Seizing Every Opportunity to Rectify Oneself

(Minghui.org) I am a 75-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner who embarked on my cultivation path in June 1996. I left my house in the city to live in the countryside for more than 10 years, where I was quite busy helping with family issues. I frequently traveled between the two places. Such a life had no regular schedule. I was undisciplined in cultivation and more relaxed, which led me to become lazy. This is far from the standard of a true Dafa practitioner. I feel that I have fallen behind in cultivation.

Eighteen months ago, I moved back to the city. However, I was still lax in doing the exercises, especially the second exercise, as I was afraid of standing for too long. I also slacked off on doing the sitting meditation.

Because I didn’t practice diligently, my body gradually began to show symptoms of fatigue. I got tired very easily, my knees and hip joints became stiff, my legs felt weak when walking, and I had to stop and rest after only a short distance. I started to realize the severity of not being serious in my cultivation.

Through studying the Fa, I understood that laziness is a manifestation of a form of demonic nature, whereas being able to endure hardship reflects one’s Buddha nature, and is a sign of goodness.

The local Dafa coordinator pointed out that I hadn’t been coming to the exercise site for a long time, saying that I was a member in name only. The coordinator suggested that I withdraw from that site and join another one closer to my new home. But I was unwilling to leave. To avoid being seen as a member in name only, I decided to go out to do the exercises at this site.

I overcame various obstacles, and began to go to the park to do exercises at 4:30 in the morning. I’ve been doing this for over a month now, and completing five exercises in one go every day. I feel that I’ve gradually regained the state I had when I first began cultivation. My endurance has improved, and after finishing the exercises, I felt refreshed and clear-minded.

After breaking through the difficulties in doing the exercises, many positive changes appeared. I no longer felt as tired as before, and got rid of the bad habit of going back to sleep after waking up. I no longer worried if others blamed me. Though I sleep less now, I felt more energetic. My digestion is better, and my symptoms of constipation have disappeared. I also got rid of the attachment of fear, walking in the dark, being startled by barking dogs, and being afraid of standing for long periods while doing exercise two. I have rectified myself.

Coming out to do the exercises with the group at the park is truly extraordinary. At this final stage of Fa-rectification, I must seize the time to rectify myself. I will be more diligent in cultivation and truly cultivate myself well, so that I can assist Master in saving more people.

Reciting Zhuan Falun and Assimilating to the Fa

At our exercise site, after finishing the five sets of exercises, we form a circle to study the Fa together. We recite the Fa twice a week. Soon after, I found an effective way to recite the Fa. Whenever I had spare time, I would recite it. If I forgot a sentences or paragraph, I would quickly look at the book and repeat it until I had memorized them. Through this process, I discovered that I could recite even without looking at the book. I regained my confidence in reciting the Fa.

Whenever my mind was free, I would think about the sections I had already recited and continue from there. My mind was filled with the Fa, and I experienced the wonderful feeling of being completely immersed in the Fa. I even regained the sharp memory I had when I was young. I believe Master has strengthened and enlightened me. Thank you, Master!

Reciting the Fa is truly sacred. It has always been my wish. I will persevere and continue to recite until I can recite the entire book of Zhuan Falun.

Changing Notions and Breaking Through Sickness Tribulations

A true practitioner shouldn’t have any illnesses, so I have never acknowledged the names of any diseases that people in ordinary society talk about. Whenever my body is in an abnormal state, I simply study the Fa more, look within, and find out where I have done wrong. Once I discover the root cause, I then correct myself.

In 2003, while I was in the United States, the weather was freezing cold. Because I was afraid of the cold, I didn’t want to go out to clarify the truth. This meant that I had neglected one of the three things Master requires practitioners to do. As a result, serious problems appeared. My skin began peeling off repeatedly, and both of my legs became swollen. I realized that the old forces were exploiting my attachments to fear of cold, dirt, ugliness, bad smells, and fatigue to persecute me.

I decided to return to Taiwan right away, and make full use of my time to do the three things well. In about six months, simply by taking cold showers and without taking any medicine, I completely recovered. My skin became even smoother than before.

In March and April of this year, I was attached to buying imported wooden handicrafts online, such as bead bracelets, vases used in Buddhist ceremonies, and tea trays. I had unknowingly put myself among ordinary people. I even enjoyed collecting pieces with the unusual wood grains, admiring their pattern as if they were something beautiful.

As a result, many blisters came out on the right side of my waist and back. I looked inward, found my attachments, and changed my mindset. After realizing my mistake, I sincerely repented in my heart: “Master, your disciple was wrong!” I immediately rectified myself and gave away those wooden items that I had collected. After that, the blisters gradually faded away. I went through about three weeks of suffering, but did not see a doctor or apply any medicine. I naturally recovered day by day.

Taking Human Emotions Lightly and Fulfilling My Mission

My daughter-in-law gave birth to their third child this June, a lovely little granddaughter. When I saw her, my love for her as a grandmother naturally welled up. I often asked my son to send me photos or videos of the baby. Although we didn’t help take care of my grandchildren directly, my husband and I have been supporting them financially and materially.

I also bought some special foods for my son, and asked him to come over to get them, or cooked something delicious and invited him to eat. I frequently ask if he had enough money. All of these were manifestations of sentimentality. I realized that a higher form of emotion should be compassion and personal sentiment should be taken lightly.

I still have certain attachments, such as enjoying small wood carvings and craft designs, or applying oil to wooden stools, furniture, and ornaments, like when I used to paint. I especially love Taiwan cypress and nanmu wood. I like their beautiful natural color and textures. But these are all attachments. Once we achieve consummation, we will have whatever we want. So why cling to these things? I must get rid of these attachments and desires.

Conclusion

I am deeply grateful to Master for constantly giving me opportunities to rectify my shortcomings in cultivation, to come out of the human state, and to catch up on my cultivation. The Minghui website published an experience sharing article where the author said: “Hurry up! Our cultivation will come to an end at any moment.”

I was truly moved after reading it. We have reached the very end of Fa rectification. Saving people has become extremely urgent. As Dafa disciples, we should not let our hearts be distracted by anything other than saving sentient beings.

These are some of my recent understandings in cultivation. If there is anything improper, please kindly point it out with compassion.