(Clearwisdom.net)

I came across these passages while reading Master's lecture today:

"You can expose the wicked CCP in your media efforts, but it should be done for the purpose of clearing things up for sentient beings so that they may be saved. Today's meeting is for Dafa disciples around the world who work with NTDTV. Most of you present here are thus involved in media work, and in some cases you assume multiple roles. As Dafa disciples who run media outlets, your thinking in regard to what you are doing needs to be clear." ("Fa Teaching Given at the NTDTV Meeting" June 6, 2009)

"The moment you lose your sense of calm, that's when you are apt to go awry. At critical moments you need to remember that you do this work to save sentient beings." ("Fa Teaching Given at the NTDTV Meeting")

I suddenly recalled that when I watched NTDTV programs such as "Interpreting Mainland Chinese News," although I watched as a Dafa disciple, I did not see it from the perspective that they are done "for the purpose of clearing things up for sentient beings so that they may be saved." Instead, I thought, "NTDTV is great! It's showing the Chinese Communist Party exactly as it really is."

I always feel that watching it is a cathartic experience. Similarly, when I watch a video clip that introduces Shen Yun Performing Arts, I think, "This is wonderful. The producers are able to capture the essence, the beauty, and the grace of the performance in such a short video clip! I'm sure everyone who sees this will think Falun Dafa practitioners are great artists." However, I did not associate it with offering sentient beings salvation. I thought it was good because it conformed to my notions, not because it lived up to Dafa's principles in terms of rescuing sentient beings. Even though I was unaware, because my thoughts were self-based, while I appreciated these programs, my thoughts were based on these notions.

Although I knew from the teachings of Fa principles that I was rescuing sentient beings, selfish motives took over when I was doing things. I would get upset if I didn't do Dafa work, and I would relax if I did, but I did not consistently think of it as rescuing sentient beings; neither did I see saving souls as an urgent matter.

Something else also struck a deep chord with me. In an article written by a fellow practitioner published on the Minghui website, I read: "I saw a heartwarming scene backstage. Before the first program of Shen Yun began, all the performers would recite Lunyu together behind the curtain, and then they would put their hands together and say, 'Assist Master in rectifying the Fa; rescue sentient beings.' Isn't this the same scene when Dafa practitioners made their sacred vows in heaven?"

I was profoundly moved. Master is directly giving instructions regarding Shen Yun, and, in my opinion, the pure thoughts, powerful righteous thoughts, and the clear purpose [of the show] before the curtain goes up, play an incredible role! It has a lot to do with why the performers are able to do so well on stage. This selfless goal and pure thoughts are the main thread throughout the performance. The dancers' every move and look is contributing to rescuing sentient beings and fulfilling the performers' vows! This is why they are able to do such a spectacular job, just as Master expects, and leave people completely awestruck!

I also know that when I am doing things to validate Dafa, my starting point is sometimes impure. Perhaps it's because of my habit of doing things; perhaps I'm trying to validate myself; or perhaps I think this is what Dafa practitioners are supposed to do. The resulting effect in rescuing sentient beings is ineffective.

Before we do things to rescue sentient beings, shouldn't we do something similar to Shen Yun performers before the show begins? At least we should know that our purpose is to rescue sentient beings and not leave space for hidden self-validation and human concepts, so that the things we do are actually pure rescue efforts for sentient beings and truly serve to fulfill Dafa disciples' mission.