(Clearwisdom.net) I am almost 80 years old, from the rural countryside. I have a pre-destined relationship to cultivate Falun Dafa and have practiced for thirteen years. When I began practicing I couldn't read a single character, but when I first opened up the precious book, Zhuan Falun, the densely arranged characters were all glittering and resplendent, and each character was moving. I continued looking, but I couldn't read. I was so anxious that I had tears in my eyes. I said, "Characters, why can't I recognize you?" I later went to the practice site to study the Fa and practice the exercises. I just listened when others read the Fa, and I slowly began to study along with them.
The following year, Master, seeing my solid determination to practice Falun Dafa, gave me, a completely illiterate old woman, the ability to read. I was able to read this priceless book (Zhuan Falun) from beginning to end, without missing a single character, and my mind was able to absorb layer after layer of the Fa principles. What was even more miraculous is that Master also helped me to successfully write characters. From an ordinary person's perspective this was simply inconceivable. These miracles increased my determination to truly cultivate.
Every night I studied the Fa until midnight. After sending forth righteous thoughts I went to sleep. At 3:00 a.m. I arose to practice the exercises. I was carrying out my historical responsibility to truly cultivate by doing the three things well, and enlightening to the Fa principles through study.
Recently, due to gaps in my cultivation, the evil was able to interfere with me. I developed a cough and felt cold all over, but I didn't let the evil move me. I compared myself against the principles of the Fa and looked inward to see where I was lacking. I studied the Fa, sent forth righteous thoughts, and clarified the truth in order to help Master save sentient beings. I didn't omit anything that I was supposed to do and kept looking inward. All of a sudden I enlightened that I am a Fa rectification period Falun Dafa disciple, and I have come to help Master rectify the Fa. How can I let the evil interrogate me? How can I acknowledge the evil's tests? Dafa is rectifying all that is unrighteous in the cosmos. The evil is absolutely not allowed to test Falun Dafa and Falun Dafa disciples. At this moment I had a very strong thought, "I am a Falun Dafa practitioner and no one is worthy of testing me. If they persist in this behavior, let us examine them according to the standards of Dafa and see how they position themselves." I then recited the verses for sending righteous thoughts that Master gave us. In one fell swoop all of the symptoms disappeared. With Master's support, I was able break through this arrangement by the old forces to test Falun Dafa disciples.
Master said,
"Shan is the manifestation of the nature of the universe at different levels and in different dimensions. It is also the fundamental nature of Great Enlightened Beings. Therefore, a cultivator must cultivate Shan and assimilate to the nature of the universe, Zhen-Shan-Ren." ("A Brief Explanation of Shan," from Essentials for Further Advancement)
Throughout my years of cultivation I have always been kind toward my fellow practitioners, as well as all sentient beings and people in society. The more I truly look within my own heart, I enlighten that Master wants us to cultivate the goodness of compassion in order to offer salvation to more sentient beings, and through compassion dissolve every attachment and obstacle blocking us on our paths of cultivation. If a person wants to step out of the state of being human and walk the path to godhood, then he must remove all attachments, compassionately resolve all problems, look within, and develop a heart of great compassion.
In teaching the Fa Master has told us:
"Cultivation is about looking inside yourself. Whether you are right or wrong, you should examine yourself. Cultivation is about getting rid of human attachments." ("Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles," February 25, 2006)
Master has also told us,
"For a cultivator, looking within is a magical tool." ("Fa Teaching at the 2009 Washington DC International Fa Conference")
I have enlightened that looking within is a manifestation of compassion. A practitioner's compassion is benevolence which is inexhaustible.
Everyday people are often unwilling to look within during conflicts. When practitioners are able to consider the good points of others and look within to see where they fall short, the great law (Dafa) of the universe will reveal its deeper meanings and display its vast dimensions to them. This is an expression of compassion towards others, as well as oneself.
The family environment will be harmonious only when you treat all members with compassion. Many practitioners have difficulty getting along with and being tolerant of their families. They can't stand the site of family members' harmful habits. They often quarrel and criticize others, complain, and are disgusted with other peoples' behavior, etc. This is not being compassionate. Practitioners carry a certain amount of energy, and when their thoughts and speech are not compassionate, they reinforce the negative behaviors of family members. Practitioners must be considerate of their families, and they mustn't be moved by family members' unfortunate circumstances. They should not complain, have negative reactions, or be critical. They should not interfere with the lives of others. Regarding other peoples' negative habits, practitioners need to be tolerant. They can exhort others to do good. When a practitioner is truly able to be considerate of everyday people's suffering and tribulations, when he has good thoughts, compassion will fill his dimensional field, and his family members will naturally benefit.
Master said,
"Don't be bothered when people have a certain attitude or misunderstandings. When you act just to save the person, to save sentient beings, then I think the impact of that can change everything. If, however, as you clarify the truth your mind is affected by ordinary human attachments, then you won't be able to achieve anything." ("Fa Teaching Given in Manhattan," March 26, 2006)
When I clarify the truth, I firmly keep Master's teachings in mind and my heart is filled with compassion. In my explanations I try to follow along with everyday peoples' attachments. This way I am able to explain and analyze the lies that are poisoning them. I help them understand the true situation of Falun Dafa practitioners in order to help save them. Their knowing sides will then reveal themselves. I then tell them that Falun Gong is being persecuted. As long as they don't oppose the great law of the universe, they will be able to enter the future. Under these conditions, I urge them to withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party, and success is assured.
