Changing Our Notions Revisited

(Minghui.org) Many recent Minghui website articles talk about changing our notions, an important topic for Falun Dafa practitioners. Regarding notions, some practitioners may think of those regarding sickness, healing, or fitness. However, these are only a tiny portion. Notions involve the entire perspectives, which serve as the basis for our reactions in the world.

I walked outdoors one day and looked up into the blue sky. Everything around me became blurry. I felt like I was standing in a box. The buildings, flowers, and other things appeared as if they were two-dimensional. Buddhas, Taos, and gods were all over the sky. They were watching us, like watching puppets in a box. One of the divine beings was surprised that I could see him. He smiled and turned to talk to the others. All things surrounding me in this world felt unreal, like illusions.

I have also seen the manifestation of conflicts in another dimension. The conflicts weren't caused by the other person, but by one's own karma. One's karma annoys the other party. If one fights back, one's karma won't be paid off. If one bickers with the other person or talks about him behind his back, he may end up building more karma. It will be worse the next time, and the conflict will intensify. But those involved don't know about this, and only argue right or wrong superficially, which makes conflicts more complicated and difficult to resolve.

At the beginning of my cultivation, even though I knew theoretically that cultivation could change one's life, I didn't know how it would work. I have now seen how a person's life has been set. When he tries hard to change it, his fate only gets worse. Even if he manages to make things go his way, such as by getting richer, he won't be happy, and troubles and diseases will ensue.

People say “enjoy life now and suffer later,” which isn't actually a true premise. I see people who have always suffered. The “good life” is only what others see. People with the “good life” don't have any way to pull themselves out of striving and suffering.

Practitioners, however, regard all the worldly gains as having little importance. If one is able to tolerate others and stop perceiving matters on their superficial merit, he is paying off his karma. If one can see his own shortcomings in conflicts, and work hard to improve himself, he won't hurt others. Others will also treat him well. Letting nature take its course will reduce the likelihood of building up more karma, and his life may change as a result.

I used to find others at fault when conflicts arose. But when I put myself into other people's shoes, I saw how I had hurt them instead. When others didn't listen to me or didn't help me, I used to become temperamental, and even over-reacted sometimes. Some of my thoughts were ridiculously bad. The others might have been at a complete loss as to why I treated them in a certain way.

I discovered this problem after I had cultivated for some time. When I felt I was right, I would find excuses for my over-reacting behavior. It was all because my personal gain was affected. I was hurt, so I turned around to harm others. I thought I was doing everything right, but failed to realize how I had hurt others. My frustration was caused by my own narrow-mindedness and inconsideration.

My notions also stereotype my family members. For example, dad should be like this, mom should be like this, children should be like that. I became angry when my family members failed to meet my expectations. This was actually a manifestation of my selfishness. My expectations of others made all of us suffer. When I put myself into their positions, I realized how hard it was to meet my expectations.

As practitioners, we can change ourselves. As we improve our xinxing, we become more clearheaded amidst conflicts. Master has eliminated so much karma for us. Otherwise, we wouldn't have the prospect to succeed in cultivation in one life.

If I hadn't began practicing Falun Dafa, I would have been manipulated by my old personality, spent the rest of my life in frustration, and ended up hurting many people. A practitioner can see through the superficial appearances, and taste the joy of the fundamental liberty of life.

My sharing seems rather scattered, but I think the points are very important. I have written about them to suggest that fellow practitioners look for their own faults when they feel others are wrong, and never entertain their attachments.

Please kindly point out anything in appropriate.