(Minghui.org) Sometimes practitioners can't overcome tribulations. Some may develop symptoms of being ill or exhibit abnormal behavior. Others may have accidents or become injured. Still others experience family tribulations that are hard for them to snap out of. I realized that no matter how they manifest, these tribulations are caused by underlying factors.
Master Li said:
“What’s happening is that the cosmos is going through Fa-rectification. [What is taking place in] the human world is merely how low-level beings act when gigantic cosmic bodies are being impacted by the Fa-rectification. What could human beings possibly do to divine beings? If there were no outside factors, would human beings dare to do anything to divine beings? How human society unfolds is nothing but the outcome of high-level beings controlling things.” (“In Fa-Rectification Your Thoughts Have to be Righteous, Not Human” in The Essentials of Diligent Progress Vol. III)
I’d like to share my recent experiences.
Ms. Liu's behavior became odd, and the other practitioners said it was increasingly difficult to work with her. She often complained that her feelings were hurt. A project leader phoned and asked me to tell her to leave a project because her behavior was causing interference.
The night before, I dreamed that a person fell from a cliff and died. The rope she was holding onto suddenly broke. I felt that the factors persecuting her were causing her behavior. I told the project lead, “Let me speak with her first.”
When I talked with her, we had difficulty openly sharing with each other. The interfering factors behind her were meddling with me, and I became agitated. I had a hard time being compassionate. Then I realized I was looking outward and blaming her – I knew I needed to examine myself.
When I looked inward, I felt her behavior was a reflection of my cultivation state. When I saw my own shortcomings, Master gave me another test.
The following day, I was helping with another project and ran into Ms. Wang. A few years ago, I was told that her behavior was disruptive. So when I saw her, I remembered this. She didn’t treat me very nicely either.
I realized that our conflict was due to the old forces’ arrangements. Regardless of what she did, she was still cultivating, and we all make mistakes. On the other hand, we are all allowed to correct our mistakes. The old forces, however, use our mistakes to attack us. When I had negative thoughts about Ms. Wang, I realized that I was aligning myself with the old forces. I then eliminated any negative notions I had about her.
Regardless of how people thought about Ms. Wang, I knew I needed to change my mindset. Perhaps I would never have another opportunity to interact with her again. Practitioners’ thoughts carry energy. With so many negative thoughts building up and pressing down on her, she might behave exactly as people thought about her.
The next time I saw Ms. Wang, I managed to maintain a peaceful mindset instead of being judgmental. Perhaps she felt my change, because I also felt very warm and surrounded by a peaceful energy field.
Later, when I met Ms. Liu again, I said, “Thank you for helping me! You helped me examine my own behavior. If I caused you grief last time, it was my fault.” Tears came to her eyes and she said, “Thank you!”
Other practitioners also volunteered to help Ms. Liu. Some studied the Fa with her and some helped her with her chores. Her face now glows, and she's able to contribute to her project again.
During the process, I didn’t do anything except cultivate myself.
Another practitioner, Ms. Zhang, developed symptoms of illness karma and was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. Some practitioners went with her. Time passed, but she didn’t show any signs of improvement. The other practitioners had to fulfill their responsibilities, and, eventually, they stopped going to see her. She was later discharged.
I went to her home to study the Fa with her every night. When I helped her point out her omissions, I realized that I was the one who needed to study the Fa more. In the process, my demon nature was also exposed.
I went out of town to help with promoting Shen Yun and told Ms. Zhang, “Let’s continue with our Fa-study.” One day when she phoned me, she was short of breath. She hinted that she’d thought about going to the hospital. I said it was up to her. Afterward, I wondered whether she should continue cultivating in her current state.
By that time, many practitioners had given up on her. I thought I should not acknowledge that notion, but rather send righteous thoughts to eliminate the interfering factors behind her.
When I phoned her the following day, it was as if nothing happened. She even asked, “Why have you called me so early?”
I suddenly enlightened. This was a test for me. Cultivation is truly amazing. Our every thought and action matters and has an effect on transforming us. Master said,
“Cultivation is about people’s minds, about changing their ways of thinking. However pure your thoughts are, that is your Attainment Status.” (“Teaching the Fa and Answering Questions in Zhengzhou” in Zhuan Falun Fajie - The Law of Zhuan Falun Explained)
My understanding regarding practitioners stuck in tribulations is that we should not project our own shortcomings onto them. We should use it as an opportunity to look inward instead. We need to send righteous thoughts to eliminate our hidden attachments, study the Fa with them, and treat them the same as everyone else. This not only shows we care, it may also help them to stop focusing on their tribulations.
Since we help save sentient beings out of compassion, why can’t we have compassion for fellow practitioners? This also validates the magnificence of Dafa.