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Being Considerate of Others and Viewing Things from Their Perspective
By a Falun Dafa practitioner from Dalian, Liaoning Province, China (Clearwisdom.net) Last year I was deeply touched while attending a small experience sharing conference. It helped me to look within and to see where I had problems, where I fell short and differed from the requirements of the Fa. This conference was originally set up to assist a veteran practitioner, who was also a veteran assistant, overcome serious illness karma. The veteran practitioner compared herself against the Fa and talked about her personal circumstances, understandings, and where she fell short. She hoped that everyone else would also selflessly and freely share their own situations and opinions, and that all the listeners could accept each others' understandings. At the time I felt that this practitioner did not discuss her own condition in depth and did not find her fundamental issues when comparing herself against the Fa. I didn't clearly figure out how to help her to see her shortcomings from the viewpoint of the Fa and did not sort out my own thoughts. While I was thinking about this, practitioner B made a speech, stating how well this veteran practitioner had spoken. He said that he thought her experience sharing was good and then pointed out specifically what he thought was good about it. He gave her positive affirmation and encouraged her. I observed this veteran practitioner's condition and noticed that it constantly changed throughout the conference. Her spirit seemed stronger and her expression more animated. Her complexion became rosy. By the time she left, you could not detect the weakness stemming from her "diabetic" condition anymore. She looked like a different person. Her face was flushed and her gait was strong. The statement that practitioner B made really shocked me. Afterward, I had to really readjust my thinking. I realized that this was a difference in the level of realms. If I had had the opportunity to speak, I would have done it just like I would have done in the past. First, I would have pointed out the practitioner's attachments, where she fell short and how Master would have spoken of this issue on the basis of the Fa. I would not have taken into consideration this practitioner's feelings. I would not have been tolerant, and my language would not have been kind. I would have been critical and blamed her. How could this method produce good results? How could she accept this? Ultimately it would have delayed her solving her problems. Practitioner B used the breadth of his mind at his level of understanding, his tolerance, benevolence and gentle manner to help her to enlighten to the principles of the Fa, and to tirelessly and clearly guide her. He helped her to strengthen her faith in Master and the Fa, to clearly understand the Fa principles and to help her to raise her xinxing. Her "illness" was quickly eliminated and the results could be immediately detected. Master said, “But, over the years, you have formed a habit whereby you always think poorly of some people, and you have had a hard time putting an end to that attachment since you have become accustomed to looking outward. I want to undo this state, and eliminate that substance for you. You can’t go on like that. The time for that has passed.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2010 New York Fa Conference”) As practitioners, we should really listen to Master's words and take the initiative to immediately and completely eliminate this habit of looking outward. From now on in our cultivation, every thought should be compassionate, tolerant and benevolent. We should always be considerate of others and look at issues from their perspective. We should pay attention to our manner of speaking, and be rational and benevolent in every thought. Wherever we are and with everything that we do, we should look inward to the point that it becomes second nature. Fellow practitioners, let's make every effort to strive forward diligently. Posting date: 3/24/2011
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