(Minghui.org) Taiwan has recently been hit with an uptick of positive cases of the Covid-19 virus, also known as the CCP virus (named after the Chinese Communist Party due to its cover-up and misinformation of the initial outbreak that resulted in the global pandemic). Many of the practitioners that I know are showing symptoms of Covid such as fever and cough. I’d like to share my understanding regarding this.
I was memorizing Zhuan Falun recently, and came to a deeper understanding of the following Fa teachings:
“We believe that one thought can determine the outcome of things, for better or for worse.” (The Fourth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
The elderly woman mentioned in Zhuan Falun was hit by a car and dragged for more than ten meters, but her skin was not even scratched. My understanding is that she didn’t have the notion that she would be hurt, so she didn’t get hurt at all.
Facing Covid, we should not entertain the notion that we will be infected. As soon as the fear of infection emerges, we may exhibit the symptoms of the disease, which I believe are meant for us to remove our fear.
Master warned us:
“Any Dafa disciples who have not been diligent, or who are prone to acting in extreme ways, should immediately straighten themselves out, and sincerely study the Fa and work on themselves, for you are at great risk. True Dafa disciples have higher energy and are able to destroy karma and germs; they are emissaries of salvation in these latter days, and bring their wisdom to bear upon saving people as they share truthful information related to our practice.” (“Stay Rational”)
Then, what is being diligent in cultivation? Master made it very clear to us:
“Being diligent means that he is able to watch his words and actions closely every moment, pay close attention to his thoughts, and is able to be strict with himself, and is usually able to conduct himself strictly. That describes someone who is diligent in cultivation.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Fa Conference at the U.S. Capital,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume VII)
I believe that the Fa’s requirements of us are getting higher. When many practitioners have the symptoms of the virus, we should look inward to see if there is something we have not done well in our cultivation or we’ve mistaken doing Dafa-related things for genuine cultivation.
We might start from examining the most basic things in cultivation, such as whether we are doing the exercises daily or skipping the exercises due to our pursuit of comfort; whether we study the Fa or send forth righteous thoughts with focused attention or are just going through the motions.
When I saw many practitioners coughing, having a fever, or staying at home for quarantine after testing positive for the virus, I had a quick thought whether I would get infected too. Later I realized that as a cultivator, we must cultivate every single thought. If we have fear of being infected, we would have dropped down to the level of ordinary people regarding this specific matter. But if we view this matter as an opportunity to elevate ourselves and cultivate off the notion of being infected, we will make improvement in cultivation.
If we view the symptoms of the virus as a simple sickness karma elimination process and passively endure it, I believe we would miss a precious opportunity to seriously examine our cultivation.
Master told us:
“True Dafa disciples have higher energy and are able to destroy karma and germs...” (“Stay Rational”)
Since we have higher energy to eliminate karma and germs, we should have the ability to protect ourselves from virus infection. If we are infected, it means that we have not reached the standard of Dafa disciples. We should work harder on our cultivation and face our problems more seriously.
Dafa practitioners are emissaries of salvation in the latter days. Only when we cultivate ourselves well, can we save more sentient beings and accomplish our mission well.
Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare with one another in study, in cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)