(Minghui.org) The cultivation experience sharing conference and group Fa-study in northern Taiwan was held last weekend in Taipei. More than 1500 Falun Dafa practitioners attended this annual event.
Positive Thoughts Result in Positive Outcomes
Tseng Man from Taipei started practicing Falun Dafa in 2009. She talked about how our positive thoughts can result in positive outcomes. She often needs to travel for work. When she gets back home late, she still has to help her son unload the truck. Although she worked very hard, her son did not help her.
Ms. Tseng said, “If I wasn't a practitioner, I would have complained about him. But because I follow the teachings of Falun Dafa, I know that I need to consider others first, and see things from their viewpoint.”
After she adjusted her mindset and forgave her son, her son changed too, and he helped her. Ms. Tseng said, “When our thoughts are positive and kind, our family members will sense our compassion and benevolence.”
Ms. Tseng also frequently goes to tourist spots and collects signatures on petitions that condemn the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. She noticed that each time she went, the first few people she talked to often refused to sign the petition, but at the end, they were waiting in lines to sign.
She said, “Collecting signatures is a cultivation opportunity, and we should not be attached to the results. Our goal is to let people know the truth. Actually, I've found that many people have already talked to other practitioners before they signed my petition forms. So what each one of us does paves the road for other practitioners. Each practitioner's contribution is important.”
The Importance of Fa-study
Ms. Chen Bili from Taipei said that she feels very energized after she studies the Fa and makes it a priority. “Our righteous thoughts come from the Fa,” she said. “When I am determined, I can always find time for Fa-study.”
She added, “When I study the Fa well, I can use the Fa as my guide to measure my thoughts and behavior, and I can easily identify my attachments. I always write down what I find, and remind myself to improve.”
“When I study the Fa well, by the way I treat others, they can see that Falun Dafa is great. People will see that I am different, kinder. My husband has seen the physical and spiritual improvements in me. He is amazed that I am able to do the exercises outside no matter how cold the weather gets, since I had asthma before I began practicing.”
Tribulations Are Good Things
Mr. Zhang Qingbo started practicing Falun Dafa in 1999. He said that after reading the teachings, he knows that tribulations can be valuable things.
Mr. Zhang quoted Master Li Hongzhi's words (the founder of Falun Dafa):
“Going through hardship and suffering is an outstanding opportunity to remove karma, be cleansed of sin, purify the body, elevate your plane of thought, and rise in level—it’s an extraordinarily good thing. This is a correct and upright Fa-truth.” (“The Closer to the End, the More Diligent You Should Be ”, The Essentials of Diligent Progress Vol. III)
Mr. Zhang explained that something he experienced recently gave him a deeper understanding of this teaching.
Last January, Mr. Zhang could not have a bowel movement for 20 days. He went to many hospitals and tried many drugs, but nothing helped. Finally, his entire body became numb and painful, and he had trouble moving. All the physical examinations showed that nothing was wrong with him, but the doctors could not find the cause.
Mr. Zhang said, “I have read Zhuan Falun(the main book of Falun Dafa) more than 1000 times, but I didn't really understand the deeper meanings of the teachings.”
“While I lay in the hospital, I felt painful, paralyzed, and could not move. I was in so much pain that I could not fall asleep. Only by reciting the Fa and doing the exercises was I able to finally calm down,” he said.
Mr. Zhang said, “I only felt calm and happy when I recited the Fa. After I started to memorize the Fa, I gradually realized that although I've read the teachings for 20 years, I've only understood the meanings at the surface level. They didn't go deep into my heart.”
“During this tribulation, I started to focus and truly study the Fa with my entire being. At last, I was able to reach tranquility during meditation. Before, I could only calm down for five minutes, and then my mind went everywhere. Now, I'm really able to reach tranquility.”
Zhang Qingbo cited Master Li's words in Zhuan Falun:
“There is a standard for each level of existence, and you must meet it—by ridding yourself of bad intentions and whatever is unclean in you—if you are to go there.”
Mr. Zhang said, “Now, I truly understand why I got sick. The fundamental reason is that I hadn't cultivated well. I had attachments which caused this. Only when I finally eliminated my attachments, was I able to improve.”
