been done. Now it's up to you to battle through tests with righteous thoughts. Master can help you when your righteous thoughts are sufficient.” (Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles)

Once I realized where I was falling behind in my cultivation, I made a plan. I would send forth righteous thoughts on time or even more than four times a day and would persist in doing the exercises even if I did not feel well.

Finding Pursuit of Comfort at the Root of Other Attachments

When I started suffering frequently from canker sores, I saw my attachment but I just could not let it go.

I had an attachment to food, especially fruit, and would eat it even though I knew that I would end up with canker sores. Only when I ended up again with canker sores as well as sore gums and a swollen face after eating plums, did I finally decide to get serious about letting go of my attachment to fruit.

After looking inward, I realized that it was not just an attachment to fruit, but an attachment to comfort and avoiding suffering. Seeing the root, I've been able to begin letting go of this attachment.

Master said,

“And human notions change,
The degenerate things purged” (“Born Anew” from Hong Yin)

After reading Master's Fa, I understood that when all human notions are eliminated, degenerate things cannot affect us and will not exist in our environment.