Looking Inward

(Minghui.org) I started cultivating Falun Dafa about three years ago. Through studying the Fa and with Teacher’s merciful help, I understood that looking within oneself should be done not only when we are facing tribulations, crossroads, or sickness karma and seeking to free ourselves from discomfort. Looking inward should be constant, during every second of our existence, and we should apply it to every action we take or fail to take, every thought, every word we speak, and every intention.

Master told us:

“Cultivation is about cultivating the mind.” (Teachings at the First Conference in North America)

“Since you can cultivate yourself, examine yourself, and see your inadequacies, aren’t you a cultivator? (Teachings at the First Conference in North America)

When I started practicing the discipline, I could only meditate for a few minutes, and I could not even cross my legs in a “half-lotus” position (with just one leg crossed). In order to make progress, I persevered until I met the standard.

I understand that we should persevere even more in looking inward, in order to get better and better at it. We should persist until we turn it into an immediate response, almost a reflex, that allows us, when we deviate, to correct course instantly. To me, it's like following the compass of the Fa.

If we begin by applying it to small things, when the time comes to face greater trials, we will have a greater depth of training and understanding, and we will enlighten more quickly to better assimilate to Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance). Let us remember that Master warned us:

“But it’s cultivation—whatever happened to being “free of gaps” (wu-lou)? There are no little things.” (Fa Teaching at the 2015 West Coast Fa Conference)

We will also probably be able to look deeper and deeper through the layers upon layers of attachments. Surely this is not something we can achieve overnight, but Master told us:

“Although bad thoughts still exist, I’ve said that this is the way in which we cultivate—bad thoughts are eliminated gradually. If you don’t actively suppress them and get rid of them, if you don’t have this will and aren’t determined, then you’re not cultivating. That’s the relationship.” (Teachings at the Conference in Europe)

Master also taught us:

“Being eager and impatient over success isn’t good. You should move forward vigorously and diligently in cultivation—that’s correct, but only with the Fa.” (Teachings at the Conference in Europe)

This is just my understanding at my level. Please point out anything inappropriate.