(Minghui.org)
Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
It is a rare opportunity given by Dafa and a glory given by Master for me to participate and work with many fellow practitioners in the media, and to have the chance to cultivate and improve my xinxing, and at the same time spread the truth, save people, and fulfill my mission. The more I cultivate, the more I recognize the need to cherish the opportunity to cultivate in the media and to continue to improve myself.
I had previously maintained a friendly relationship with a fellow practitioner, who was also my partner at work, and we would often interact together. However, for a period of time, the practitioner ignored me, moved her seat away, and disregarded my greetings; when I talked to her about work, she kept her eyes on her screen as if I didn’t exist.
I felt wronged and tried talking to her. She would say there was nothing wrong or everything was fine. She refused to say any more but continued to wear a long face every day. After a while, she started coming in late, took days off, and even disappeared for days without taking leaves.
I felt very uncomfortable; it was as if an iceberg stood between us. I was disheartened as I had never encountered such a thing in my life. I even felt that if she had slapped me in the face or shouted at me, it would have been better than being under this block of ice. The silent treatment takes the greatest toll.
There were several times when I made up my mind to talk it out with her, but just as I was prepared to do so, she would either take the day off, or I would be interrupted by other things and miss the chance. The iceberg grew bigger.
As I looked back, I realized I was the one who had alienated her first. It started when I learned that she was protecting herself by lying to me. I have a stubborn notion that people should never lie, especially cultivators: how can they ever lie? I could forgive if an ordinary person lied, but not when it was a practitioner.
Since then, I had held a prejudice against her and thought only of my own feelings; I did not try to understand from her perspective, nor did I attempt to help her. Other than for work, I no longer talked to her. As she was a sensitive person, she could felt my alienation.
Another notion that I clung to was my understanding of “truthfulness.” I believed that truthfulness meant that I should always say what was on my mind and say it just as it was. On the surface, that seemed to be right. But it is not the “truthfulness” of cultivators.
Master said,
“In the Daoist tradition of China, practice focuses on the zhen of zhen, shan, ren. And so it teaches followers to develop their true nature, speak and act truthfully, become a person of truth, return to a true state of purity, and ultimately become a truly awakened being. Ren and shan do appear in their practice, but the focus is upon zhen.” (The First Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I was sticking to the standards and notions of ordinary people. Thus, the iceberg formed when I saw the practitioner trying to protect herself. It seemed difficult for me to dissolve this.
On the way to work one morning, I gazed up at the stars and thought, “There are countless stars, but none are identical, and the same goes for the leaves on the ground. The diversity in living beings is what makes the universe prosperous. It is ridiculous for me to demand others to be like myself.”
I learned that to get along with different people, I must be more tolerant and considerate of others and truly follow “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.”
Earlier on, I had tried to share this with other practitioners, hoping to prove my grievances and others' wrongdoings, but practitioners said, “Maybe it was because you owed her, or it could be for you to improve yourself.”
These words helped me let go of the idea of changing others and just consider this as paying for my karma; I might have treated others even more badly in a past life. At the same time, another one of my notions changed—the notion of not wanting to have conflicts with others.
As a cultivator, it is impossible not to encounter any conflicts; I should instead consider having conflicts as a good thing. When others treat me badly, they are helping me to eliminate karma and giving me the chance to elevate myself. I should be grateful to her and seize the opportunity to cultivate myself.
To me, my “compassion” is far from enough. That is why I was not understanding of others and did not have the power to resolve conflicts.
Master said,
“If what you say truly comes from your kindness and is without any personal agenda, your words will really touch others.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Singapore”)
“Shan* is really powerful.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Singapore”)
After I changed my notions from within, I also changed on the surface and treated everything peacefully. But I know deep down that I have not truly let go of the attachment and would still feel uneasy at times.
I realized that this is also a form of interference. I should not only think about my own cultivation but should look at this from a bigger picture, think of the whole body, and not hold up people’s salvation. I sent forth righteous thoughts more to eliminate interference and, at the same time, studied more Fa. I gradually let go of the attachment.
I invited the practitioner for tea after she returned from vacation. We talked for more than two hours, and I listened to what she had to say. I sincerely asked her for forgiveness if I had hurt her and also asked her to point out my shortcomings so I could correct them; I wanted to see her happy every day.
For the first time in many months, we were talking and laughing. At that moment, that iceberg in my heart melted away, and my mind and body became extremely relaxed and pleasant; the world became warm and peaceful.
I am grateful to the practitioner for helping me recognize these human notions and remove them through cultivation; I am grateful for having learned to maintain a humble attitude as I eliminate karma and improve my xinxing.
A translator-editor resigned from my team in August. We found a newcomer in mid-September and had to train her from scratch. The team struggled for more than a month to cover for the transition and another month for additional training of the newcomer.
During this period, two ad hoc members had to cover the dance competition, and the newcomer went to the Fa Conference. There was no substitute for a whole week. Additionally, there was a change in our video editor and director, and I had to ensure the quality of the broadcast while reviewing clips with the video editors. These two months felt like two years to me.
I felt that I was reaching my limits. When fellow practitioners asked how I was doing, I could only smile bitterly and reply with one word, “tired.” Moreover, I had to tend to things at home and coordinate a team of international translator-editors. There were too many things to worry about. When the supervisor organized an American cultural activity and asked if I would join in, I said that I had no time.
My husband said, “I feel sick thinking about each coming Saturday.” Saturday is my busiest day, as I have to do a show during the day. When there is a lack of manpower, I have to do the translation and editing myself. When I reached home at night, I immediately go online to have meetings with practitioners outside of the office, and I often worked until midnight. On Sunday, I have to deal with a week's worth of household chores.
It was really difficult and tiring. I discovered that closing my eyes, having a good night’s sleep, and waking up when I felt like it, had become a dream, the biggest reward, and a luxury for me.
One Saturday, I was so tired that I couldn’t say a word. I pulled through my daytime show and took leave from the regular meeting at night. I lay in bed and felt like my head was about to explode; the feeling was unspeakable. I felt I had reached the limit.
I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep; I was drained, but the more I thought about it, the worse it got. I thought about listening to Master's teachings.
Master said,
“There is nothing innately inferior about a novice monk who tends the hearth or cooks the meals at a monastery, and his hardships make it all the more likely he will achieve spiritual enlightenment. Senior monks, on the other hand, will find it all the harder to achieve since they enjoy comfort and ease, and do fewer things that would rework their karma. A novice monk leads a hard and tiring life, which allows him to pay off karma and enlighten more swiftly.” (The Seventh Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I changed my thinking by treating myself as a cultivator and stopped feeling that “tiredness.” Actually, these are just human feelings. If I stop thinking about it, it will not affect me.
Master said,
“The process of cultivation involves working off karma and enduring hardships. If you don’t endure hardships the karma can’t be worked off. So bodily suffering isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The problems you come across in life aren’t necessarily bad things, either. You have endured them but you aren’t aware of it.” (“Suggestions Given at the Beijing Falun Dafa Assistants Meeting,” Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa)
Eliminating karma and enduring hardships are good things as they are for me to improve; this should be a cultivator's understanding.
With these thoughts racing in my head, I slept only about two or three hours. The idea of applying for leave also popped up a few times: How should I ask for leave? Should I take leave in a row or intermittently? How about working from home?
Eventually, I felt that I should not have the thought of wanting to rest and relax. Isn't this just “bitterness” and “tiredness”? The practitioners in mainland China still persist in their cultivation and do what Dafa disciples should do under those hardships; in comparison, I am in a relatively relaxed environment overseas, and there are so many practitioners here to help one another. What do I have to complain about? I feel ashamed to even think about this.
The first verse in Hong Yin is “Tempering Your Will.” Even everyday people had said that “When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it first exhausts his body with toil and tries his mind with suffering.” Cultivation is serious, and one must consciously endure the hardships. This is a choice that I had made.
Master said,
“What I am ultimately trying to convey to you is that it was all for this affair that you came here! So you have no choice [but to do all of this well]; there is really no other way! That’s the case for Dafa disciples. For ordinary people it’s fine to reincarnate however they may. But that’s not an option for you, as you are here for Dafa and its great undertaking. So if you don’t do well you will be left with regrets. And I especially want to remind our veteran Dafa disciples not to slack off.” (“2018 Fa Teaching Given in Washington, D.C.,” Team Yellow Translation)
Master said,
“You put in the effort and your teacher will handle the rest,” (The First Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I went to work the next day as usual and no longer felt so tired after two days.
Some practitioners asked why I did not look for more people to join the team. In actuality, there were not many candidates to choose from. Moreover, if staff members frequently come and go, the audience will sense the unevenness in quality, and it would affect the media's reputation. In addition, having more people on the team is not conducive to coordination, but more importantly, if the amount of work for two people were distributed to more people, there would be no mighty virtue left. After all, we are not an ordinary people’s media company.
We can do well if we maintain righteous thoughts and cooperate with each other during stressful and difficult times. Furthermore, Dafa resources are limited and should be used properly. In the war between good and evil in another dimension, the media is the vanguard and the elite force; elite soldiers are needed to win the wars. The stability of our staff and the improvement of their skills are crucial for the media to grow and effectively play its role in saving people.
In fact, Master is always watching over us, and miracles often appear.
Once, a clip was uploaded to the system with less than two minutes before the broadcast. We were not confident if we could get it in time. I silently asked Master for help and focused on sending forth righteous thoughts. That two minutes felt like a long time. I closed my eyes and did not dare to look at the screen until I felt the calmness around me and knew that the broadcast had gone smoothly.
The most spine-tingling experience was when we received the clip just six seconds before the broadcast.
Every day is a battle, and sometimes it can be several battles when we work on TV news. In order to win the battle, we must always keep a clear mind and strong righteous thoughts, and make sure we are in a good state of cultivation.
When I watched the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra concert, I would usually observe the conductor, whose role is very inspiring for me. He needed to fully understand the repertoire and various musical instruments at play, and also the conditions of each and every member of the orchestra. During the performance, he had to make various minor adjustments and changes in response to the audience's reactions. Moreover, he must mobilize the emotions of every member of the orchestra to achieve maximum coordination while remaining relaxed to bring the audience the greatest pleasure.
Master said,
“Every Dafa disciple aspires to become a true cultivator, someone who is steadfast and solid in his cultivation as he travels the path to divinity.” (“2018 Fa Teaching Given in Washington, D.C.,” Team Yellow Translation)
I often wonder: what does it mean to be “steadfast and solid in cultivation?” My understanding at the current level is that perhaps it is like being a conductor of the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. Being capable of shouldering great responsibilities is a reflection of one’s solid cultivation of xinxing over a long period of time.
There were many times when there was no news to report. But time doesn’t stand still, and we can’t leave the screen blank as the audience would be watching. When I can think calmly, I can always find the right solution at the right time, and the things we need would spring forth as if they were prepared just for us.
There are other times when we would cover events that other media neglected. Once we covered it, it would soon snowball into consecutive breaking news. There is no need to chase after news. When we let go of our personal likes, dislikes, and human sentimentality, our hearts will become broader and be able to look further ahead.
Cultivation is not just about being bitter and tired; there are more miraculous and mystical things that ordinary people can never experience.
There is also the warmth between fellow practitioners. When I work early shifts and have nothing for breakfast, practitioners would often bring me a tea egg when they come into the office. This may sound like a small gesture, but I am touched each time.
Master said:
“You have gone through so many long and grueling years to make it to this day, and it really hasn’t been easy! Do you not know to value and cherish yourselves? I certainly cherish you! And divine beings do too! (Applause.) So all the more so should you value and cherish yourselves.” (“2018 Fa Teaching Given in Washington, D.C.” Team Yellow Translation)
It is a great honor for me to participate in media projects, to cultivate here, fulfill my prehistoric vows, and save sentient beings. I cherish all of this.
There is an Australian practitioner whom I always thanked for being selfless and helpful. But each time she would say, “You don’t need to thank me. I am the one who should thank Master, thank NTD, and thank all the opportunities given to me to help me improve in cultivation, save sentient beings, and fulfill my vows!"
Please allow me to use her words to express gratitude to Master and thanks to all fellow practitioners.
Above is my recent cultivation experience. If there is anything inappropriate, please kindly point it out.
Thank you, Master!Thank you, fellow practitioners!
(Presented at the 2018 NTD and Epoch Times Fa Conference)