Deeply Concealed Demon Nature

All Dafa particles are aware that this Fa-rectification period is precious for clarifying the truth in society while upgrading xinxing. In Fa-rectification work, Dafa disciples are given the chance to recognize and uproot our deeply concealed demon nature. I would like to share with you my experience.

The greatest obstacles that prevented me from sincerely assisting Teacher and fellow cultivators were the following: undertaking Fa-rectification work out of boredom and pressure - not necessarily from the bottom of my heart, fear - which took the guise of shame, hesitancy, and nervousness, and the attachment of self-validation through Fa-rectification activities. When I recognized these, I realized my insecurities and the extent to which I had surrendered to the demonic forces.

In the beginning, my contributions in Fa-rectification work did not come from the bottom of my heart. I felt pressured to do Hongfa activities because I saw that other practitioners were involved in them. I feared being isolated if I did not partake in the activities. I would also comply with any instructions from other practitioners out of pressure.

In addition, I took the initiative to do Hongfa work merely for the sake of it, out of boredom. Out of boredom, I would mope around and look for activities do to. I felt the urge to fill a void. I was attached to a pursuit. Clearly, I did not understand what Fa-rectification entailed. I only knew the word 'Fa-rectification' but not its inner connotation. In this instance, I resembled the particular group of people mentioned in Teacher's dialogue with Time:

Divine Being: "...some have come to study the Fa because they cannot find their goals in life; they are attached to these notions which they are unwilling to change."

Teacher: "There are more such people among new practitioners."

I now recognize that these acts are a disgrace to Dafa. I discovered that the void feeling and/or loneliness came from the lack of understanding of the Fa at a deeper level. As I increased my study of Zhuan Falun, I gradually continued to attain the Fa at a greater depth, and "eureka!" [exclamation by North American gold miners when they discovered gold]I realized that I found the innermost source that my soul thirsted after. Teacher said that the Fa takes different forms at different levels. The Fa is so pure and sacred that nobody is worthy of tarnishing It. Every thought, every word, every act of ours should come from the pureness of heart and mind.

I have been cultivating for ten months. But it is not necessarily the passage of time that determines a person's understanding of the Fa. It is the improvement of the heart and mind nature that determines one's level - whether it occurs within a short or long period of time. I am always learning the essence of cultivation - letting go of self-interests in different situations at different levels. I am reminded by Teacher's words that in order to continue upgrading xinxing, or "to ascend further, the standard must be raised as well." I found that the tests and tribulations became increasingly challenging as I learned to recognize and eliminate old notions at particular levels. At times, I am not even aware of some aspects of my demon nature. Teacher always has a way of hinting at those.

Once I was involved in Fa-rectification work at my university during a two-day orientation event for prospective students. During the second day of this activity, our Falun Dafa sign went missing (the demons were menacing through everyday people) and university students from other club booths kept eyeing us with suspicion. I felt really uneasy. Again, my fear surfaced and I declined to address it - the notion of pride and submission to demon nature. Interestingly, two men came by our booth with a video camera and malicious intentions. They both asked provoking questions that seemed to mock the Fa, while recording another practitioner and me on video. The men noted the svastikam symbol and made comments based upon their misunderstanding while they drew attention from the crowd. My heart moved and I was ready to defend Falun Dafa. My heart moved out of fear and shame. I now realized that I did not truly validate the Fa out of purity, but I validated myself instead. I was afraid of the crowd's reaction - their judgment towards me. I was selfish. In addition, it occurred to me that I had certain insecurities. I had always lacked confidence in public speaking, and I was extremely camera shy. I was fearful and nervous because I was too self-absorbed, too concerned about my image. Ironically, I am grateful that the demonic interference gave me the chance to recognize and eventually to uproot my impure notions. I now constantly remind myself with the question, "How can I effectively and purely clarify the truth with warped notions - nervousness, shame and fear...isn't that an act of validating evil?" Also, we must remember not to allow everyday people to slander the Fa because it harms them.

After gaining more experience in Hongfa activities, I desired to do more. That desire itself took the impure guise of attachment. Recently, I've observed that the desire to increase my load in Fa-rectification work was rooted in self-validation. After discovering that I had the communication skills for spreading Dafa, I sought to promote myself through Fa-rectification work. What an evil thought! Fellow cultivators, please be aware of this. The following are Teacher's words that help me to stay within the 'middle way':

"Cultivation practice is magnificent and solemn. Whether you can give up your particular human mindset is a major test that you will have difficulty passing, yet you must pass....you must give up this attachment since you can never complete cultivation without abandoning such a mindset.."

Through my experiences, I also learned "...cherishing your human side enables you to ascend in your understanding of the Fa..." Teacher mentioned that without demonic interference, Dafa disciples would not be able to upgrade xinxing. Through Teacher's words, I remind myself that cultivation is not difficult; it is the strong attachments that cause the illusory perception that a certain tribulation or test is impossible to endure. It allows us to stray away from the 'middle path.' One can make it as long as the heart and mind are fully determined to 'return home.' Like Teacher said, how can one transform karma through living a comfortable, pain-free life? It's a joke, isn't it? Everyday people seek comfort, but we are cultivators. "We seek what everyday people don't want..." As we know, this Fa-rectification period is vital for a cultivator's path towards Consummation. As we forge ahead in clarifying the truth and eliminating the evil, we must remember, "Dafa is harmonizing all sentient beings, and all sentient beings are also harmonizing Dafa." Lastly, "Maintaining Dafa's tradition, upholding Dafa's cultivation principles, and persevering in genuine cultivation are long term tests for every Dafa disciple."

Please offer any feedback and concerns with regards to the content of this article - we are all helping one another in cultivation.