(Clearwisdom.net) Not long ago, a Dafa practitioner mentioned to me that another practitioner could not find a job for more than half a year after he got out of the prison where he was persecuted. He stated, "Where can someone like me ever find a job?" (Indicating under Jiang's current policy of implicating down the chain all people involved with Falun Gong practitioners, most employers were unwilling to hire Dafa practitioners.) I feel this is a very improper notion, a notion that we must transcend as practitioners.
A fellow practitioner stated his cultivation experience in "In a Few Words: Good People," "Good people should at least be noble! They should at least have great moral character! They should at least be deeply respected by regular people! They should at least be exemplary people! In the past, good people were called í men of noble character'! So as cultivators, all the more should we good people surpass these things." My personal experience also confirmed his view.
After the persecution started, I was discharged from the military, even though I was an outstanding officer in the unit. Many relatives and fellow officers were worried for me; they were worried that I might not be able to find a job upon my return to civilian life. But I thought that as a Dafa practitioner I had lived to a high moral and righteous standard. I have been doing my job diligently. I did not accept favors nor take bribes, I did not fight for personal gains, and I performed better than even "model workers." In today's society of declining public morals, many businesses are seeking candidates with such qualities. How could we have difficulties finding a job? After I left the military, I applied for a job with a chain-store restaurant business through the want ads. During my conversation with the general manager of this company in my second interview, I told him, "I am a Dafa practitioner." I also told him the facts about Falun Gong. I told him that I am doing so because I must be considerate and responsible for their company, since as Dafa practitioners we strive to be good people and we must be considerate to others. Under the current critical situation and environment (it was during 2000, the evil was rampant and everywhere) I did not want to cause any problems to their company. If they could not hire me, then I simply would go on to other businesses to apply. After listening to me the general manager said, "I understand you and am very sympathetic to you. I believe the freedom to belief is a personal thing. The company will not interfere."
After I had undergone three months training, I was hired as a branch manager, responsible for managing the entire business of that branch. It was highly unusual for people to get promoted so rapidly even for professional food industry veterans, let alone my nearly zero experience in the area of food and restaurant business. During my tenure there, that branch obtained the best business in the record of its establishment. The entire operation went smoothly. At the time I knew that other than my own and the employees' effort, it was the blessing brought to them by Dafa. When I was leaving that business, the company's senior management and fellow worker tried their best to ask me to stay. They felt that they did not want to lose such an outstanding and trustworthy person. I felt that they were all touched by the righteousness, kindness and compassion exemplified through Dafa practitioner's cultivation.
Later on I obtained a position with my current employer through a recruiting firm. This company was a well-known nationwide service provider. A few days after I came onboard, I asked my department manager to inform the general manager that I was a Dafa practitioner, and I would appreciate that they would take that into consideration during my employment there. My department manager told me that the general manager was quite appreciative of my candor, and would like me to stay. Later my company went through three general managers, and I candidly told each general manager the facts about Falun Gong, and revealed myself as a Falun Gong practitioner. Even though as a Dafa practitioner I would never fight for position, power and gains, I was gradually put into more important positions. I was promoted from a regular employee to the manager of an important department, and one of my company's general managers became a good family friend. Even more gratifying, they had been openly speaking out for Dafa in public places after learning the truth, thereby establishing a solid foundation for their future.
Recently another company wanted me to join them as general manager, because they are in urgent need of an honest and high-integrity person for that position. This company's senior management learned of my background through my former colleagues. I also discussed my own situation with their human resources manager, told them the facts about Falun Gong, and the reason for my abstention from drinking and refusal to bribe government officials with "red envelopes." Even so, they had expressed sincere interest, asking me to join them.
Teacher said,
"People's different grasps of and comprehension of the Fa lead to different perceptions of the current situation, and all that's happening is targeting different human thoughts. Those who do well will change the environments around them, and those who do poorly will make the environments around them change according to their states of mind. Dafa disciples have different states of mind, so they have different perceptions of the environment, and that's why the way each person acts is different." ("Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference, July 22, 2002)
I could not feel any differently. Everything will be harmonious once we let go of all attachments, and openly carry out our efforts with dignity. If we subconsciously felt that Dafa practitioners could not obtain a good job under the current environment, then weren't we conforming to the path and notion arranged by the old forces? Wouldn't that situation be what the old evil forces wanted to see?
Under the current environment in China, we must never rashly and impetuously go about our ways, but should rationally validate Dafa with wisdom.
The above is just my own understanding; please kindly point out any shortcomings.
2003-11-25
