(Minghui.org) During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak at the beginning of 2020, my workplace got busier than usual. We had to work twice as hard since our supervisors set higher goals. In order to meet the company’s requirements I kept thinking about how I could do my job better. I began to slack off in doing the three things. I also became discouraged when I was unsuccessful in clarifying the truth to people.
I was still not diligent in cultivation at the beginning of last year. Perhaps many practitioners might have had the same experience. Even though I did well at work and was making money I felt empty and anxious because I relaxed in studying the Fa. It almost felt like it was the last day of summer vacation, but I hadn’t finished my homework. I began thinking about applying for another job that wasn’t as demanding so I would have more time to read the Fa.
Because my position at my company was in the middle there were opportunities for promotions and pay raises. To most people this seemed a dream job. I wondered if I was thinking about getting a less demanding job in order to avoid hardship.
My workplace was very complicated and there was lots of stress. Although I’ve experienced many conflicts and matured a lot in cultivation, I was still unable to make sure I had ample time to study the Fa. I started to drift away from Dafa when I focused on trying to do my job well. I began to think about my income, the positions I hold at work, and how I could be even more successful.
The tribulations started coming one after another, but I handled them like an ordinary person. Hoping to spend more time reading the teachings, I decided to apply for a less demanding job.
I had the opportunity to apply for a smaller company. Many practitioners tried to persuade me not to switch jobs since my job provided me with a stable income. However, I was clear as to which cultivation path or environment would benefit my cultivation. Everything we do will be in vain if we cannot study the Fa wholeheartedly.
I had similar experiences in the past. If I encountered a relatively big decision as long as I chose based on righteous thoughts, everything went smoothly.
Master was compassionate towards me. After I switched jobs I had more free time and was able to study the Fa with other practitioners. Not only did the new company have better benefits, but my salary also increased.
As long as we can relinquish our attachments, many things will naturally fall into place.
It is just like what Master said,
“...you will always find that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” (The Ninth talk, Zhuan Falun)
I’d like to share something wonderful that happened to me during this cultivation experience. While I considered applying for another job I was prepared to live on my savings. In the end I did not lose anything at all and I had time to study the Fa. I am grateful to Master for arranging this opportunity.
I was able to study the Fa for about two hours every day for three months. I had been anxious and felt left behind because I only comprehended Master’s Fa on the surface. By sharing with other practitioners and with their encouragement, I returned to a good cultivation state. I was clear in my mind and I was able to look inward more often. My friends said that my complexion looked better. I felt I was living to my fullest every day.
I would like to share my experiences with other young practitioners my age. Some are very diligent in cultivation while others are hindered by human notions. For example, other young practitioners know Falun Dafa is good, but some are unable to focus and study the Fa. They are almost like ordinary people, tangled by many tasks at work.
Some are busy taking care of their young children or attached to playing games on their phones. They think that cultivation is too hard. Some reprimand themselves for not being diligent and give up in cultivation because they think they have fallen too far behind.
Other young practitioners are scared because they witnessed their parents being persecuted and they wish to live a peaceful life. In reality, these aren’t their real thoughts. We have waited for billions of years to become Falun Dafa practitioners. How can we give up on Dafa so easily?!
Master often reminds us to study the Fa more often. Our human notions will gradually disappear if we focus on studying the Fa. In addition, things that we encounter in life will also naturally give way for Dafa. Even if “trouble” comes looking for us, as long as we have Dafa, look inward and rectify ourselves, we need not look for various “measures” to solve things.
Some practitioners also come up with excuses like, “I am too busy.” “I can’t focus when I am studying the Fa,” or “I need to be on my phone to relax.”
I used excuses like this in the past as well. However, after studying the Fa, I enlightened to what Master said,
“I have said that a person’s body is just like a piece of clothing, whoever wears it, that’s who is in charge; one’s mind is just like a hat, whoever dons it, that’s who takes charge. He claims that he has no time, but that statement is actually made by that karma, which prevents him from reading. It finds things to keep him busy and prevents him from remembering to read the book. This is a problem that can easily occur with Fa-study, so by all means pay attention to this.” (Teachings at the First Conference in North America)
I hope that practitioners who are busy with everyday tasks can make time to study the Fa. Don’t give up. As long as we keep up with Fa study, our cultivation state will quickly improve. Our negative thoughts will also dissipate. We need to study the Fa well in order to save people. Practitioners who attend the local group Fa study should also create a more tolerant environment and not leave any practitioners behind.
Master said that time is tight. I hope everyone can awaken to Master’s warning and be more diligent!