(Minghui.org) In an article on the Minghui website a fellow practitioner lamented, “It has been over ten years now, when will this persecution end?” It reminded me of my own attachment to the end time that I once had. I now believe that this notion is dangerous. A person with such a thought may not be able to reach consummation if this last moment were to arrive.
In the early days of the persecution, the pressure was intense. I was fearful of being seized by the police and I didn't dare to study the Fa. At that time, many practitioners and I had a strong desire for the persecution to end quickly.
The desire for a quick end is actually a strong attachment, but we did not realize it at that time. I think Teacher saw our problem and made a statement in 2002 during the conference, Touring North America to Teach the Fa,
“Of course, there won't be another ten years. It's not allowed to take that long, and they don't have that much time left in their lives. ”
We were encouraged by that statement, because there was a time limit. The question, “What should we do if it takes longer than ten years?” did not occur to us. We just took the meaning of this for granted. I now realize that Teacher was not talking about when to expect the persecution to end, but was teaching us a principle of the Fa regarding the need to completely let go of our attachment to time. In fact, before mentioning the ten years, Teacher said in the same article, “Don't worry that it will take a long time.” (Touring North America to Teach the Fa)
Attachment to Time Surfaces
However, at that time I did not let go of my attachment to time. Instead, I was focusing on the ten years and interpreted my attachment as having faith in Teacher's words.
Indeed, whenever July 20 arrived, I would count the number of years that had passed, especially when it was getting close to 2012. On a blog provided by the Epoch Times, I saw the question, “When will humankind’s great catastrophes occur?” A practitioner answered, “It will start in 2012.” I was surprised at such a confident answer.
I later found the Mayan prophecy in the Epoch Times that indicated that 2012 would be the year when catastrophes would strike. Since this year coincides with the ten-year period mentioned by Teacher, I was convinced that the fellow practitioner was right. I didn't realize at that time that I was following human logic instead of the Fa. Furthermore, I ignored the fact that the collective belief of Dafa disciples is an important factor influencing major events in China, and I continued to look for outside causes, instead of letting go of my own attachment to time.
The year 2012 came and went. The persecution did not end and there was no worldwide catastrophe. I was disappointed and couldn't understand why Teacher's words did not come true. I didn't look inward for my attachments like a true practitioner. Instead, I was thinking like an everyday person, which was very dangerous for a practitioner.
Understanding the Extension of Time
I now believe that even with just one attachment to time, one cannot reach consummation. It is more likely that practitioners have other attachments too. Take myself as an example, I had been attached to lust as well. When I saw a beautiful girl, I couldn't help but take notice. I am better now, and am able to remind myself not to pay attention. Clearly, had the persecution's end occurred in 2012, I would in no way have reached consummation. I can appreciate much better now what Teacher said at “Fa Teaching at the 2013 Western U.S. Fa Conference,” “The time has been extended for your sake, and for the sake of sentient beings.”
I read discussions on Minghui about the extension of time. Many practitioners understood that they were not ready for consummation when the expected time had arrived. For me and a few others, we were still arguing that what Teacher said should not change regardless of consequences. Such a self-righteous thought shows a lack of understanding of what Fa rectification is about. Teacher is here to offer us salvation and save sentient beings. This objective must be met and Teacher had to endure much more in order to extend the time. It was shameful for me to entertain such a human thought and to continue to look outside for a cause when things did not happen the way I expected.
The real reason why the persecution did not stop after ten years has been given in the poem Troubles in Hong Yin III
“I close my eyes and doze offto sever all troubles hereUpon waking, endless things come alongNeither heaven nor earth canblock my road of Fa-rectificationBut disciples' human hearts can”
Letting Go of My Human Thinking
I now understand that I had been following a human way of thinking instead of the Fa. I did not look within for the cause. The persecution will end when Dafa disciples give up their attachments to how things should be.
I also understand that the idea that I have done enough of the three things and should reach consummation is another harmful human notion. It is also a display of selfishness, because it focuses on the self and has no concern for sentient beings. Practitioners who do not reach the standard may receive blessings in the human world, but cannot reach consummation.
The persecution of the Christians lasted for about three hundred years. We should not be concerned about the length of time in the present persecution. Furthermore, the threat is much smaller now compared with what it was. Teacher has bought more time with unimaginable endurance for us to improve and save more sentient beings.
We must let go of our attachments and human notions. This is very important. As you know the old forces were eliminated because they did not let go of what they were attached to. A key point is to believe that what Teacher has planned for us is the best way to reach consummation. In conclusion, let me repeat what Teacher said, “The time has been extended for your sake, and for the sake of sentient beings.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2013 Western U.S. Fa Conference”)
Category: Improving Oneself
