Cultivation Experience of Persevering with Outdoor Exercise

(Minghui.org) I moved to the West Coast a few years ago and established a new outdoor exercise site near my home. For the next five years I continued exercising there every day. Initially, there were only three or four fellow practitioners, but later the number increased to seven, who joined daily.

Hold Fast to Principles and Strengthen Exercises in Turbulent Times

Since the Minghui website published the new exercise music, we had been practicing the second exercise, “holding the wheel,” for an hour each day, along with the other exercises. We started at 4 a.m. and finished at 6:30 a.m. Most of the practitioners at this exercise site work in media projects, so after exercises in the morning, they rushed to their companies to participate in the daily group Fa study and then begin work.

Because we studied the Fa and did the exercises daily, everyone felt energetic, and their work efficiency improved. In addition to doing their media work well, many also joined the Divine Land Marching Band, and some took on various other projects to validate Falun Dafa. Every practitioner at the practice site experienced great benefits and gained many insights.

We woke each other up by calling or texting at around 3:00 a.m. A fellow practitioner picked everyone up, and we rode together to the site, which took about ten minutes. Sometimes, media work was hectic, and we worked late into the night, which made it difficult to get up in the morning. However, since we acted as a group, when one practitioner called, we were usually able to get up. Once we went out and exercised, we felt our energy recover quite quickly.

Master told us:

“Let me tell you that if you do as I have taught in this practice system, it is guaranteed that there will be no harm, only benefit. You claim that you are too busy and don’t have the time. Actually, you are afraid that you don’t get enough rest. Has it ever occurred to you that cultivation is the best form of rest? You can obtain the kind of rest that can’t be obtained through sleep. Nobody would say: “The exercises are making me so tired that I can’t do anything today.” One would only say: “The exercises are making my whole body relaxed and at ease. I don’t feel sleepy after a sleepless night. I feel full of energy. I feel completely fine after a day’s work.” Isn’t that the case?” (“Teachings at the First Conference in North America”)

Persevering and exercising outdoors also tests my faith in Master and the Fa. I recall several occasions when I was not feeling well, and practitioners asked me, “Are you coming today?” During those times, I was very conflicted. Suffering from dizziness, severe pain, and intense discomfort, I would recite the Fa, knowing that I needed to rely on the power of the Fa to break through.

I remembered Master’s words whenever I went through a difficult time:

“It’s hard in that even when terrible calamity strikes, even when evil madly persecutes, and even when your life is at stake, you still have to steadfastly continue on your path of cultivation and not let anything in human society interfere with the steps you take on your path of cultivation.” (“Path,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress II)

Each time, I was able to get up and persist in practicing the exercises. After each session, I felt a significant improvement in my physical condition. I came to understand that the illusory disturbances that appear in the body were also tests for disciples. Maintaining a firm belief in the Fa is the key to overcoming tribulations.

Long-term outdoor exercising is also a process of cultivating myself to let go of the desire for comfort, and of continuously discarding human notions. I noticed that whenever I worked late, I would think, “I’ve only slept for less than three hours; it will be difficult to practice the exercises tomorrow.” I would feel exhausted and uncomfortable, even if I forced myself to go. Sometimes, before going to bed, I casually glanced at the weather forecast to see if heavy rain or wind was expected the next day. The following morning, it would be equally challenging to get out of bed, with the same feelings of fatigue and drowsiness.

I finally realized that my body’s incorrect state was mainly due to interference from human thoughts and acquired notions. From then on, I made a conscious effort to eliminate human thoughts and notions. I learned not to let external factors such as how late I went to bed, how long I slept, whether it was windy or rainy, or whether it was a weekday or a weekend, affect me. These objective factors have no essential connection with the cultivation of a Falun Dafa practitioner. Cultivation itself is the process of transcending humanity and becoming divine.

After the Covid outbreak, our city issued a stay-at-home order, which led to the suspension of our practice site for several weeks. During that time, we practiced alone at home. However, I found that I was more easily distracted by the comfort of home, and at times I found it difficult to complete all five exercises daily. While meditating, I often felt drowsy, and the effects weren’t as good. Everyone missed the days when we could practice outdoors, so we were eager to resume as soon as possible. When we finally resumed morning exercise outdoors, we all felt deeply moved, and grateful for the cultivation environment Master has provided us.

As spring transitioned to summer, we maintained our daily exercises. In the summer, mosquitoes often swarmed around us, causing swelling on our faces and hands. During winter, our fingers would often freeze until they ached deeply. At times, strong winds blew sand into our ears, noses, and mouths, but we never stopped. We attribute all of this to the compassionate blessings of our Master.

Discovering Human Hearts and Eliminating Attachments During Outdoor Exercises

I was transferred to the East Coast for work three years ago. During the journey, I missed the outdoor exercise site on the West Coast. I didn’t know any fellow practitioners here, nor was I familiar with the local exercise sites, which left me feeling quite conflicted.

I didn’t expect that as soon as I got off the plane, I would be invited to stay at the home of a practitioner who participated in outdoor exercises. We went out together the next day to practice and didn’t waste a single day. I realized that as long as I had this desire, Master had already made arrangements for me.

The environment for cultivation has changed. Due to the climate here being cold, I have many more challenges to overcome. I see this as a valuable opportunity to let go of my attachment to comfort, as I not only need to get up early, but also resist the cold.

I tried six different outdoor exercise sites in my local area to find a site that best fit my work schedule. On Christmas Day 2022, I experienced temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius (-0.4F). After practicing that day, my fingers were frostbitten. However, none of my fellow practitioners at the same practice site had any problems. I began to wonder where I had gone wrong and why I was the one being interfered with.

My work team complimented me on how early I got up and how well I stuck to my schedule, which led to a sense of complacency on my part. I also found that on several occasions, I misread the time and got up an hour earlier than usual, but I didn’t feel tired. I wondered, was this diligence? Where does this motivation come from?

I had heard that not many practitioners came out to practice during the winter here, so I thought, “If others can’t do it, I can. I can come out even when it snows in winter.” I now realize that this mindset, though seemingly diligent, was more about self-validation than validating Dafa. I discovered that my motivation to do things that others couldn’t stemmed from a desire to prove myself, and ultimately I found that I couldn’t withstand the test.

I realized that even when doing something as sacred as doing Falun Dafa exercises outdoors, I was carrying a human heart that wanted to validate myself, which was dangerous.

Understanding the Forms of Dafa Cultivation

Due to work commitments, I can only complete the daily exercises and Fa study early in the day. If I don’t finish them in the morning, I won’t have time to catch up later during the day. This has resulted in eight years of outdoor exercises. I had been doing well on the West Coast because someone always relied on me for a ride. Even when I felt unwell or uncomfortable, I made the effort to practice outdoors because I didn’t want to inconvenience others.

I am alone on the East Coast. Many times, I meditate alone in the park when it is dark. A few times, I have encountered homeless people who frighten and disturb me. Despite this, I need to do well and cultivate even in an environment where I feel alone.

Sometimes I work diligently but other times I slack off, even for extended periods. During these periods, practitioners always ask about me, show concern, and inquire why I haven’t come out to practice recently. They even offer to give me a wake-up call, trying to motivate me, and offer encouragement to help me study the Fa more and persevere.

I have come this far and persevered, thanks to the strength I have gained from studying the Fa, and the unwavering encouragement and help of fellow practitioners around me.

I have come to realize that participating in group exercises and studying the Fa every day is following the path arranged by Master. Although it seems ordinary, it requires overcoming many tests and interference. Being able to persevere and walk steadily on this path is also Master’s requirement for us.

The Wonder and Extraordinary Power of Dafa

Three years ago, I purchased a life insurance policy that required a physical examination, which involved numerous lab tests to evaluate various health indicators. The insurance agent seemed nervous, and informed me that the policy would not be valid if I failed the tests. She repeatedly urged me to pay close attention to my rest, diet, and overall health.

Due to the pandemic, the physical examination was conducted at home, with a nurse visiting. After measuring my blood pressure and heart rate, she exclaimed, “Wow, you’re the same age as me, but you’re much healthier than I am!”

A few days later, my physical examination report came out. All of the more than 100 indicators were within a normal range. The insurance agent was impressed that my health was so good; it was rare to see such a case in her company. I took the opportunity to tell her again the truth about Falun Dafa and its health effects, and I told her that this was the result of my persistent outdoor practice over the years. She also agreed, saying that this must be the miraculous effect of Falun Dafa.

Closing Remarks

I came to understand that our physical bodies are our own small universes, capable of carrying countless beings with whom we connect. Behind each being are countless other lives. Therefore, we must cherish our individual universes and cultivate diligently. Outdoor exercise sites provide the best environment for cultivation, as they are a gift from Master. It is our responsibility to maintain and participate in them, striving to do our best every day.

No matter what kind of tribulations we face in life, as long as we can go out to exercise, we will feel better, and the tribulations will become much smaller.

Cherishing the connection between fellow practitioners and the opportunity to practice Dafa also means cherishing ourselves. We hope that more fellow practitioners will step forward to establish more outdoor exercise sites in their local areas, thereby guiding more people with a predestined connections to obtain the Fa.

This is my understanding at my current level. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.