(Minghui.org)
I am able to maintain my xinxing well when I deal with everyday people, but not so well when I'm among fellow practitioners. I often develop sentimentality toward other practitioners with a heart of pursuit. I realize that there are many reasons for this.
1. The heart of showing off
When I studied the Fa, I understood the Fa at a certain level and I knew the Fa was guiding me in what I needed to do. But then I would have another thought and would share this with other practitioners if they had a similar issue.
On the surface this thought seemed right, but digging deeper, I found it was an attachment. When I studied the Fa and enlightened to something, it was Master enlightening me, not other practitioners. The Fa is all-powerful. If another practitioner had a problem and he studied the Fa, Master would also give him hints. If I try to force my own understanding on him this is pursuit mixed in with the heart of showing off.
The old forces arranged for us to try to cultivate others. But we should rectify ourselves in every thought, and no longer do this. When I studied the Fa, if I suddenly realized something and a thought formed, I felt an urge to tell a certain practitioner what I just understood. This is also an attachment of cultivating others, plus showing off.
2. Sentimentality toward other practitioners
From the Fa, we understand very clearly that things among everyday people are predestined. As cultivators we should not casually intervene; otherwise things can go wrong and we will lose de and drop in level as a result. With practitioners, however, especially after the persecution began, it's very easy to develop sentimentality, extend sympathy and empathy, and meddle in other practitioners' business and family issues.
It's my understanding that all interaction among practitioners should revolve around the three things we should do. If it has something to do with saving sentient beings, then we must cooperate well. If not, we should not just do whatever we want. It's the same as with ordinary people when we intervene in the affairs of practitioners. We might also do things wrong because we cannot see the predestined relationship. However, if another practitioner truly has some difficulty, we should not avoid it but should try to help. Regarding this, Master taught that, as long as we act according to the Fa, we will know what to do.
3. Relying on and Admiring Other Practitioners
One particular practitioner would sometimes point out that I had an attachment to fear and suggested how I might eliminate it. I did eliminate much of my attachment so I admired this practitioner and felt that he had cultivated very well. From that point on, whenever I ran into a conflict or problem, I would asked him first. I used human ways to get close to him and brought him gifts. Even if I noticed his attachments, I would not point them out to him, as I had an attachment to sentimentality. I no longer noticed any of his shortcomings, only his good qualities.
What dawned on me was that, if I insisted that he help me resolve certain problems, the result was not good. Sometimes my problem would be resolved after I studied the Fa or if I ran into another practitioner and he would mention something that helped. I would then consider that this other practitioner had cultivated very well and I would try to become close to him. But, as before, I began to notice that many things this other practitioner said were not on the Fa.
During Fa study, Master reminded me about “natural attainment without pursuit.”(Lecture in Sydney) I realized that in cultivation, we must follow the natural course of things.
“A practitioner believes he should only focus on practicing, without paying attention to obtaining gong. In cultivation and practice one should be in a state free of intention.” (Zhuan Falun)
In our cultivation, Master is taking care of us every step of the way. As long as we follow Master's requirements, we will be fine. If we are stuck with a certain problem, Master will remind us through Fa study, arrange for someone to help us or have someone give us advice. Or, we might happen to meet someone and the problem would be solved. If we insist that only a certain practitioner can solve our issue, the result is usually the opposite because we have developed the heart of pursuit. Even if a certain practitioner help us, we still need to realize that Master arranged this. It was Master who helped us.
We should try our best not to be grateful to other practitioners. If we develop sentimentality, it will be not be good for us or the other practitioner.
This is my understanding, please kindly point out any shortcomings.
Category: Improving Oneself
