(Minghui.org) After I witnessed the devastation during the earthquake on September 21, 1999 in Taiwan, I saw how fleeting life is. I then made a commitment to begin practicing Falun Dafa. There was a morning exercise site in the nearby park, so I joined it.
Getting up early to do the exercises with other practitioners is even better than being at home in air conditioning. The air is fresh and filled with the scent of flowers. A gentle breeze blows, and it’s truly blissful.
We meditate for an hour and, one day, I asked the other practitioners, “Should we meditate for an hour and a half?” There was no response. I thought, “Well, let it be then.” Because I had this wish, perhaps there was a mechanism that helped me. After I meditated for an hour the next day, I tried to get up as the music ended but couldn’t. It seemed as if I was held down by an immense force. So I began meditating for an additional 30 minutes every day.
When mosquitoes came, I felt those disturbances were a good thing, as I was repaying karma. While I meditated, a mouse once dashed around my feet! I thought, Master Li said we are the “future Fa-Kings” (“Congratulatory Message,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress III) How can I be afraid of this mouse? I remained unaffected and continued meditating.
When one’s cultivation state is good, even non-practitioners notice it. When I took my motorcycle to a repair shop, the owner said: “Your complexion is getting smoother. You look much younger.” In fact, I was tanned from practicing the exercises in the sun every day. I felt her words were encouragement from Master.
Other Practitioners Help Me Improve
I later moved to Taipei, and the group Fa study site was very close to my home. By studying the Fa and interacting with other practitioners, I realized we can encourage each other. One practitioner was going through a very difficult tribulation. He suffered greatly and was about to give up. The other practitioners encouraged him, and he eventually overcame it. Another practitioner’s husband tried to stop her from attending Fa study and even threatened to jump off a building if she went. After discussing it with everyone, she was able to look inward and resolve this issue. It’s truly important for us to study the Fa with others. As long as we raise questions and exchange experiences based on the Fa, our problems can be resolved.
The exchange of experiences during Fa study is indeed precious. One practitioner seemed smart, but I couldn’t get along with him. After I looked inward, I saw the issue was mine: I was jealous. I knew I shouldn’t criticize him, so I sent righteous thoughts for him and hoped he would treat everyone better. This improper thought led to undesirable consequences.
While I was at work, a large black substance rushed out of my brain. I usually can’t see anything through my celestial eye but, at that moment, I saw this black substance in another dimension. Master’s poem, “The Heart Itself Is Clear” (Hong Yin II)then appeared, along with the image of a celestial maiden from the book! I felt ashamed and was truly grateful for Master’s guidance!
I looked inward and realized that cultivation was about cultivating one’s thoughts and transforming them. Cultivators’ minds should be pure and clean so that their actions are righteous. Master is always watching over us, but I had negative thoughts about other practitioners. I felt that I had cultivated in vain.
I understand that, in the entire universe, we are just a speck of dust, so we should be humble. We should not hold negative views about others but should maintain righteous thoughts instead. Our hearts should be broad and inclusive, and we should have an open mind and embrace everyone.
Encouraging Others
After I became a coordinator, I decided to do my best in this role and encourage other practitioners to join group exercises and Fa study. I sometimes phoned them. They would say things like, “Okay, I know. No need to say more.” I understood they might think I was nagging, but my intention was to help them, so I persistently invited them to participate in group activities.
One practitioner always did the exercises with the group in the morning but did not come to Fa study. We kept inviting him, but he said he preferred studying the Fa at home. After more than a decade, he finally came to our study group. I felt joyful. Taking that step to come out and interact with other practitioners is truly remarkable!
Eliminating My Attachments and Expanding My Tolerance
Conflicts among practitioners are inevitable. While coordinating a group activity, we had difficulty finding each other at the agreed upon time and place. We eventually managed to meet, but one practitioner pointed at me and said, “You didn’t do well.” I could only apologize; I really had no excuse.
Coordinators need to plan ahead when we organize activities in order to achieve the best results. When other practitioners encounter difficulties, it’s important not to develop negative opinions of them. For example, when some practitioners kept updating clothing measurements or someone arrived late for activities, I silently complained. I reminded myself to let it go, as it’s also part of the cultivation process.
I understand that other practitioners do not do these things intentionally; they genuinely need the right measurements or might have reasons for being late. Over the years, I’ve learned to let these things go; they truly didn’t matter much, and I was no longer bothered by them. Now, when group activities require coordination, I’m more than happy to help. It’s such a great opportunity to improve my xinxing, so why not embrace it?
I also help with the character formation every year. Setting up for the event involves laying out lines, arranging mattresses, and ensuring safety measures, among other tasks. Some practitioners need to take time off from their regular jobs to help out, and everyone does their best to cooperate.
We spend hours arranging mattresses, constantly sitting down and standing up again. Some practitioners’ legs are tired afterwards, and they struggle to climb the stairs. Despite the hardship, everyone feels a sense of honor and magnificence. This opportunity is precious, and the entire process of cultivation is rare. We truly find joy in it.
On the day of the event, with over five thousand practitioners present, we seamlessly blend into the pattern without any prior rehearsal. I believe this reflects the ability of cultivators to let go of self, cooperate with each other, and demonstrate the collective harmony and power of Dafa.
We also strive to do well in society. I work as an accountant in a trade company. At one point, my boss’ attitude changed; even the dog at the exercise site barked at me incessantly.
I looked inward and found that my cultivation state wasn’t good. I harbored some negative thoughts towards other practitioners, neglected minor tasks, and my main consciousness wasn’t strong. Once I improved myself, everything went smoothly.
Before I began practicing, I had a strong desire for personal gain. Whenever there was overtime work, my boss and coworkers approached me, and I happily accepted—I was eager to make more money. However, after I began practicing cultivation, my attachment to money diminished.
Master said,
“ ... as a cultivator should follow the course of nature. If something is yours, you will not lose it. If something is not yours, you will not have it even if you fight for it.” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun)
So I tried my best to let go of this attachment to personal gain.
I understand the importance of cherishing the path I’ve walked, cherishing the process, and my cultivation opportunities. Missing out on a chance to cultivate means it may not come again. Let’s seize the time, genuinely cultivate, and walk our paths well until we return home with Master!