Reflecting on “Sickness”

(Minghui.org) When I began to practice Falun Dafa in October 1997, I immediately realized how special it was, and I was determined to practice diligently.

Master said,

“I’ll tell you a truth: The entire cultivation process for a cultivator is one of constantly giving up human attachments.” (Zhuan Falun)

“I have stated that one’s gong level is as high as one’s xinxing level.” (Zhuan Falun)

As Falun Dafa practitioners, we look inward whenever we encounter conflicts. By examining ourselves to see where we've gone wrong, we are able to improve. We go from being good people to becoming truly selfless and altruistic people who place others first.

I'd like to share with you some of my experiences of breaking through sickness karma.

Rejecting Severe Symptoms

I once had a high fever of 104 degrees that lasted for three days. This was in late April 1998. I knew Master was eliminating karma for me. I did not take any medicine and continued going to work as usual. I felt that I was quite strong. On the third day, however, I felt very tired. After work, I asked our company driver to take me home, and I asked that he leave the car with me.

The next day was Sunday, when we meet for group Fa study. My bike was still at the office. It didn't seem right to drive the company car to group study, so I decided to walk—even though it was 2 miles away. As soon as I began walking, my body felt so light that it seemed as if my feet were not even touching the ground. I knew that my great heavenly circuit had been opened and that Master was encouraging me. Tears streamed down my face. It only took me 10 minutes to walk to group study.

In September 2005, I lost control of one of my legs as I stepped off the elevator at work. I had the symptoms of paralysis throughout half of my body. I leaned against the wall, both of my legs numb. I thought, “Everyone in the office knows that I am a Falun Gong practitioner. I cannot tarnish Dafa's image.”

Master said, “Good or evil comes from that instant thought.” (Zhuan Falun)

I pushed myself off the wall and walked to my office.

I was making porridge in my pressure cooker in January 2016. As soon as I opened the lid, boiling porridge overflowed and spilled onto my right foot. I immediately thought, “I'm a practitioner. Nothing is wrong.” I did not feel any pain and cleaned it right up.

That evening my right foot was very red, and two toes were swollen. My skin came off with a slight touch, exposing red flesh. I felt a little pain, but I didn't take it seriously. The next day it was still red and a little painful when I touched it. On the third day, the wound was no longer painful and had formed a scab. Without Master's protection, how could such a serious burn heal so quickly?

Cultivate Solemnly to Assimilate

Many practitioners do not realize the importance of Fa study—it is the foundation of doing the three things well. Sometimes when we study the Fa, we are not focused. Some practitioners treat Fa study merely as a daily task. However, if we study the Fa well, all the questions we have regarding our cultivation will be answered.

Master told us: “Dafa is the wisdom of the Creator.” (Zhuan Falun)

When we read the Fa, we should not skip any of the words. We should pay attention to our speed and pronounce every word clearly. We should also pay attention to the context so we can understand the meaning behind each word.

I think that the process of looking inward is also the process of enlightenment. Enlightenment does not only mean understanding the deeper meaning of the Fa. It also requires us to understand Master's Fa and make sure our thoughts and actions are in compliance with what we have enlightened to. We must examine whether our thoughts and behaviors are in line with the Fa and instantly eliminate any unrighteous thought as soon as it emerges, rectifying our words and deeds accordingly.

Master said,

“Each time you finish reading Zhuan Falun, you have made progress as long as you have gained some understanding. Even if you understood only one point after reading it, you have truly made progress.” (“Learning the Fa” from Essentials for Further Advancement)

We cultivate in order to assimilate to the Fa, to do better in saving sentient beings, and to harmonize with Master's wishes.

Acknowledging Sickness—an Incomplete Understanding

Some practitioners have not kept up with the progress of Fa rectification due to fear or human notions. Even though some of them spend hours per day studying the Fa, they still don't clearly understand the Fa's principles. Others know the Fa's requirements but cannot carry them out; whenever something negative happens, they think about it with human notions instead of from the perspective of a practitioner. They know that we should deny the old forces' arrangements, but they do not do it.

When sickness karma becomes overwhelming, they are afraid. They may feel that they have not cultivated well, or they're afraid that Master won't look after them. As a result, the tribulation may last longer.

I think that some practitioners do not understand the Fa principle of completely negating the old forces' arrangements—often regarding the tribulations as tests arranged by Master. Master's tests are for improving our xinxing. Master has shouldered much of our karma, and the rest is arranged as tests at our various cultivation levels. As long as we improve our xinxing, we can pass the tests.

Some practitioners are or have been coordinators, and they've done a lot. But they treat Dafa work as cultivation and have forgotten to cultivate themselves. They do not do well looking inward during conflicts or sending forth righteous thoughts to eliminate bad thoughts and evil factors from other dimensions.