(Minghui.org) I am a female Dafa practitioner who lives in the countryside. In 2005, I was fortunate to learn Falun Dafa. Looking back at my 20 years of cultivation, I have experienced the sacred responsibility of clarifying the truth about Dafa to save people. I also experienced the emotional trials of family tribulations and conflicts with fellow practitioners, as well as the joy of improving my xinxing. Above all, I am deeply grateful to our compassionate and great Master. I would like to share a brief experience in which I looked inward, cultivated compassion and kindness, and made personal improvements.
One day while I was clarifying the truth to people on the street, my sister approached me angrily. My sister is also a Dafa practitioner. She asked, “Who did you tell about your family tribulation?” I admitted that I had shared it with Hui. Then she said, “Hui told Jia.” It turned out that Hui mentioned my tribulation to Bing in hopes of helping her. Then Bing shared my story with Jia and asked Jia to share her experience with me to help me overcome challenges. Both Hui and Bing had good intentions of helping me, but their human thoughts inevitably arose and my original story was distorted. One person told two, two told three, and before long, the story had changed while spreading widely. I felt ashamed.
Eventually, Jia told my sister about my tribulation. Knowing the situation had been distorted, my sister stopped Jia from spreading it any further. A few days later, I needed to visit Jia. She said she had realized a Fa principle that could help me and asked my sister to tell me about it. She asked me if my sister had told me about the Fa principle. However, I was still upset about the rumors, so I failed to control my temper and replied emotionally, “My sister told me everything! You spread falsehoods about me!” Jia insisted that it wasn’t her. We both got frustrated and upset, argued, and parted unpleasantly.
At home, I felt very upset. I recalled that Jia had previously spread falsehoods about me, and now, it happened again. My heart was filled with resentment. Over the next few days, I struggled, couldn’t focus on studying the Fa, nor could I be calm when sending forth righteous thoughts. My mind was consumed with anger, and I forgot I was a Dafa practitioner who must transcend human emotions.
Finally, I deeply immersed myself in Fa study, and my mindset improved, which led me to look within. I found I had many human attachments: resentment, competitiveness, jealousy, vanity, selfishness, concern about my reputation, failure to cultivate my speech, being unkind to others, and more. I was startled by how many attachments there were and that my cultivation was lagging. I asked Master to strengthen me so I could dissolve these attachments. I wished to have only compassion and kindness.
With continued Fa study, my mind gradually calmed down. I realized that Master had arranged this situation to help me eliminate human thoughts and to progress in my cultivation. Instead of feeling resentful, I felt grateful to Jia for helping me improve. I realized that by confronting Jia with anger, I failed to follow Master’s requirements, failed to align myself with the Fa, and I caused harm to Jia. With a humble heart, I visited her to apologize.
Through this argument, I learned a profound lesson. I made up my mind to follow Master’s guidance, rigorously refine my character, cultivate compassion and kindness, and treat my family, fellow practitioners, and the world with compassion and kindness.
When practicing the exercises and sending righteous thoughts, I reminded myself to sit upright, maintain a serene expression, and embrace compassion. Similarly, during Fa study, I ensured that my posture was correct, my demeanor was peaceful, and my heart was filled with kindness. While clarifying the truth about Dafa, I tried to guide others toward goodness. If people refused to listen, I did not let them commit wrongs against Dafa, nor did I let negative emotions arise in me. On several occasions, when individuals initially dismissed the truth, I spoke to them with sincerity, and their attitudes softened. They withdrew from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliates, requested materials about Falun Dafa, and said they would share the information about Dafa with their family and friends. For those who still hesitated to quit the CCP, I encouraged them to reflect on it and then seek out a Dafa practitioner to withdraw from the CCP when they were ready, reminding them that time waits for no one. They often expressed gratitude before leaving.
When my impatience or anger was about to surface, I reminded myself, “These emotions are not me. I reject them and choose goodness.” Over time, my mindset continually improved. Since consciously cultivating compassion and kindness, I have felt a profound sense of happiness.
My family has changed, too. Many of their negative habits have faded, their speech is calmer, and my interactions with them have become more compassionate, while I have been acting gentler as well. As Master said, “Under the effect of righteous thoughts, everything around you, as well as you yourself, will undergo changes.” (“20th Anniversary Fa Teaching,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World, Volume XI). Truly, this transformation is a testament to the power of Dafa.
I am grateful to our great, compassionate Master! I am grateful to fellow practitioners.
The above is my personal understanding. Please point out any shortcomings.