(Minghui.org) Over two hundred volunteer contact persons for Falun Gong exercise sites across Taiwan gathered in Taipei from July 29-30, 2017 to share cultivation experiences and encourage one another in their work.
The conference hall at Chiantan Youth Center in Taipei, Taiwan
Speakers talked about how they studied the teachings of Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa), strove to constantly improve themselves, talked to people about Falun Dafa and raised awareness of the persecution in China, and shared how they worked with fellow practitioners. Many of the speakers discussed how they looked inward when encountering difficulties or had conflicts with others, and how they improved during the process.
Treating Cultivation Seriously
Most of the contact persons have been practicing Falun Dafa for many years. They have a deep understanding of cultivation practice – that it should be treated seriously – and they know the importance of studying the teachings of Falun Dafa well.
Mr. Cheng from Taipei recently realized that he had been slacking off in cultivation and didn't spend enough time on Fa study and exercises. So, he asked himself to gear up, and not to give himself any excuses. Although it wasn’t easy, he said he feels great when he can really solidly study the Fa and do the exercises.
Cheng realized that one cannot be an effective contact person or talk to the public about Falun Dafa well if he or she doesn't study the teachings of Falun Dafa attentively. In his speech, he reminded fellow practitioners to treat their cultivation seriously.
Mr. Liao from Taipei had a similar understanding. He said he overcame a sickness test a few years ago by doing the exercises every day. He emphasized that reading the Fa is the most important thing. He set a schedule for Fa study every day. No matter how busy he is, he always finishes the assignment. Mr. Liao believes that if one solidly cultivates himself, he or she will have the correct response and will maintain righteous thoughts when tribulations arise.
Harmonizing the Group Environment and Improving as One Body
One of the daily jobs of the contact person is to offer help to fellow practitioners and to coordinate their truth-clarification projects. Several practitioners talked about how they work for fellow practitioners selflessly and create a good cultivation environment for them.
Ms. Lin from Penghu shared how she strives to help her fellow practitioners in their cultivation practice. A group of practitioners in her area live far away from the Fa-study site. They don't drive, so another practitioner drives them there every time they get together, no matter what the weather.
Ms. Lin also said that as a contact person, she looks within if there is a conflict or if she sees a problem in the behavior of other practitioners. Then she asks herself if she has the same problem.
Mr. Cheng from Tainan shared how a local group of practitioners could not continue to practice and study together because they could not find a suitable place. Mr. Cheng heard about it and tried his best to find a new place for the group. He helped the practitioners to make sure that they were diligent in their Fa study and were doing the exercises. As a result, the practitioners improved tremendously together.
Getting Rid of Negative Thoughts and Making Breakthroughs in Cultivation
“Cultivation gives me confidence and courage,” Ms. Hsu said in her speech.
Ms. Hsu is the principal of an elementary school. Her co-workers often praise her for her excellent leadership. “Is it because you practice Falun Gong?” some of them have asked. “You are such a good cultivator.”
Ms. Hsu told her co-workers that she used to have a short temper. But cultivating Falun Gong brought great changes. She has become more peaceful and does not lose her temper anymore. She handles conflict well, and because of this she is highly regarded.
Ms. Hsu recently became the chair of a high-end class association. Once, when handling conflicts among the members, she was criticized. She was hurt by the criticism, and even thought about quitting.
But as a cultivator, Ms. Hsu told herself to have confidence and courage, and to be kinder and more humble. After some time, the association held their monthly meeting and all the members were present. The attendance rate was the highest ever and everyone encouraged her and gave her positive feedback.
“The negative thoughts I had during this process were caused by my attachments,” Ms. Hsu said in her speech. “Getting rid of them is part of the process of cultivation.”
