The Importance of Discussing Our Cultivation Experiences With Other Practitioners

(Minghui.org) I used to suffer from anxiety and depression due to the pressure of work and raising a child. I couldn’t drive, be in crowded places, or hold down a job. As a single mother, my child depended on me. I just wanted to recover quickly and reintegrate into society. I knew my condition was difficult to cure—this only made me more anxious and restless and my symptoms worsened.

Although I went to the hospital for treatment, I knew medication only temporarily relieved the symptoms but couldn’t cure the root cause, so I refused to take any drugs. My attending physician searched online and recommended a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

When I went to see this doctor, he said, “People with symptoms like yours have recovered by learning this qigong. Would you like to try it?” He gave me a Falun Dafa leaflet. I had a strong desire to find a permanent cure and the traditional Chinese medicine doctor mentioned that Falun Dafa classes were free and open to anyone, so I decided to check it out. A few days later, I went to a practice site.

The first time I went everyone was reading the section on “The Transformation of Karma.” Although I didn’t fully grasp the content these principles I’d never heard before strongly resonated with me.

I was determined to cure my illness, so I began reading and practicing exercises. Though my initial motivation for studying the practice was impure, my health gradually improved, and within a few months I was able to return to work.

Approaching Cultivation with Righteous Thoughts

As I continued studying the Fa (teachings), I gradually understood: I mustn’t approach Fa study with the intention of gaining something. I must cultivate my xinxing. I also realized the importance of clarifying the truth and began telling my family, friends, colleagues, and my clients about Falun Dafa, while participating in activities such as collecting signatures to end the persecution. I still struggled to maintain my composure. I was driven by many attachments, and often doubted whether I was a genuine cultivator.

Every time I read other practitioners’ experience sharing articles on Minghui, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why can other practitioners do so well, yet I still can’t grasp the essence of cultivation? Why don’t I have a strong desire to fully assimilate to the Fa? Instead, I’m still filled with anxiety and frustration.

This state continued for two or three years. At the height of my suffering, someone told me about a weekly online gathering for Japanese practitioners. I’d had almost no interaction with fellow practitioners before, so I saw this as an opportunity to make a breakthrough and I decided to attend.

Combined with the project-related sharing sessions, the twice-weekly sharings were extremely taxing for me. Juggling work, childcare, and household chores left me with very little time. Since I’m not naturally good at expressing myself and dread being criticized, I sometimes even found myself crying during these sessions. I seriously considered quitting the sharing sessions many times.

But I persevered. By listening to other practitioners' cultivation experiences I gained insights into Fa principles and gradually understood things that previously eluded me. I found this process immensely beneficial. Moreover, every other practitioner approached these discussions with the righteous thoughts of “mutual improvement through sharing” which encouraged me tremendously.

Through sharing and discussing with other practitioners, I gained many insights. I realized that my fundamental problem was due to my weak sense of purpose in cultivation. I did not prioritize the most fundamental goal of cultivation—returning to one’s true nature.

This showed that I was still at the level of ordinary people—I appreciated the greatness of the Fa from an ordinary human perspective. This was also the root cause of my inability to truly believe in Master, the Fa, and myself. After realizing this, my mindset began to change, and I could feel myself improving.

I also came to understand that cultivation is about enduring hardship. Due to self-blame and misunderstanding, I turned my cultivation process into a painful ordeal. I felt discouraged whenever I saw my shortcomings, and I failed to handle problems from the perspective of the Fa principles.

Now I understand that it’s normal not to achieve everything at once. Instead of fixating on what I can’t do, I focus on how to improve. Even the smallest progress, even just a tiny step forward, is still progress. I’ve begun to view myself with a more positive mindset.

Through these discussions and sharings, I have come to deeply appreciate the importance of maintaining a good cultivation environment, engaging in mutual learning and practice, and sharing insights, as Master emphasized.

Strengthening Righteous Thoughts and Being Aware of My Cultivation Purpose

Recently, however, my state has been this: when things go smoothly, I relax; but when difficulties arise, I intensify my focus on doing the three things. This shows that I’m still pursuing the comforts of ordinary life and that I remain stuck in understanding the Fa at the level of ordinary people.

I’m attached to comfort, and let my attachment to my phone and my affection for my children run wild. These attachments have grown stronger, affecting my ability to do the three things well.

To cure illness and escape suffering I devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation. So why can’t I advance with courage and diligence to return to my true nature and fulfill my vow to Master?

While writing this sharing article, I recalled my cultivation state when I first began practicing and realized that strong, righteous thoughts are essential for me to improve.

Throughout my cultivation journey I repeatedly stumbled and fell, but Master never gave up on me. Time and again, he granted me opportunities, extended his helping hand, and offered encouragement. How profoundly compassionate Master is!

I want to help Master save sentient beings, cultivate myself well, remember that the purpose of my existence is to return to my original nature, remember that I am a Falun Dafa practitioner in the Fa-rectification period, and correct my slack cultivation state. I can no longer let Master worry about me.