Let Dafa Guide Us Out of the Quagmire

(Minghui.org) More and more people have realized that many Chinese software function as surveillance devices that monitor, follow, and even fetch data from one's electronic devices. Although most fellow practitioners are aware of the danger and the Minghui website has published an editorial advising practitioners against using such software, some practitioners still have this type of Chinese software on their computers or cellphones.

Tough Situation

Many fellow practitioners in mainland China feel as if they are in a prison without walls. It is difficult to spread information about the persecution of Falun Dafa given the strict surveillance everywhere. On the other hand, some of the spy software has taken over every aspect of our lives, and it’s hard not to use them.

For example, we know that WeChat is not good, but when school teachers require students to use it to finish their assignments and send notifications to parents, or when our workplaces use it to assign tasks, how should we handle the situation? Some fellow practitioners even feel that if they resist all the problematic software or follow other security rules for practitioners strictly, they wouldn’t be able to survive in China.

Living in mainland China, I feel the same way as many fellow practitioners: should we install those problematic software? Some fellow practitioners feel that they do not want to make themselves stand out by not using the software. Some have concerns of letting others know that they are Falun Dafa practitioners. They often feel they have no choice but to install those harmful software.

In my opinion, what choices we make and the outcome of our choices depend on whether we can let go of our attachments to reputation, personal gain, sentimentality, and even life and death.

A Path Is There, Though Very Narrow

From Master’s lectures, I understand that our cultivation path is truly narrow. Living in society, we face constant tests of whether we do things according to Dafa or follow suit with other people. But when we firmly believe in Dafa and Master, let go of the attachment to fear, and abide by the standard and requirement of a true Dafa disciple, there will be a way for us to move forward.

My personal experience is that when I make my cultivation the top priority, I would easily know what to do. Instead of strongly refusing to install the required spy software, I would turn it into an opportunity to make people aware of what the software is capable of and explain to people how the communist regime is using the software to persecute Falun Dafa practitioners.

But if my understanding is lacking on any issue, I would be overwhelmed with demands from family, friends or my manager at work.

When I was hired by an educational institution, the supervisor wanted me to tell false information to the students. I did not. I only did what was right. When the students were hard to manage, the supervisor told me to rule with an iron fist. I instead chose to reason with the students, and I gained respect from them as well as their parents. My supervisor also changed his attitude and no longer micromanaged me like the others.

I always regretted signing the release papers when I was released from detention the first time, which meant that I acknowledged the persecution. When I was detained the second time around, I refused to sign any papers. A guard was upset, and he came to me again and asked me to sign the refund form (I still had more than 1,000 yuan in my commissary account). I pointed to the word “criminal” in the signature column and said, “I can't sign this. I didn’t commit any crimes.” He said furiously, “Then you won't get your money back!” I smiled and did not reply. In the end, he let me go with my money without forcing me to sign anything.

Master told us:

“However, even though those evil factors aren't as many, the remaining ones are still pretty wicked. I always told you in the past: the closer it is to the surface the less power it has, but the closer it is to the surface the more evil it is.” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2003 Atlanta Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. IV)

I realized that the current environment in mainland China is for us to cultivate ourselves. Because the old forces and the evil are no longer as capable and their power is no longer as great, the surface factors would appear to be even more evil. But I personally think that as long as we improve our xinxing (character or mind-nature), follow the requirements of Dafa, and truly, solidly cultivate, it won’t be difficult to walk well the final leg of our cultivation path.

Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s current understanding meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare with one another in study, in cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)