Thoughts on How Practitioners Can Improve in the Current Situation

(Minghui.org) I would like to discuss my thoughts on how the current lawsuit brought against Shen Yun is related to our cultivation, point out some subtle human notions I have observed, and share how we can react as practitioners. 

Master said:

“Even though the old forces are influencing this affair and want to do things their way, do you know something? All of the old-force beings respect me absolutely! (Applause) Even though they created some obstacles to my Fa-rectification, they have never done anything bad that directly targets me, because they respect me.” (Teachings Given on Lantern Festival Day, 2003)

I believe that the old forces’ real goal in filing these lawsuits is to sift out the disciples who do not genuinely practice Falun Dafa. We are the target, because Master would not allow things that are unrelated to our cultivation to take place. 

What It Means for Practitioners 

Since we are supposed to do the three things well, I’d like to look at the lawsuit from the following angles. 

The ongoing attacks on Falun Dafa by the Western media and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) agents tell us that we are lacking significantly in what is required of us in our cultivation. Some practitioners seldom talk about things related to cultivation anymore, while others feel that Fa rectification is lasting longer than they expected and have started to live like everyday people. For many, studying the Fa and doing the exercises have become a lifestyle and routine. Some veteran practitioners who seemed to be doing well in cultivation began to suffer severe illnesses. There are also those who can’t seem to remember that they are practitioners when making decisions. 

Master extended the Fa-rectification period so that we can better cultivate and improve to meet the requirements for us. Let’s not disappoint him. 

As far as clarifying the truth, of the over 7 billion people in this world, over 5 billion live outside of China. Xi Jinping has already said that the 20-year-long persecution of Falun Dafa in China has failed. The fact that the CCP is now reaching out to persecute practitioners outside of China tells us that we need to do more to clarify the truth overseas. 

This recent event involving Shen Yun is the old forces’ last ditch effort in the persecution. We must pay attention to sending righteous thoughts during this period and take this opportunity to eliminate the old forces. 

Practitioners’ Subtle Notions 

A few deeply hidden notions have come to light among practitioners since the lawsuit was filed. 

Many practitioners have dealt with this incident with human emotions. In one article I read, the author said that Master does not have his own tribulations, that all his tribulations came from him suffering for practitioners and sentient beings, and that he faced situations unimaginable to us.

It is best that we do not speak of Master’s personal situation casually, even with good intentions. We still have human notions, and our words about Master might fall into the wrong hands and cause us trouble. 

Also, many practitioners used everyday people’s logic to view social events. They came to some incorrect conclusions and thought that they had to react. For example, after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, because most of the practitioner-run media supported the former president, quite a few practitioners worried that the next administration would retaliate, and some even thought about leaving the U.S. 

We must behave like practitioners in every situation. Master uses situations like this one to make us think and expose our attachments. If we base our decisions on everyday people’s logic, it might really end badly and that would be caused by our own pursuits. 

Treating tribulations with human emotions and human reasoning comes from attachments that are often undetected and that have tricked us into thinking that our intentions are righteous. 

How to React Like a Practitioner 

When facing a problem, we should not focus on the superficial phenomena of the problem. Instead, we should figure out why it stirred up our emotions and remove that attachment. I saw the following attachments in different practitioners: 

Some believed that there would be food and energy shortages and prepared accordingly. When asked, one said, “What is wrong with stocking up on some food?” In fact, she spent a lot of time doing that instead of evaluating things based on the Fa. These practitioners made comparisons: “So and so stocked up a lot more than I did” and “So and so has gasoline, natural gas, solar panels, and firewood!” as if there were different grades of attachments. 

Some compared their current behavior to what they were like in the past (“You don’t know what I was like. I have improved a lot in cultivation”) instead of bettering themselves. 

Others treat cultivation as a lifestyle and regard Fa study, doing the exercises, and talking to people about the persecution as part of their routine. They often ignore searching within. 

When it comes to clarifying the truth, the practitioners in China have done wonders. Even though the cultural and legal practices in the U.S. are different, practitioners here can still learn from the practitioners in China. Master told us long ago that we must treat all beings with compassion when we clarify the truth. Compassion can change people’s minds and dissolve all tribulations. Problems are created so that we have the opportunity to clarify the truth to people we have not already done so.