(Clearwisdom.net)
Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
I would like to talk about my cultivation experience over the past two years overcoming difficulties in buying computers, using the Internet to access the Minghui website (Chinese version of Clearwisdom), and teaching elderly practitioners how to use it.
Buying a Computer
At the end of 2008 I bought a computer and used it to access the Minghui website. At that time, another practitioner living in the same district had already bought one and learned the skills required to operate it. This practitioner suggested several times that I should also get a computer. However, because I felt that my husband would surely object to the purchase, I found all sorts of excuses not to get one.
I often went to this practitioner's place to study the Fa and often saw her reading all kinds of information as well as Dafa books on the Minghui site. I felt that the website was truly the home of Dafa disciples and thus I finally decided that I must buy a computer to access Minghui.
This practitioner immediately helped me buy a laptop. Very sincerely and openly, I discussed with my husband my decision to get a computer. Initially, he was very unhappy about it. I said, “Look at me. You've watched me practice for more than 10 years and I miraculously recovered from a major illness. All these blessings are given to me by Master and Dafa. Going onto the Minghui website is the path leading Dafa disciples home.” After I said this, my husband immediately changed his attitude.
From this incident, I realized the importance of having righteous thoughts and changing our notions when we encounter challenging situations. Previously I had a stubborn notion that my husband would never agree to my buying a computer and that if I even brought it up, it would create havoc in the family. Once I changed this notion and had a firm, righteous thought that this was what Master wanted for me, then on the human side, things changed instantly.
I also understood that many things are actually caused by our own human notions. When our minds are righteous and we act in accordance to the teachings of the Fa, Master will help us. Then, truly, we have the final say.
Learning How to Use the Computer
I'm already in my 50s and had never touched a computer before. My son came home several times to teach me how to use it, but he became impatient with me and I got a little discouraged. At Fa study, I shared this with another practitioner. He promised to make sure I knew how to use it but reminded me that I had to have confidence in myself.
Thus, I put in a lot of effort into learning, and within a day, I learned how to get on the Internet, download materials, etc. Once I learned how to do all that, I quickly urged the practitioner to teach me other computer skills.
However, this practitioner was too busy to teach me, and so I became unhappy with him. I also had other bad thoughts. For example, when I saw other practitioners give out Shen Yun DVDs on public buses, I was upset, became jealous, and kept seeing their flaws.
Once when I shared my thoughts with another practitioner, he pointed out my human attachments and told me to look within myself. His reminder woke me up. Master said in Zhuan Falun:
“In genuine cultivation practice one must cultivate one’s own heart and inner self. One should search inside oneself rather than outside.”
“If in the course of cultivation practice jealousy is not given up, one will not attain Right Fruit—absolutely not.”
On the surface, it seemed that I wanted to take part in more projects and save more people. However, in reality, driven by jealousy, I wanted to learn techniques to prove that I was also capable. In fact, it was the mentality described by Master in Zhuan Falun: “....for if someone is doing well, instead of feeling happy for him or her, people’s minds will feel uneasy.”
Through this incident, my understanding elevated, and from the bottom of my heart, I became considerate of fellow practitioners. At this time, the practitioner approached us and volunteered to teach us computer skills. Now I can also help practitioners who are just learning how to use the computer and solve some issues.
Teaching Others How to Use the Computer
In several of Master's teachings, he mentioned that information material sites should be set up everywhere in China. Fellow practitioners have also shared in articles that Dafa disciples should all go onto the Minghui website.
After I acquired some knowledge about operating a computer, I first helped several practitioners near me set up their computers and took on the role of teaching them how to use it. The practitioner who had IT knowledge helped to install the computer systems.
Teaching fellow practitioners to use the computer is also a cultivation process. I have to act according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in order to train them successfully. Most of my students are elderly practitioners and not highly educated, so I must be patient. I once spent several days training a practitioner who was 67 years old how to use the mouse. After two days he became discouraged, so I said, “Don't be anxious, be more diligent in studying the Fa and don't let this small obstacle get to you. Just try your best to learn. This is Dafa disciples' path home.” Now he can operate the computer himself.
Through training these older practitioners how to use the computer, I also got rid of many of my bad behaviors such as being impatient. I would get anxious after trying to teach a practitioner how to perform a simple operation for several hours and yet he didn't get it. Sometimes I am still impatient, but I immediately become aware that this is an opportunity for me to cultivate. My fellow practitioner is a mirror and his actions reflect those things that I need to improve on. Master said in Zhuan Falun:
“To tell you the truth, the entire cultivation process for a practitioner is one of constantly giving up human attachments.”
After I had these revelations, things proceeded smoothly.
At the same time, my selfish thoughts are also exposed. It takes a lot of time to teach an older practitioner how to use the computer. Sometimes I have had to ride the bus more than 20 times before the practitioner learned the skills. Sometimes I would think that it was taking up too much of my time. I had less time to study the Fa and no time to do other things to save people. Was it worth it? Once this thought appeared, I instantly recognized that this was an attachment to self. I no longer regard it as a nuisance when practitioners call me for help. Instead, I gladly help them resolve their problems. Now these practitioners are able to access the Minghui website everyday and see the sharings published on the website. This is very helpful for their cultivation. Before, some of these elderly practitioners only studied the Fa and sent righteous thoughts at home. They were afraid to go out and do anything to save people. Now some have stepped forward to clarify the facts about the persecution.
This is the last stage of Fa rectification, and I must seize the time to study the Fa and cultivate well in order to accomplish the mission of saving sentient beings.
Fellow practitioners, please kindly point out anything inappropriate.
Thank you, Great Master and fellow practitioners involved in maintaining the Minghui website.
