(Minghui.org) Members of our Fa-study group shared experiences, asked for feedback, and were instrumental in changing my understanding.
A senior practitioner appeared to experience illness symptoms. She was worried and asked us to help her find what she did wrong that resulted in attacks by the old forces. At the same time, she looked inside and found many hidden attachments.
This was a chance for me to bring up some minor things. Even though they were not worth mentioning, I thought that several minor things would accumulate into a big one and be more difficult to see.
However, she didn't agree with me. I was rather confused because I was trying to help, but she didn't accept it.
With continued Fa study, I became clear, and my thoughts changed.
What to Do When Other Practitioners Experience Tribulations
During times of adversity, we have to handle ourselves well, as whether we look inward or outward is a matter of which path we take. If we concentrate on finding a fellow practitioner’s attachments without considering possible consequences, we are actually on the path arranged by the old forces. However, if we instead look inward, find our attachments and eliminate them, we are on the path Master arranged.
For example, when we read Master's teachings as a group, we can correct others when they misread. But, we should also look inside to see if we also make similar mistakes when reading Master's teachings. If we can look inward unconditionally and deny the interference from the old forces, the mistakes might not recur.
However, most of the time I only try to correct others' mistakes. Thus, I followed the old forces’ arrangements without realizing it, and my actions were the same as those of the old forces, who only want to change others. As a result, the more I corrected the practitioner, the more mistakes she made while reading. This reminded me of what another fellow practitioner said: “Any attachment you have will affect the practitioner in a tribulation.”
Indeed, only by rectifying ourselves can we help other practitioners. Going forward, whenever I study the Fa, I will look inside unconditionally.
Looking Inside When Noticing Others' Attachments
Whenever we see another practitioner's attachment, we should look inward to see if we also have similar attachments. Sometimes we can deal with big problems well but overlook small problems.
For example, when we buy fruits or vegetables, we may try to pick good ones and keep the seller from picking for us, and we often try to save money by buying items on sale. I think these behaviors show that we have an attachment to personal gain.
Actually, when we see fellow practitioners' attachment to personal gain, it is a reminder for us to eliminate our own attachment to personal gain. However, most of the time we do not realize this but instead criticize others. The old forces see this clearly and consider it a loophole. I made the same mistake and regretted it because I was not helping practitioners but only worsened the problem.
I also noticed that some fellow practitioners cannot accept criticism. After I looked inside, however, I noticed the same problem in myself. I didn't put myself into their shoes but only wanted to criticize and change them. With this attitude, how can another practitioner accept my help? I didn't help them at all.
Now, I would tell other practitioners, “Sorry! It was my fault. Because I didn't cultivate myself well, I not only offered no help but followed the old forces’ arrangements.”
Going forward, I will study the Fa with a peaceful mind, strive forward, always look inside, and not accept the interference by the old forces.
Category: Improving Oneself
