(Minghui.org) I am a young person who began practicing Dafa less than three years ago. I have not done well at times, given that I could not eliminate some of my attachments.
Master Li said,
“There society seems prosperous with all kinds of things, but they are all meant to tempt people’s hearts and corrupt humankind—people simply can’t resist the temptation. Think about it, everyone: How hard it would be to get out of it! So sometimes I was thinking: In spite of everything, our Dafa disciples have really been messed up by these things in this depraved society of China. But regardless, they don’t leave Dafa and they all want to do things for Dafa, and on that point I am very pleased and I think it’s remarkable.” (“Teaching the Fa in Washington D.C. in 2018”)
I was in tears when I read this paragraph. Master knew how all of this would happen with the degradation of people’s morals today, especially in China, and how practitioners would be interfered with. Master treats practitioners like a parent – encouraging and helping us instead of blaming us. I was ashamed when I thought about the state of my cultivation.
I was lucky to have obtained the Fa. My mother started to practice before the persecution of Dafa began in 1999. This meant I was brought up in a good home environment, but I did not start to practice until a couple of years after graduating from college.
I am introverted. When I was young, I spent a lot of money on toys and didn't want to study. I always lied and pretended that I was studying when I got home. One year, my teacher told my parents that my grades were so poor that I should repeat the grade. However, I didn’t agree and stayed in the same class until I was in my second year of middle school. I eventually had to repeat a grade.
I didn’t do too bad on the college entrance exams and was admitted to a college. My parents were not there to keep an eye on me, and I lacked self-discipline. I learned how to surf the Internet and played video games or watched movies all night and slept during the day. I started skipping classes, copied other people’s homework, and binged on food and drinks on the weekend. My life was a mess. I knew it was bad for me, but I couldn’t control myself. My health started to deteriorate as a result.
I developed insomnia and neurasthenia. More surprisingly, I started to lose my hair. I was very upset and spent a lot of money on medication that only made it worse. I eventually didn’t want anyone to see me and just stayed in my room.
My mother told me to stop using the medication and asked me to practice Dafa. She used to frequently catch colds and had insomnia before she began practicing. My brother, also a practitioner, asked me to give Dafa a try.
I agreed, and my mother taught me the five exercises. She also told me to read Zhuan Falun and several of Master Li’s recent lectures. My mother did the exercises with me every day and shared her experiences and understandings. I also studied the Fa teachings a lot. Eventually, I didn’t think about my hair loss anymore, my mind became clear, and my quality of sleep improved. Before, it was very hard to fall asleep, I had lots of dreams, and I was easily woken up by noise or light. Once I woke up, I couldn’t fall back to sleep. My hair gradually grew back and I threw out all of my medications.
I had a dream while half-awake one day. I went to an open field and dark clouds suddenly gathered. The dark sky tried to swallow me up. I knew it was the evil, but I wasn’t afraid and asked Master for help. The sky soon became clear and bright. I woke up and knew that Master had protected me. The dream felt very real.
Although I am not able to cultivate diligently sometimes, I am able to face my shortcomings and eliminate my attachments
Master said,
“It doesn't matter that you fell down, it doesn't matter! Quickly get up” (Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference)
“So you've got to seize the day. During this last period of time before it ends you really don't want to let yourselves down, and you should do the last things well.” (“Teaching and Explaining the Fa at the Metropolitan New York Fa conference, Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. III)
“I am extending the time for you, to give you a chance to quickly do those things!” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2016 New York Fa Conference”)
Master has given us the opportunity to cultivate, so I hope we can seize the final moment to do better. Especially those who haven't done well: Seize the day and do well.
I wrote this experience to encourage myself and to share with practitioners who are not diligent. Let's cherish this opportunity.
