(Minghui.org) Master said,
“From the day that a Dafa disciple takes up cultivation his whole life is rearranged. In other words, this life of yours is now the life of a cultivator. Nothing is by chance anymore, and nothing will happen just by chance. Everything on your life's journey is directly related to your improvement and cultivation.” (“Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles”)
When we run into tribulations in cultivation, we will not understand Master's Fa if we don't look inward, and our cultivation levels will not be upgraded. If we treat the tribulations using everyday people's notions, we will lose the opportunity to improve. Meanwhile, the pain we suffer in the tribulations will be in vain, because we missed the opportunity to improve ourselves.
If this happens, in my understanding, we lose to the old forces, because these tribulations may have been arranged by them to test us. We all know that we should not acknowledge their tests or arrangements. But if we just talk about “not acknowledging them,” but don't look inward, then it will be really difficult for us to deny their arrangements and tests.
When we run into tribulations, if we can see them from the perspective of the Fa, and treat ourselves as genuine cultivators, we will be able to look inward and see the loopholes in our xinxing and the attachments that cause the tribulations; we will be able to rectify ourselves. In this way, our righteous thoughts will be able to disintegrate all the interference from the old forces, and they will stop interfering with us.
I obtained the Fa in November, 1998. Over the last 19 years, I've faced many tribulations. Sometimes I felt unable to solve them, but that was because I was trapped in the old forces' arrangements. When I found my attachments, the evil was immediately disintegrated. I truly felt, “After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead!” (Zhuan Falun)
I have had so many of these kinds of experiences. The reason that I can walk the path of cultivation up to today is that I solidly believe in Master and the Fa, and treat myself as a genuine cultivator. I truly feel that Master is protecting me at every moment. I can tell when Master is guiding me, even though my celestial eye is closed.
Master said,
“Once you take up Dafa, whatever it is you encounter--good or bad--it is a good thing.” (“Teaching the Fa in San Francisco, 2005”)
When I first heard this, I was confused. A good thing is of course a good thing. But how come a bad thing is also a good thing? I didn't understand the profound meaning of this teaching. I just simply trusted Master. But now I've come to a deeper understanding of it, and I've witnessed this teaching in action.
When I encountered “bad” things, I was bothered, worried, felt pain and cried. But I never gave up, because I am a Dafa disciple. When Master's teachings come into my mind, telling me that I am particle of Dafa, I understand what I should do and how I should do it. A Dafa disciple should always look inward.
I am a cultivator and I know what I want—to go home with Master. So as a cultivator, I should listen to Master and look inward. I should not let the chance to improve pass by, and I should not be defeated by the old forces.
After I passed the tests and tribulations, I gained confidence and cultivated more solidly. I often think that I should thank those who create troubles for me, which expose my filthy notions and attachments. I thank Master and the Fa for helping me see my deeply hidden attachments through these tribulations, and helping me to get rid of them.
On the path to becoming a divine being, I thank Master and Dafa every time I make a major breakthrough. My appreciation cannot be expressed in language. I clearly know how much filth in my dimension that Master has helped me to get rid of, and how much Master has done to purify my body.
I can sense the solemnity of cultivation, solidify my belief, and walk the path of a divine being returning home with Master.