(Minghui.org) I began to learn Falun Dafa in 2001 when China's state-run media slandered Falun Dafa and the persecution was most severe. I had many tribulations and obstacles at that time and gave up practicing.
I resumed practicing Falun Dafa in 2008, although because of karma and attachments my cultivation state had its ups and downs. However, I never doubted that I would continue on my cultivation path. I was certain that Master had not given up on me.
Looking Inward
A turning point came when I managed to access the Minghui website and read an article about looking inward. I learned that I needed to look inward, no matter what I encountered.
Master said in Zhuan Falun,
“So what I just talked about are the two reasons why doing cultivation exercises doesn’t increase your gong: you have no way to cultivate if you don’t know the Law at high levels, and if you don’t cultivate inward, if you don’t cultivate your character, your gong won’t increase.”
Finally, I understood the importance of looking inward for attachments. I sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate attachments, but found that I still had many more attachments. I felt hopeless and thought that Master was not taking care of me. I kept reading the Fa, but did not cultivate myself. Thus, my situation did not improve.
Master said:
"Pause for a moment of self-reflection,and increase your righteous thoughtsThoroughly analyze your shortcomings,and progress with renewed diligence" (“Rational and Awake” from Hong Yin Volume II)
Master's teachings helped me to calm down, earnestly look inwards and think about how to deal with any difficulties.
Master said,
“A person is like a container, and he is whatever he contains.” (“Melt Into the Fa” from Essentials for Further Advancement)
“If you want to return to the original, true self and move up in cultivation practice, you must conduct yourself according to this criterion.” (Zhuan Falun)
I finally understood that, if we believe in Master and the Fa and follow the Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, everything would change and I could solve any problem.
Whenever I faced sickness karma, I kept reciting Master's Fa,
“For a cultivator, all the frustrations he comes across among everyday people are trials, and all the compliments he receives are tests.” (“A Cultivator is Naturally Part of It” from Essentials for Further Advancement)
When someone made me angry, I would recite Master's poem,
"What is a human?Full is he of emotion and desire.What is a God?Human thoughts are nowhere found.What is a Buddha?Benevolent virtue is amply endowed.What is a Dao?A realized being, serene and clear." (“The Difference Between Mortal and Divine” from Hong Yin)
Repeating another one of Master's poems helped me overcome difficulties:
"A wicked person is born of jealousy.Out of selfishness and anger he complains about unfairness towards himself.A benevolent person always has a heart of compassion.With no discontentment or hatred, he takes hardship as joy.An enlightened person has no attachments at all.He quietly observes the people of the world deluded by illusions." (“Realms” from Essentials for Further Advancement)
Despite my slow improvement, Master kept giving me hints and helped me move past difficulties.
Encouraged to Work Harder
I recently joined a Fa study group that helped me make great strides in my cultivation. Although I was far behind my fellow cultivators' cultivation state, I did not give up but was encouraged to work harder.
Master said,
“As long as you have an attachment, it will be like a lock, like a gate blocking a passage, or like a rope that keeps you from sailing off. You have to break through all of them.” (Teaching the Fa at the Conference in New Zealand)
Master's Fa helped me move forward in my cultivation, although there are still many attachments that I have not eliminated. But, the more I look inward, the easier it is to strive forward, the stronger my righteous thoughts, and the more effortless the elimination of attachments.
Category: Improving Oneself
