Falun Dafa Minghui.org www.minghui.org PRINT

Where Does Resentment Come From?

March 26, 2013 |   By a Falun Dafa practitioner from San Francisco, California, USA

(Minghui.org) Recently, I listened to another practitioner discussing the issue of being easily irritated and feeling resentment. I was very touched, and after looking inward, I realized that I sometimes also get very resentful. I became upset and resentful when others’ methods didn't align with my notions, when their words irritated me or when I felt that they weren't treating me fairly. Sometimes, it even affected my relationship with fellow practitioners and Dafa work.

We've all had similar experiences. After reflecting upon an incident, we then realized that it was really no big deal, and were even puzzled as to why we felt such strong emotions at the time; we felt deep regret afterward. Our true selves do not have such negative and demon nature, so where does it come from? I thought about this and was perplexed for many days.

One early morning a few days ago and just before waking, I witnessed a vivid scene. I had harmed someone in a recent past life; I'm not going to describe the details. The important issue is that this person hated me all this time. Finally, I realized that quite often, the resentment and anger I had for others was the manifestation of the hatred he'd passed on to me. His purpose was to interfere with my cultivation.

In fact, I've noticed that many practitioners have recently shown their grievances and resentments, and this is not a coincidence. We have reincarnated many times, and may have harmed some lives. My personal understanding is that their hatred is one source of the resentment that we've subsequently displayed. One of the reasons that these behaviors have become more prominent recently, is that many projects are in critical periods of operation, so these notions are interfering with us. Another reason is that Fa-rectification has reached the final endpoint, and many beings are in a hurry to collect debts and exact their revenge.

I also realized that when we're diligent, the grievances they pass on to us are less severe, but more grievances appear when we're less diligent. My understanding is that when we're diligent in our cultivation, Master helps us to resolve the deep-running grudges from history. When these lives see that you are not diligent, they then felt unsure about your future consummation, and therefore your ability to pay them back with blessings - so they interfere with you. At that point, even Master cannot do anything. Some lives even believe: “You told me while sending righteous thoughts, 'Do not interfere with me and you will have a good place in the future.' However, observing that you study the Fa, do the exercises, send righteous thoughts or clarify the truth on and off without perseverance, isn’t your promise an empty one?” They then intensify the interference, continuously passing hatred and karma onto you so that your resentments grow even stronger, to the point that they may manifest as illness karma.

I only hope that this sharing can serve as a reminder for everyone.

We really need to be diligent, otherwise, we've let down Master, let ourselves down, and let down those lives which we previously harmed. We are already indebted to them, and now they have committed sins by interfering with us because weren't diligent. Only if we regard everything around us from the perspective of practitioners, including searching inward, can many tribulations be resolved.

Additionally, we shouldn't fight when we feel that other practitioners haven't been “nice” to us. When we handle the situation positively, we then eliminate those negative thoughts (matter, a substance) and methods that interfere with Master’s Fa-rectification, which are arranged by the old forces.

I think that another source of resentment is jealousy, which is transmitted to us by the old forces.

There are many different life forms everywhere in this universe, and you will be affected by the one that you conform to. The old forces are jealous of Dafa practitioners, and jealous of Master being so lenient towards us; they think that it's unfair. When we are not diligent and don't look inward, they can pass jealousy onto us with the excuse of helping us to improve. We still have some human attachments on the surface, but if we can persistently and calmly study the Fa, this jealousy will then have no effect. However, if we neglect our cultivation and conform to them, they will strengthen our attachments. The more you think like them, the more you'll feel that you were treated unjustly and that you're right. Subsequently, you'll fight against or avoid others, rendering your Dafa work less effective.

When your heart is full of resentment and hatred, whatever you do validates the negative side. How can it validate the Fa? We are able to validate the Fa only when we have truthfulness, compassion and forbearance in our hearts. The Fa will then display its power through us - isn’t this true?

These are my personal understandings, please correct anything inappropriate.