Fortunately Obtaining Dafa, Cultivating, and Elevating Amid Conflicts

(Minghui.org) Respected Master, greetings! Fellow practitioners, greetings!

I began practicing Falun Dafa in 2007. I was an atheist before I began practicing, and I deeply feel the happiness and glory of being elevated in the Fa during my 18 years of steadfast cultivation. Obtaining Dafa enabled me to continuously elevate myself amid the complexities of ordinary life and various conflicts of interest. I would like to share some of my experiences in cultivating myself in my family and work environments.

Strictly Disciplining Myself at Work

I work at a fine-dining restaurant. It’s very successful, and the requirements for employees are quite strict. I have opportunities to cultivate and improve myself every day. I discovered that working in an environment of everyday people requires constant vigilance in order to transcend this big dye vat.

One day soon after I began working there, I noticed a coworker was handling a large number of takeout orders. He was extremely busy, so I went to help him. To my surprise, he yelled at me loudly, “Find someone who can pack! Call the manager over!” I was trying to help him, but he shouted at me. The scene was awkward, and I felt wronged. What had I done wrong to offend him? I decided to find an opportunity to talk to him and avoid any misunderstandings. The next day, I mustered up the courage to ask him why he was so angry with me. He explained that it was because I hadn’t been there long and he was afraid I wouldn’t be familiar with the work, and might cause trouble by packing the wrong items. It turned out he meant well and he wasn’t targeting me.

However, that evening, when I looked inward, I discovered my own impure thoughts. When I wanted to help him, I actually disapproved of what he was doing and thought it wasn’t good enough. This discovery surprised me. But, in cultivation nothing was accidental; it was my own impure thoughts that caused his unfriendly attitude.

Going Beyond Ordinary Standards to Cultivate Myself

A new coworker seemed sullen, and was absent-minded and lazy, so the others criticized her. When there were many customers and everyone was busy, it was my turn to handle orders, and this new worker was preparing the dishes. I said twice, “The food is ready, you can go,” but she didn’t move. The customers were getting impatient, and I was anxious, so I had to serve the dishes myself. I complained about her. She was defiant and argued with me.

I knew this was a test, but I still couldn’t control myself. We argued, and when the manager came over, I angrily complained about her. Coincidentally, the regional manager responsible for several restaurants was there that day and told her not to come in the next day. I immediately felt guilty—my complaining cost her her job, even though the others said it wasn’t my fault, but rather due to her own poor performance. After calming down, I regretted it. Even though she was wrong, wasn’t I behaving like an ordinary person?

I called her and I apologized. I hadn’t considered her feelings or understood her situation. Every sentient being came here to be saved, and I will be more strict with myself in the future.

Suffering Is a Good Thing

A coworker often complained to me about the gossip surrounding the manager and the other coworkers, saying things like, “Why do you always have to cut chili peppers? It’s so hard and tiring. You have such a good image; it would be better if you stood at the front.” I thought these were all tests to see if I was swayed by gossip, and whether I was moved by human attachments.

I demanded of myself not to be like everyday people. When I come to work, I do my job well. I even do the dirty and tiring work that the others aren’t willing to do. I am not afraid of hardship; I silently contribute and do it well. I don’t mind taking on more work, nor do I worry about the money I spend on snacks for my coworkers. Even though I work hard, my manager occasionally checks to see if I’m slacking off. I don’t mind; I just do my job well.

The ability to endure and bear hardship is a manifestation of Buddha-nature. Everyday people don’t understand that enduring hardship is a good thing. I am grateful to Master for arranging such a good cultivation environment for me. To be able to cultivate in such a complex environment is truly the best. My manager and coworkers initially didn’t understand or trust me, but now they see the difference in a Dafa cultivator, and they have begun to admire me. I think we are like particles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and we are purifying the environment.

I often marvel at how fortunate I am to be the only one in a company of four or five hundred people to have obtained this once-in-a-millennium Dafa. I will always strictly demand of myself to improve according to the standards of a cultivator, and through my words and deeds, let all beings see the glory of Dafa, and I will spread the truth of Dafa to more people.

Cultivating Away Ego in Small Matters

The mortgage on our house was paid off, and we needed a lawyer’s signature, but the seemingly small matter of scheduling an appointment was fraught with difficulties, and tested my xinxing. I felt that such a small matter as signing was not worth taking time off from work, and that I should find a time to sign, but my husband, the lawyer, and I could never coordinate our schedules, and it was repeatedly canceled and changed. I asked my manager for leave time and time again, which made me feel embarrassed. It was actually a simple matter on the surface, but it was repeatedly testing my heart, yet I didn’t understand. When the lawyer canceled the appointment again, I got angry. The lawyer was also anxious. It was such a small matter, and the time had been repeatedly changed.

In my frustration, I looked inward and realized that I hadn’t let go of my concern for face and my attachment to personal gains. If the time didn’t work out, I could take unpaid leave. Why always prioritize my own convenience? Finally, I truly let go and accepted whatever time the lawyer set.

As a result, after letting go of my attachment, things miraculously took a turn for the better. The lawyer finally set a time that suited everyone perfectly, and the manager was very accommodating, proactively rearranging my work schedule.

I realized that many seemingly difficult things, as long as I let go of my attachments and improve my xinxing, will go well. Master will arrange everything well.

Eliminating Years of Resentment and Learning to Understand My Husband

My husband and I have been married for over 30 years, and our personalities are somewhat incompatible. I’m introverted and shy, and I usually speak softly and gently, disliking arguments. My husband, on the other hand, has a completely different personality. He always speaks loudly, which is very unpleasant to listen to. Furthermore, we have different interests and hobbies. He enjoys socializing, karaoke, and lively business dinners, and frequently smokes and drinks. When he drinks too much, he becomes unruly and disorderly. I’m very unhappy with this, as I feel that at his age, he should quit these unhealthy habits! But it’s very difficult to persuade him to change. Over time, I developed some resentment towards him and became reluctant to talk to him. Although I tried to let go of my resentment, I couldn’t.

When I attended the Taiwan Fa Conference, and I heard a practitioner share her experience of letting go of resentment towards her husband, and I cried. It felt like a sudden awakening. My resentment vanished instantly, and I was able to understand my husband from a different perspective. The practitioner’s husband was very violent when drunk, even holding a knife to her neck and threatening her not to practice Falun Dafa. She was ultimately able to let go of her resentment and take good care of him.

Thinking about my own husband, I actually have a lot to thank him for. Before, I was surrounded by resentment and attachment, unaware of his sacrifices, and failing to understand him.

Because of my husband, I was able to come to Singapore and have the opportunity to obtain the Fa. My husband drinks during work-related socializing, and also because he works hard for the family. Moreover, his drunken antics take a toll on his health, but he has never taken his anger out on me or the children. Although he doesn’t practice Falun Dafa, he is very supportive of my practice, and even places incense and fruit in front of Master's portrait. Furthermore, he takes on almost all the big and small responsibilities at home, such as mortgage payments, financial management, cooking, and cleaning, allowing me to work and cultivate with peace of mind.

These are things I hadn’t appreciated before, but now I have no complaints and I’m filled with gratitude. Because of my change in mindset, my husband has also come to appreciate the goodness of Dafa’s teachings on being a good person.

My Extraordinary Experiences During the Taiwan Character Formation

Although work is demanding, and getting leave is difficult, I was very excited when I heard about the Taiwan character formation activity. I had participated in character formation activities in Indonesia and Bali, but they were relatively small-scale. A large-scale character formation like the one in Taiwan was a rare opportunity. After making up my mind, getting leave was very easy. I realized that when we do things to validate Dafa, we are truly in control.

This year’s theme for the character formation was the Falun symbols and the four characters “Fa Lun Chang Zhuan” [Falun Rotating Endlessly]. It was very hot that day. Local practitioners arrived early, wearing thick clothing, then endured hours of the scorching sun, which I deeply admired. Singaporean practitioners were the last to enter. I was positioned in the “Zhuan”[Rotating] section of “Fa Lun Chang Zhuan.” Everything was arranged perfectly; the sacred feeling and scene were indescribable. Upon entering, the staff told me that the spot in front of me was my designated spot. I was deeply moved that I had a place in such a sacred Dafa symbol, and I was grateful to our compassionate Master. In fact, each of us is a particle of Dafa, and our positions have already been predetermined.

After the formation was complete, over 5,000 people recited Lunyu in unison and sent forth righteous thoughts together, creating a powerful and moving atmosphere. A gentle breeze blew, and I didn’t feel hot or tired. After the formation, during the intensive exercises, something miraculous happened. While practicing the fifth exercise, my hands became extremely hot, and I felt a strong flow of energy in my palms, as if the Falun was spinning. I knew this was Master encouraging me.

After the event, xinxing tests followed right away. Practitioners who agreed to meet got separated. We couldn’t find one another, phones didn’t connect, and we had to hurry back to change hotels. The hotel-change process was also difficult. One problem led to another, and everyone was exhausted, hot, and anxious. Human attachments arose, and dissatisfaction and complaints filled the air.

One practitioner complained that she clearly saw me in the square, but I ignored her. In truth, I really hadn’t seen her. Another practitioner seemed somewhat dissatisfied with me. To ease the tension, I initiated a conversation, but she responded very loudly, her tone quite fierce, which made me feel wronged. I thought these conflicts were meant to help me improve, as conflicts are a good thing, without which we can’t improve. Afterwards, I realized that human sentiment among fellow practitioners is also part of what we need to cultivate.

Conclusion

If I hadn’t practiced, I truly might not have survived to this day. I grew up in poverty in a family that favored sons over daughters. I didn’t have the opportunity to receive much education and had to start working at a young age—I endured much hardship. Moreover, because of my introverted personality, I often sulked and was unhappy. After I began cultivating, I became more open-minded about everything.

At work especially, I feel more and more how wonderful and precious it is to be a cultivator. Being an everyday person is truly so bitter — scheming against one another, fussing over petty gains, and quarreling endlessly over small matters. There is simply no comparison with cultivators.

I often think, “This is such a wonderful Fa — how did I receive such great predestined fortune? To share the honor of being with Master, I feel I can let go of everything else.”

The above is my cultivation experience. If anything is not in line with the Fa, please compassionately point it out.

Thank you, Master. Thank you, fellow practitioners.

(Presented at the 2025 Singapore Fa Conference)