(Minghui.org) I recently read an article entitled, “The Purpose of Doing the Exercises,” which inspired me to write about my thoughts on doing the exercises correctly.
I came from China. I found that many practitioners do not pay attention to the exercise movements. Also, some practitioners tend to scratch themselves here and there while they are doing the exercises. Many also have their eyes open. I did the exercises outside with other practitioners. My wife saw us when she was on the bus and commented to me after she came home: “Some of the practitioners were fidgeting when they were doing the sitting meditation. You were the only one whose back was straight.” We must not slack off when we do the exercises outside; otherwise it doesn't look good.
After my wife pointed this out, I watched Master's instructional video again and saw that I was not correct in some minor details. I corrected myself accordingly.
About the movements, Master has said that we should try to be accurate. As I understand it, when we do the exercises, especially during the Fa-rectification period, not only ordinary people, but also countless beings from in and outside of the three realms are watching us. They are paying attention to our actions and thoughts all the time. We should pay attention to the way we do the exercises, which is an important part of cultivation. We should not slack off.
The above mentioned practitioner made this comment on the exercises: “Each movement of the five sets of exercises has its meaning. When we are doing the exercises, the movements are displaying Dafa's boundless divine power, which in other dimensions disintegrates evil, saves sentient beings, and purifies the cosmos. It's not as simple as it looks.”
I have practiced Falun Dafa for more than 15 years. When I was in China, we would correct each others' movements. Despite that, I still got some minor details wrong. For example, in the fifth exercise, it is usually the upper hand that should be closer to the body than the lower hand. I did not pay attention to this before. I would like to suggest that practitioners outside China study the Great Consummation Way of Falun Dafa and correct their movements. Also, it is important to check each other. We will look much better in public.
There have been some discussions around this issue, including the hand positions for sending righteous thoughts. However, many problems remain. I heard that practitioners have organized a group practice to correct each other, but the situation has not improved much. I realized that this is because we didn't take it seriously. How can we improve if we are not serious about these issues: Once I heard from a practitioner, “Today I am going out to demonstrate the exercises. I must do a good job. I can't make any mistakes.”
Did it ever occur to us that we slack off when we are just doing the exercises ourselves?
I have noticed many practitioners falling asleep while sending forth righteous thoughts and meditating. We are doing things to validate Dafa. Every day we have to study the Fa and do the exercises. We also have to make a living. If we are diligent in cultivation, then we will not be tired. When we are really tired, I have two suggestions: 1) I usually sleep on my desk for about 20 minutes. I set my alarm so when I wake up, I am alert enough to send forth righteous thoughts or do the exercises. 2) I send forth righteous thoughts targeting the issue of fatigue.
These are just my understandings. I hope that practitioners will pay attention to the minor details so we can harmonize Dafa and advance diligently together.
