My Mother-in-Law Helped Me See My Jealousy

(Minghui.org) I was born in China in the 1960s, during the famine caused by the Chinese Communist Party. Because food was scarce and I was always hungry, I became very frugal.

My mother-in-law is also frugal, but in a very different way. She enjoys going to morning markets or supermarkets every day, and buys large quantities of inexpensive fruit and vegetables. She bought many large bags simply because they were cheap. Even when our refrigerator is full she continues shopping, and then throws away the spoiled food. She also collects free plastic bags from supermarkets. I repeatedly tried to stop her, but she did not listen. I gradually looked down on her, and this led to frequent conflicts between us.

Instead of looking inward I was angry at my mother-in-law’s habits. I complained to my husband, hoping he would take my side. Instead, he dismissed my frustrations, and said that I was the one who had attachments. I couldn’t understand—was being careful with resources really an attachment?

As my resentment grew, so did my feelings of discontent. One day when I was so upset that I felt like I was about to collapse, I stood in front of Master’s picture and said, “Master, please help me see my mistake. Am I wrong for trying to stop waste? What is my attachment?” I suddenly realized: I was attached to others’ attachments.

At that moment, everything became clear. My mother-in-law loved shopping in stores, while I preferred shopping online. Her behavior was like a mirror that reflected my attachment to shopping. Master was using her to help me see my obsession. Once I let go of my desire to shop, my resentment towards my mother-in-law gradually faded—and I noticed that she, too, was changing.

When I looked further inward, I realized that my jealousy towards her was so deeply buried that I did not notice it. When she bought clothes for my husband, cooked his favorite dishes, or gave money to her sons and grandchildren, I felt extremely uncomfortable and envious.

One day, my husband told me he would be coming home late. I asked my mother-in-law not to cook too much, and she agreed. However, when I came to the dinner table, I saw a large dish of food. I had a sudden surge of anger and refused to eat. I couldn’t stop thinking about how to retaliate. That night, I stubbornly ate only an apple. By midnight, I was starving—something unusual, as I usually didn’t feel hungry even if I skipped an entire day’s meals.

I calmed myself, crossed my legs, and looked inside. I was shocked to realize that after over twenty years of practicing Falun Dafa, my jealousy and attachment to conflict were still so strong.

After eliminating my jealousy, I began to see my mother-in-law’s positive side. When my husband was imprisoned for his belief in Falun Dafa, my mother-in-law did everything she could to rescue him. She wrote letters to government officials at all levels and clarified the facts about Falun Dafa. As a result, the police relentlessly pursued her and eventually sent her to a forced labor camp. She was brutally persecuted and lost her eyesight. But nothing could shake her faith in Dafa.
Miraculously, two months later, she regained her vision. She did not renounce Falun Dafa and she was released three months later. The more I thought about her strength and righteousness, the more I admired her.

Practicing Falun Dafa increased my forbearance and allowed me to be more accepting. Now, my mother-in-law and I get along well. I’ll cherish this sacred bond, always remind myself to look inward, and continue cultivating myself diligently.