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I Realized Why I Was Stagnating in My Cultivation: I Wasn't Looking Inward When Seeing Others' Problems

June 22, 2014 |   By Li Yan, a Falun Dafa practitioner in China

(Minghui.org) Some practitioners, even some coordinators, may form notions about others when they work together on projects. Many times, we can clearly see others' problems, temporary poor state of cultivation, or long-term tribulations.

One may think: “How can this practitioner be like this? Why is he always like that?” As if they were being responsible to others, some practitioners remind others repeatedly and sometimes even end their remarks with: “It's been such a long time! Why are you always like this?”

I personally think that we should turn this state around, and we shouldn't always focus on others' problems. When we do, we add stress and negative substances to fellow practitioners. Perhaps the group notions about one practitioner may cause him to be stuck at a certain cultivation state for some time and cause difficulties that can prevent him from making a breakthrough.

These negative notions do not help the practitioners who harbor them, either. They simply create unnecessary gaps or negative factors for the group cultivation environment and lead the team collaboration away from the proper state. It doesn't help the person pointing out the problem, the practitioner him or herself, or the main group of fellow practitioners.

Our cultivation focuses on improving oneself. Why don't we ask ourselves why we've seen fellow practitioners' issues? Is it because we share the same problems but are not aware of it?

If the practitioner doesn't accept our feedback or input, is it because our tone is harsh or we have little compassion? Or is it because we haven't been truly clear on our own understanding of the Fa? Or is it that our tone sounds like a complaint or criticism?

I'm not just pointing out others' issues or cultivation state. After repeatedly watching the video of Master's Lecture to Australian Practitioners, I realized that I need to cultivate myself well and encourage others with kindness.

I realize that I should believe that the Fa can rectify everything, study the Fa with fellow practitioners, and send righteous thoughts to end any interference. This will enable me to overcome all tribulations.

There's no need to get fixated on others' attachments or worry too much. If we do, it may have the opposite effect. It's also a reflection of not believing in Master or the Fa.

We should firmly believe: “The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts.” (“Drive Out Interference” in Essentials for Further Advancement II)

Actually what I've shared with you is an analysis of a cultivation state I was in for a long time. As soon as I understood what I was doing, I dug out the roots of my behavior, which stemmed from a lack of diligence.

We should unequivocally look inward no matter what problems we see and examine ourselves to see if we have the same issues. If we think, “I've cultivated pretty well,” then shouldn't we hold ourselves to higher standards? Whenever we see other practitioners' problems, we need to make sure that we don't have the same problems.

We know this can only be achieved if we can completely follow the Fa's requirements. Cultivate our own attachments away and don't focus on others' issues. We also need to firm up our thoughts and immediately rectify our own gaps once we identify them.

As soon as I came to this realization, in another dimension I saw a black cluster being expelled from my body. I knew this was something formed by my complacency. My righteous thought of “following the Fa's requirement 100%” cleaned out the black substances. The attachment of thinking I have cultivated well was the reason I was not able to advance in my cultivation for a long time.

I'm sharing my personal understanding at my current level. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.