(Clearwisdom.net) For a long time I was not very strict with myself. I thought that studying the principles of the Fa, sending forth righteous thoughts, doing the exercises and distributing truth-clarifying materials would satisfy doing the three things. I did not consider what is expected of an enlightened being in the new universe and did not use Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance as the required standard. After reading some articles on Minghui I began to realize that I was one of the people spoken about in the book, Zhuan Falun,
"people will forever crawl within the boundary delimited by their own ignorance."
I have cultivated for over ten years. Why is it that I still follow conventional ways?
Through further study of Dafa principles and looking within myself, I noticed that I was just following the required format. It was my ordinary self trying to learn and not my real self. Although years had gone by, I did not really understand the principles. Master hinted to us many times in Zhuan Falun,
"a person's inability to always treat himself as a practitioner. "
"this person still behaves as usual"
We must let go of ordinary ways and change from personal cultivation to Fa-rectification cultivation. We must let go of our normal ways, because as Master said in Zhuan Falun,
"From an everyday person's level, perspective, and frame of mind, one cannot understand real things."
True principles cannot be shown to an ordinary person. Hence, by conducting oneself as an ordinary person one cannot understand the true principles. This is a major block to our progress.
After applying Dafa principles to analyze "this person still behaves as usual," I understood that I had been conducting myself as an ordinary person in my lifestyle, in thinking and in dealing with daily problems.
Human notions form the central core of a false self. This was a major block to my advancement and I had wasted a lot of time trying to cultivate this way. For example, when I was studying the Dafa principles, I was looking for benefits from reading the Fa. Obviously, no truth can be revealed to me. When I was sending forth righteous thoughts, many other thoughts were mixed in with them. They did not have much power. This is the reason why Teacher asked us to clear our minds before sending forth righteous thoughts. Similarly, Teacher asked us to keep "Body and Spirit Together" and apply "Action Following Mechanism" while doing the exercises. This is possible only with a quiet mind. Also, when we try to explain the facts about Dafa to people, our false self (a collection of human notions) has no ability to demonstrate the power of compassion needed to dissolve the evil spirits in other dimensions. This is why the action by a false self to save sentient beings is not effective.
After I applied Dafa principles to analyze my false self, I found him to be someone who likes to argue and look outward for solutions to problems. To eliminate him I need to be serious in studying Dafa principles and increasing the power of sending forth righteous thoughts. Gradually, I see the difference between my real and false self. At this point when I look at fellow practitioners, ordinary people, or an event, I remain calm and unaffected by appearance. It is this state of mind that allows righteous thoughts and rational thinking to take place.
After this change, I usually feel my body full of energy. My real self and main consciousness become dominant. Before I study Dafa principles I send forth righteous thoughts, leading to my body being surrounded by energy. My real self and bodies in other dimensions are studying the principles together. I seem to understand the meaning of "the Fa cultivates practitioners."
When I send forth righteous thoughts, my main consciousness is very focused, my palm is erect, and very strong gong goes out to eliminate the evil. When I perform the exercises, my body is surrounded by energy. It is natural that my body and spirit are together and my movements follow the mechanisms. The secret of having mechanisms moving the cultivator becomes clear.
The above is the understanding I acquired in my cultivation. Please point out anything that is improper.
