(Minghui.org) I started Falun Dafa cultivation practice in 1999, but stopped after my mother was arrested and detained several times. Master did not give up on me however, and I was able to resume practicing in 2011.
Problems Hint of Attachments
When I made phone calls to China to talk about Falun Dafa and the persecution, I talked to all sorts of people. Some people cursed at me, and some wanted to report me to the police. Most were afraid of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and did not dare to withdraw.
One day I called a man and tried to clarify the truth to him. He swore at me and hung up before I finished. I became angry in my heart and called him several times, but he did not pick up the phone.
I then phoned a lady and tried to persuade her to withdraw from the CCP. She said that I had a mental problem and told me not to call her again.
Two people cursed at me when I phoned them that night. I knew that this must have been caused by my attachments, and that I needed to look within. I found that I had attachments to jealousy, competitiveness, grievances, arrogance, sentimentality to my daughter, and trying to save face.
I was not able to focus when I studied the Fa, and my mind wandered. How could I have strong righteous thoughts when I could not even focus when I studied the Fa?
I decided to send forth righteous thoughts more frequently and study the Fa more to clear out my attachments.
After a period of time I was no longer affected when people cursed at me over the phone. Instead I sent forth righteous thoughts to clear the evil beings and substances that prevented people from listening to the truth. I asked Master to strengthen me.
One night I made a phone call to a man from Guangdong Province. He said he liked our radio programs. He and two of his friends agreed to withdraw from the CCP. I told him to remember “Falun Dafa is good, and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good” and he would be blessed.
Participating in the Tian Guo Marching Band
Before I joined the Tian Guo Marching Band, I already felt like I was one of its members. When I heard the band playing, I felt strong energy moving in my body and my eyes filled with tears.
I joined the band in 2016 and played baritone. I was happy, even though I felt a lot of pressure because I had never played a musical instrument. Some practitioners encouraged me while others discouraged me.
When we rehearsed outdoors, I had just learned three songs. My mind was full of the notes and I was very focused when playing. The practitioner behind me kept telling me that my steps were wrong. The team leader asked me to practice my marching steps at home.
My steps were wrong again during rehearsal the following Saturday. The team leader was very stern this time.
“No matter how well you play,” he said, “if your steps are not in line with the others it will damage the band’s image. The audience can see it very easily. The band can go on without you.”
Even though I remained calm, I was devastated, and I cried after I got home.
Master said:
“Yet when we run into problems, we often look outwards—‘Why are you treating me like that?’—and feel that we’ve been treated unfairly, instead of examining ourselves. That’s the greatest and most fatal obstacle for all living beings. In the past, some people said that it was impossible to succeed in cultivation. How could one succeed in cultivation? [They couldn’t succeed] because that was the biggest obstacle, and nobody was willing to find faults in himself amidst problems.” (Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Singapore)
After I calmed down, I realized that the team leader was right. If I was out of step, I would be playing a negative instead of a positive role. I needed look within and let go of my attachments, which included impatience, arrogance, showing off, and intolerance. I sent forth righteous thoughts to clear out those attachments and also asked Master to strengthen me.
I called a practitioner who was in the band, and she invited me to her home to practice the steps. She played the drum while I practiced marching. She told me that my steps should be timed to the drum beat.
I practiced my steps at home every day. During the next rehearsal my steps were correct. I thanked the team leader after the rehearsal.
The team leader told me that I was qualified to play in the parade in Edmonton, which was to be held on July 22. I felt strong energy during the parade and felt that Master was strengthening us. My steps followed the drum beat correctly this time. I felt magnificent.
As long as I let go of my attachments and improve my xinxing, Master will strengthen me.
Category: Improving Oneself
