(Minghui.org) I was always very argumentative. After I began practicing Falun Dafa in 1996, I still had a strong attachment to showing off. I enjoyed being complimented by others and was often told that I was capable. Even when we practitioners discussed our cultivation experiences, I always put others down and emphasized my own views.
On the surface, I seemed to be very diligent. But after more Fa study, I examined myself and I realized that although I did a lot of Dafa work, I did it so that others would admire me. I was not really cultivating myself.
Master said,
“In fact, many regular Dafa disciples who are quiet and you don't hear much from have cultivated very well.” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2003 Atlanta Fa Conference”, Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. IV)
I understood that we should regard other practitioners as our family. Whenever we see something lacking, we should just quietly perfect it. There's no need to show off, because we're all family.
Learning to Quietly Help Others
Most of the other practitioners in my area have trouble changing the toner cartridge for the laser printer. They usually damage it and then have to buy a new one, thus wasting resources. I decided that I would learn how to change the cartridge. I watched several videos online on how to remove and reload the cartridge. I also bought the necessary supplies, like lubricants, absorbent cotton, and alcohol.
At first learning the task was hard. It took me a long time to change the first cartridge, and I was covered with toner. The complexity of the task wasn't the only reason nobody wanted to do it—what a messy job. I wanted to give up, but I encouraged myself to continue because I realized that this was a cultivation opportunity.
Over time, I became familiar with refilling and changing the cartridge, and it became easier. When we went to visit with practitioners in the countryside, I found several discarded toner cartridges that were still usable. I brought them home, fixed them, and we used them.
When things became difficult, I sometimes had negative thoughts. One practitioner asked me to come to her home and refill her toner. She said she had heard that I was very proficient. When I heard this, I developed the mentality of zealotry. Right after she praised me, I accidentally dropped the cartridge I had just refilled, scattering toner everywhere. We both immediately looked inward. I found my attachment of zealotry, and she said her attachment was to being very clean and neat. She said that she asked me to help her because she thought I wouldn't make a dirty mess. Because I dropped the cartridge, our attachments were exposed.
One day when I fixed a cartridge for another practitioner I told him to be careful. Only days later, he came back to get it fixed again. I became upset and harshly criticized him. Afterward, he and the other practitioners were afraid to ask me for help. I later understood why that incident happened: I had a bad temper and tended to criticize others; the practitioners who were not good at dealing with toner cartridges were very capable with other projects. I had no reason to get angry with them because I only had a minor skill, which I knew was given to me by Master. In other aspects they were much more capable than me. After I changed my mentality, the other practitioners again asked me for help.
Deepening My Understanding
I participate in multiple projects, such as making materials that clarify the truth. I recently found a problem: practitioners in our county only knew how to fix ink color printers, but no one knew how to repair laser printers. We had to drive to the nearest city, which is approximately 62 miles away, to get them repaired. This was very expensive, so I was determined to learn how to make the repairs.
I soon had an opportunity: Two laser printers needed to be fixed, and the coordinator asked me to drive to the city. The technician told me to leave the printers and they would call when they were ready. I wanted to learn, so I said, “We urgently need to use them. Can you fix one of them right now?”
He agreed. I watched carefully as he worked on the printer. He disassembled, fixed and reassembled the machine so quickly that I only vaguely remembered the steps.
Days later, another machine of the same brand and model needed repair. I wanted to try, but hesitated: I am 60 years old, and I don't have a good memory, can I really do it? What if I fail and cannot properly reassemble it? I finally decided to try. I opened it, and took photos of each step while I dissembled it. After I disassembled and reassembled the machine several times, it still didn't work. I sent it to the local computer repair store, but they also couldn't fix it. The coordinator complained, “I told you to take it to the city!” I also criticized myself. Thus, the machine was kept at my home and not used.
A few days later, another printer broke. Since they were the same model, the coordinator suggested that I disassemble both machines and use the good parts to assemble one, so that at least one of the machines could be used. He also apologized for complaining about me the other day. I agreed to try again, and asked another practitioner to watch so he could remind me of the steps. The result was that both machines worked well again! The problem in my repairing the other machine was really small: I had just forgotten to install a screw. I was so excited that I almost wept! I clearly felt Master was helping us. This experience deepened my understanding of what Master taught,
Master said:
“No matter what it is you have encountered as you've gone about validating the Fa, it is all, I will tell you, a good thing--and that's especially so in these years of persecution--for those things have come about specifically because you do cultivation. Those ordeals and the suffering, no matter how great or harsh you find them to be, are good things, because they take place solely on account of your cultivation.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2008 New York Conference”, Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. VIII)
Our mission is to save people. We must be broad-minded, have compassion, and view every situation from the perspective of the Fa. No matter what project we're involved in, we must try our best to be more diligent, cultivate ourselves well and save more people. I suggest every fellow practitioner think about what more you can do to help save people.
Category: Improving Oneself
