(Minghui.org) The true nature and state of mind of the world's people was revealed during this U.S. election. On the surface, this is a U.S. presidential election but in essence it's a battle between good and evil, and a big choice for the survival or destruction of countless beings. Numerous lives are positioning themselves in the process.
What kind of environment and situation will cause sentient beings to show their true state of mind? When the situation appears grim, the righteous side is constantly frustrated. They feel pressured and hopeless—this shows who can still hold on and maintain righteous faith in gods. Haven't we seen that even among President Trump's staff there have been so many betrayals, wavers, and doubts constantly manifesting themselves?
This process reminds us of an ancient Chinese saying—a person's true morals and character are revealed during the greatest difficulties. Gods will determine the future position of each person according to their moral level and true character during this time.
Isn't the performance of the world's people a reflection of Dafa disciples' xinxing? In the face of all kinds of hopelessness, severe pressure, and frustration, can we still maintain our steadfast faith in Master and Fa-rectification? Can we still maintain the same enthusiasm and confidence that we had when we first sent forth righteous thoughts for the U.S. election? Aren't these fundamental tests for us?
Master told us,
“Dafa is cultivation practice. The purpose of Dafa disciples’ cultivation is to reach consummation.” (“To the Fa Conference in Taiwan”)
If we can remember that we are practitioners no matter the circumstances and look at everything we encounter from the perspective of a practitioner, isn't this a good opportunity to expose our human thinking and fundamental attachments, and to ascend in cultivation by eliminating them?
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)
Think about it, haven't we displayed many attachments during this election? We're happy when we see a favorable situation. We're disappointed, anxious and worried when we see a serious situation, and even begin to waver and doubt Master and Dafa. We rely on everyday people, etc… Aren't these all attachments that should be eliminated? Without these situations and circumstances, some of our attachments would not have been exposed. From the perspective of cultivation, aren't these good things?
We do not go along with the old forces' arrangements, and we do not cultivate amidst their arranged tribulations. By seeing things from the perspective of cultivation we are not disturbed by the current chaos in the human world and are not swept up in it. Instead, by remaining clear and rational we can send forth powerful righteous thoughts and really assist Master in the Fa-rectification, and ultimately fulfill what Master wants.
A few days ago, I was disappointed and frustrated after seeing one piece of bad news after another. But when I looked inward, I found an attachment that had been hidden very deeply, the attachment of pursuit. In fact, it manifested very strongly, but for a long time it was so strong that it felt natural and I didn't even notice it.
It was this attachment of pursuit that directed me to pay close attention to the unfolding election for hours every day, hoping that the situation would improve.
I felt confident for a while because I thought President Trump securing a second term was a shortcut to bringing down the CCP and ending the persecution sooner: “Trump wins = CCP falls.” In the face of difficulties and setbacks, I became frustrated and complained about Trump's delay in taking certain actions. I was acting like an everyday person—I was controlled by the situation. I saw that counting on and relying on everyday people also derives from the attachment of pursuit. In retrospect however, every time we counted on everyday people, we have always been disappointed.
I found that behind this attachment there was the attachment to the end of the persecution and Fa-rectification. These two always complement each other and work together. Over the past twenty years, many former practitioners have been driven away from Dafa due to doubt and wavering caused by these two attachments.
For example, some people went to Beijing hoping to consummate. When it didn't happen they doubted Master and gave up practicing. Others strongly hoped the persecution would end, but when a certain time passed and it was not over, they gave up cultivation. If we don't eliminate these attachments, they will bring huge obstacles and tribulations to our cultivation.
The temporary roadblocks during this election and the situation in which evil seems to prevail, is just a test of Dafa disciples' fundamental faith in the Fa and reveals the true mindset of the world's people. Ordinary people are positioning themselves and choosing whether they survive through their words and actions during this election. We Dafa disciples are eliminating attachments and fulfilling our future positions in assisting Master in the Fa-rectification. At the final moment doesn't this give us a good opportunity to examine how firm faith is in Master and Dafa?
As practitioners, we should examine ourselves to see if there are attachments hidden behind the mindset that arises from various situations. We have to distinguish that they are not our own. Once they are exposed, we should send righteous thoughts to eliminate them.
Master said,
“Even if the sky were to fall, a cultivator's righteous thoughts would stay unshaken--that is cultivation, and that is remarkable. (Applause) A cultivator is not attached to anything in this world.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Meeting with Asia-Pacific Students,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. VI)
We must solidly cultivate ourselves in the chaos of the world, and remove all attachments, negative thoughts and notions. We should correct ourselves and firm up our righteous thoughts, and not even think about the unfolding situation or the results. Only by positioning ourselves correctly and not being driven by any situation in the world, can we remain unaffected and send forth strong righteous thoughts.
Master told us that when “all manner of evil are purged, all manner of life born.” (“Unobservant,” Hong Yin Vol. II) Our unrelenting righteous thoughts and truth clarification on this matter is saving sentient beings and fulfilling our sacred vow to assist Master in the Fa-rectification, which is leading to the ultimate goal of cultivation–consummation.