(Clearwisdom.net)
Master said,
"It is true that in the past I've said that the time left for Fa-rectification was not that long, quite short in fact. I had really hoped that you would quickly mature and grow rational, thus allowing this affair to be concluded in a short time. If Dafa disciples cannot all be rational and mature, and instead often act with a human frame of mind--and one that manifests so strongly, at that--how could this affair be concluded? How could one say that Dafa disciples have completed their cultivation?" ("Fa Teaching at the 2009 Washington CD International Fa Conference")
I can feel Master's mighty compassion, that he does not want to leave any practitioners behind. I also understand that the time for Fa-rectification is limited. No matter how well they do, those practitioners who walk ahead of others are only shining as individual particles. If every particle does what each of us should do, we can form a solid entity. It is my understanding that this is what Master wants, and it is Master's requirement of us in this Fa-rectification era as well.
I would like to share my personal experience of how I helped some practitioners in my area. I hope that my article will help those practitioners who are doing the three things well to pay attention to the practitioners around them. We should remind each other and move forward diligently together.
Recently, a new employee, Xiao Fei, joined my work unit. She obtained the Fa in 1996, but she had not been very diligent. Before coming here, according to her, she was fond of eating rich food, wearing fancy clothes, and indulging in entertainment and comfort.
In addition, Xiao Fei was also the "queen of a hundred styles." She liked to change her hair color and hairstyles, as well as her handbags, and apparel. She always made sure that they matched. It seemed that she had plenty of time every day to go shopping with friends; sometimes she would even shop for half a day. She could never get tired of that. After inquiring, I found that several of her close friends had not withdrawn from the CCP yet. I was very worried. I decided to use lunch time to study the Fa with her. At first, she did not want to read out loud, fearing that someone would suddenly enter our room and find out what we were doing. Because of this, she could not sit still and read in peace.
Master said,
"Clarifying the facts at this point in time very much requires manpower, and if sentient beings are to be saved, it will take participation from more people. More people need to be involved in the variety of projects that aim to snuff out the evil's persecution. In this light, then, a great deal of strength is lost when there is one less person, and a great deal of strength is gained when there is one more set of hands." ("Fa Teaching Given in Manhattan," 2006 in New York)
I deeply understood that to wake up a practitioner means that a large number of sentient beings will be saved, and furthermore, a large amount of celestial bodies will be rectified. By waking her up, I would also help her break through what the old forces had arranged for her, so as to enhance the strength of our group effort. Thus, my forbearance and compassion expanded.
I began to share with her fellow practitioners' cultivation stories, as well stories from ancient times. I told her the stories of fellow practitioners in our area as well as my own experiences. Almost every day, we would discuss things based on the Fa. It seemed that she had tons of questions. Patiently, I explained things based on the Fa principles. First, I pointed out to her those parts of the Fa that talked about Fa-rectification, and then I told her my personal understanding and enlightenment in this regard. I did my best to lead her towards the righteous way so that we could move forward together in the right direction.
During the process, I noticed that I could endure more and had become more patient as well. It seemed that I did not lose my temper anymore. Gradually, Xiao Fei began to change. She no longer went shopping so often as before, and instead she would sit down and study the Fa with me. Hence, we started to study the Fa every day.
After that, I began to tell her about the requirements of Fa-rectification, and the three things that every Fa-rectification Dafa disciple needs to do. We should not worry only about ourselves, but be concerned about sentient beings because they are in danger. I brought her Dafa materials, and we discussed the articles from the Minghui website. Quickly, she caught up and from then on we went out to distribute Dafa materials, put up posters and clarify the truth to people in person. We often changed our topics to discuss, but we mainly shared our experiences in doing the three things, and the areas that we did not do well. She commented once, "I have wasted so much time, and have not studied the Fa well. I have not even offered salvation to my family and friends. Even though occasionally I did mention Falun Gong to people, I dared not mention withdrawing from the CCP, because I was afraid that they would misunderstand and think that I was involved in politics. I now realize that I did not really understand Dafa back then. I feel very regretful now."
As time went on, Xiao Fei learned how to look inside herself and she often talked about her attachments. She also wanted to let go of her attachments and improve in cultivation. However, sometimes she could not do things well, and sometimes she was unable to endure, and considered ordinary human beings' miseries were her miseries. Sometimes she failed to regard difficulties as tests in her cultivation, and at those times she became troubled and felt hopeless. I talked to her and encouraged her. I shared my personal experience in the past and how miserable I felt when I failed to pass tests well. I told her that it was a process of improving ourselves so that we could become stronger in our determination and be more understanding. The changes were taking place inside us and we just needed some time for them to become more apparent to us. I encouraged her to read Master's, "Teaching the Fa at the Fa Conference in Australia" (1999) more often. After that, Xiao Fei could find some of her shortcomings almost every day, and she moved up quickly. She was like a happy little angel with a shining smile on her face all the time.
Now, Xiao Fei can do Dafa work on her own. She frequently shows me the lists of people who have withdrawn from the CCP. She often carries a beautiful bag filled with Dafa materials and walks around the neighborhood. She still likes to dress beautifully but is no longer attached to her clothing. Her elegant face always has a splendid smile, and she studies the Fa diligently. She has immersed herself in the Fa and constantly moves forward with big strides. The old "queen of a hundred changes" has changed into an entirely different person. She is now even helping the practitioners in her area to become more diligent. The power of our entire group has been strengthened in this way.
In the meantime, I also found another small change. Whenever we share our understanding of the Fa from the standpoint of the Fa, our thoughts and minds are quick and clear, and there is nothing to block our thoughts; the principles of the Fa are clearly revealed in our minds. The parts of the Fa that we normally did not understand fully before would also be suddenly presented to us, and our wisdom widened. We would get more ideas to help us do the "three things" better. Hence, we could intensify our efforts in saving sentient beings, because our righteous thoughts have intensified and our power has been enhanced.
In helping fellow practitioners to become more diligent, I also need to eliminate my own problems of impatience, blaming others if they do not agree with me, and not being very compassionate with fellow practitioners. My ability to endure was raised. I have become more accepting and understanding. I know why fellow practitioners feel miserable after trying very hard but still failing some tests. I did not blame her; instead, I often encouraged her and shared with her my personal experience. In doing so, our hearts are connected with no blocks between us. Master has arranged for us such a magnificent kind of relationship. We have established a divine relationship in Dafa.
From this incident, I deeply understood what Master said,
"...we will also install in your body many energy systems and mechanisms that will, together with Falun, rotate and transform you automatically. Therefore, this gong transforms people all automatically. Thus, it becomes that 'the gong cultivates practitioners,' which is also called 'the Fa cultivates practitioners.' " (Zhuan Falun)
The mechanisms have been planted in our bodies. As long as we follow Master's requirements and can truly meet Master's expectations of us, we will be enlightened by the Fa. What happens to us in other dimensions will be even more magnificent.
Written on November 23, 2009
