Cultivating Xinxing While Driving an Electric Car to Work

(Clearwisdom.net) It takes me about a half hour to drive my electric car to work. Because there is so much traffic during the rush hour, sudden stops and other precarious situations often arise. These are stressful but not usually dangerous, and as a cultivator I should look inward. Gradually, I have discovered attachments that should be eliminated.

I have driven an electric car to work for about two years. Once, another car stopped by the sidewalk at the turn. After I turned the corner around the car, it also moved forward. Suddenly, I felt my rear wheel being hit and turned my head to glare at the driver. When I arrived at the next intersection, the car stopped and the driver shouted to me: "Get out!" I couldn't think. I got out and took a look at his car. The driver said, "You hit my car." I saw a thin scratch on his car. However, I argued with him and went over what had happened and verified that it was his vehicle that had hit mine. The driver would not admit it, but because I was anxious to get to work, I got into my car and left. However, on the entire ride to work, my mind went over and over this event. During our encounter, we each quarreled with the other. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and I forgot that I was a cultivator. I also identified additional behaviors. When someone drove too fast and nearly hit me, I would always get angry and even wanted to fight with the person. Sometimes, I berated them under my breath or in my heart.

One day, I realized that my anger was not appropriate and that berating someone was even worse. Master cited several examples of practitioners involved in collisions in Zhuan Falun. After the practitioners were hit, not only they did not abuse others, but they stated "I'm alright, you can go now." They demonstrated full consideration for others. Although I was not hit, I still abused them in my heart. My xinxing was far from what it should be. From then on, I made a decision to give up this attachment and did not abuse others when I encountered these situations. However, there were times when I was still not happy, which meant that I did not completely eliminate the attachment.

Another time, I drove my car too fast because no one else was on the road. Unexpectedly, another car approached me quickly from behind and spun in front of my car. It was too late for me to avoid the car, so I had to make a quick turn. The pavement had loose gravel on it, and my car began to slide.

This near-accident made me quite upset. I turned around to look at the driver, but before I said a word, the scene of the old woman who was hit in Zhuan Falun appeared in my mind. This placed me in a calm mood, but I still felt that I had not made enough effort to pass the test well. I placed my hands on the car for support, and left.

Master said in Zhuan Falun:

"While karma is being transformed, if we're going to handle it well and not make a mess of things like ordinary people, we need to always have a compassionate heart and calm mind. Then when you suddenly run into some problem you'll be able to handle it well. If your mind is always that peaceful and compassionate, when problems suddenly come up, you'll usually have a buffer and room to think it over."

Having experienced these tribulations, I felt different when I read this part of the Fa. I should place myself in others' positions and be considerate. How do I keep a peaceful mind? How do I maintain a buffer? I always drove to work quickly and kept a tight driving schedule. If I were delayed even a little, I would be late, so I needed to drive fast. When everyone drives fast and no one gives way, it becomes difficult to keep to a travel schedule. Therefore, only then we drive respectfully and slow down will it be safe. I made a decision to leave for work ten to fifteen minutes earlier. Once I started to drive a little bit more slowly, I realized the "calm mind" that Master indicated. This felt truly different and quite good. Occasionally when I encountered difficult situations, I was not moved.

Nothing happens by accident. As cultivators, upgrading our xinxing is our first task. Fame and fortune in this world are what we need to give up. Recalling my first accident, at that time I was afraid that the driver would blackmail me, so I did my best to shirk my responsibility. Now I think that no matter who is to blame, we should console the side who has lost with good intentions. Giving money to the victim is appropriate. The fear of losing money is a refusal to upgrade xinxing but this loss is an opportunity to repay a karmic debt (except for interference from the old forces). When my mind is in a good state and my awareness expands, I find that many cars give me the right-of-way. Every time this happens, I thank them from the bottom of my heart and bless them.