(Minghui.org) I am a younger practitioner, and I was born in the 1980s. My mother started to practice Falun Dafa in 1996. As a child, I witnessed how my mother benefited physically and mentally from the practice. In the past year, I began to study the Fa with a calm mind, and cultivated steadfastly.
Letting Go of Fame and Gain at Work
In the past, I put a lot of effort into obtaining fame and self-interest. I worked very hard at work. I wanted to be acknowledged by the management, and praised by my colleagues. So I became competitive, and assertive. I was fond of praise and wanted to make more money. While cultivating, I realized that these were attachments and that I needed to let them go.
I began to work for a new company in 2017. My work was to find foreign buyers for our products. I tried very hard to contact international buyers. After seven months, I had not signed any contracts. I was very anxious and thought: “The Chinese New Year is coming. The company has paid my salary for seven months, but I have made zero contributions to the company. What will the manager or colleagues think of me? Will they laugh at me?”
Master said,
“It is owing to them that when someone is born into this world he belongs to a certain family, attends a certain school, and once he grows up he works for a certain entity, and in this manner becomes linked with society in multifaceted ways. And from this we can glean that this world, on a larger scale, is in fact well mapped out.” (The Seventh Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I realized that it had been arranged which foreign buyers would make a deal with me. Thus, I should let go of the attachment and go with what Master Li (Falun Dafa's founder) has arranged. I was more relaxed and not too anxious anymore.
A foreign buyer took the initiative to contact me a few days later. He requested the price list of our products. After several contacts, he asked for some samples. Then his friend came to our company to inspect it. Right after he placed the order, he sent us the deposit for several container shipments. My manager was very pleased with me. I realized this was a test for me to let go of my attachments to fame and profit.
Thinking of Others
I used to work as a buyer. Previously, I tried to delay payment to another company for their products or the service fee as long as possible in the name of my company's interest. With cultivation, I realized this was selfish. I only considered my company's interest at the expense of the suppliers' interests. It was not easy for them to do business. I felt sorry for them. I know my character has improved with cultivation. I now know to consider others.
Master said,
“Since we do spiritual practice we should have compassion in our hearts. As your compassion develops you will come to see that life is painful for all living things.” (The Seventh Talk, Zhuan Falun)
Nowadays, backdoor deals are widespread in society. Due to my work, I sometimes received gifts from companies. After I began to solidly cultivate, I did not want these gifts anymore.
Master said,
“But then it dawned on the father, “I’m a practitioner. I really shouldn’t have tried to get this. I’ll probably lose quite a bit of virtue if I take it, since it’s not something I’ve earned.” (The Fourth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
Last year a customer called me and wanted to give me a gift; I refused. One time, a company asked my relatives to bring me a present. I had to accept it, but I felt terrible. Later, I bought a gift of clothes for his child. He was very touched.
Getting Rid of the Habit of Gaining Petty Advantages
I used to like deals. News about a special promotion or a membership discount on WeChat would attract me. I was pleased if I took advantage of a good deal. When I look back, I often spent more money on such deals than I otherwise would have. There is a saying: penny wise, but pound foolish.
The Minghui website pointed out the dangers of WeChat and suggested that practitioners uninstall WeChat. I hesitated for several days and finally decided to uninstall WeChat. Now my mind is more calm and clean, and not so tempted.
Thinking back about my previous mentality. It was just as Master said, “… being joyful or anxious over petty gains.” (“Enlightenment” from Essentials For Further Advancement)
“… that material riches can’t be taken with you past this lifetime, and ultimately, are empty.” (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
I now understand the meaning of this sentence.
Awakening
Dafa is wonderful. I regret that I wasted so much time, and was lost among ordinary people. Fortunately, compassionate Master did not give up on me. For so many years, I could feel that Master was always by my side. Whenever I faced danger, Master helped me to be safe. I am sincerely grateful for his compassionate salvation and protection. I will be more diligent in cultivation and become a true cultivator.
