(Clearwisdom.net)

Fa-rectification Cultivation vs. Personal Cultivation

Fa-rectification cultivation is a unique, unprecedented cultivation way that our magnificent Master has created for us. Of course such a cultivation way will not exist in the future and that is why we are so honored to be Fa-rectification period Dafa disciples. Therefore, we must look at the concept of "Fa- rectification" from an even broader perspective. It encompasses a great mission in saving sentient beings bestowed upon Dafa disciples, as well as resisting the persecution and the arrangements made by the old forces. It surpasses all cultivation methods in any given period. Yet personal cultivation is only about cultivating oneself in whatever situation one runs into. It is about looking within oneself and just simply enduring. The goal of personal cultivation is self-consummation. This cannot be compared to Fa-rectification cultivation.

Thus, as Dafa disciples, we should treasure this unique cultivation period even more so and not remain in the state of personal cultivation. To my knowledge, at present, certain practitioners have not fully understood the relationship between personal cultivation and Fa-rectification cultivation. Some veteran practitioners have not even rectified the situation in their family. They have not fundamentally changed their mindset on personal cultivation, choosing to simply endure the reprimands of family members and worse still, even endure their act of destroying Dafa books. Such practitioners did not truly look at the problem from the perspective of Fa-rectification cultivation. We cannot use any personal factors as an excuse in this Fa-rectification period. We must understand that Master and Dafa cannot be undermined by any being. We should solemnly warn those who undermine Dafa of the consequences and stop their actions with righteous thoughts.

Paying Attention to Safety and the Attachment to Fear

Flaunting the courage of an everyday person does not mean that one has no attachment to fear. Being careful does not necessarily mean that one has the attachment of fear.

In fact, as long as we are cultivators, we might very well have the attachment to fear. The difference lies in the degree of fear we have. Some practitioners are able to eliminate fear when they face a sudden situation or are in danger. This is because they have strong faith in the Fa and are able to resolve a difficult situation with righteous thoughts. However, some practitioners are completely in a human state when they encounter problems. Consequently, the evil will incessantly interfere with and undermine everything they do.

Paying attention to safety is a reflection of rationality. It is being responsible to others and to oneself. As we are still humans who are still cultivating, we should not act abnormally among everyday people, giving them the wrong impression. It is just like what Master said in Zhuan Falun:

"There was a person who was walking on the street with my book in his hand, yelling, 'I have Teacher Li's protection, so I'm not afraid of being hit by a car.'"

Isn't such a person one who has completely lost his senses?

I personally feel that paying attention to safety is the result of a Dafa disciple's steadfast cultivation and his righteous thoughts and actions manifested at the human level. This attention to safety does not come from fear. It is an attitude of being responsible towards Dafa. However, fear comes from weighing things from the perspective of an individual and the consideration of one's safety, as well as personal loss and gain. This is based on selfishness and egotism.

"Nothing will happen"?

Among practitioners, there are some who respond with: "Nothing will happen if we have righteous thoughts and actions!" when other practitioners point out that they are neglecting safety or they are not acting according to the Fa. This has seemingly become a slogan. On the surface, it gives one an optimistic feeling, but if one can think carefully, one will discover the problem that lies within. If someone is not acting in accordance with the Fa, how can he talk about righteous thoughts and actions? When fellow practitioners point out a problem, do we reflect upon our actions with righteous thoughts? Perhaps we are using this "slogan" to cover up our attachments. This will only give the evil a loophole to take advantage of.

There are several practitioners in our area who used this attitude to evade the issue when other practitioners pointed out their problem. Later on, they were sentenced to heavy imprisonment by the Communist regime. Therefore, righteous thoughts and actions are not about empty words. One has to constantly and strictly adhere to the teachings of the Fa, look within when encountering problems and firmly do the three things that Master requires of us in order to truly have righteous thoughts and act righteously.

Sending Forth Righteous Thoughts

On the Minghui website, we often read about major events taking place overseas and in China, for example: the heads of the 610 Office gather in Wuhan City for a meeting and escalate the persecution, or the Communist regime interferes with the Shen Yun performance in Hong Kong. As Dafa disciples, I think we should first of all send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil beings and factors behind these events. However, certain practitioners suggest that we should not have any thoughts about these, meaning we should ignore these events. Upon hearing these words, one might initially think that these practitioners have cultivated to a high level, that is, they are unmoved. My personal understanding is that we are not to be moved by personal gains and losses or human sentiments. However, Master wants us to have the righteous thoughts of Dafa disciples in the human world. As long as it is beneficial to fellow practitioners, to the whole body or to sentient beings, we should support practitioners dealing with these events with righteous thoughts.

Increase in Persecution Cases

Fa-rectification is in its last stage. The evil appears to be even more fanatical at the end in order to cover up its weakness. Recently, reports on the Minghui website have shown a trend of an increase in persecution cases throughout China. Just before its eminent death, the evil is still trying its best to do what it wants to do, destroying lives it regards as worthless. At the same time, this phenomenon reflects upon certain problems that exist in the cultivation state of Dafa disciples, thus giving the evil an excuse to step up the persecution. If we look at the situation from this perspective, then it appears to be ourselves that are allowing the evil to create this illusion of strength. A few years ago, Master had already taught the Fa on being even more diligent upon reaching the end of cultivation. Have we truly studied the Fa well during this limited period of time? Have we saved people with a sense of urgency? Have we truly done the three things well? The old forces have been watching us, looking for an excuse to persecute us. If we had truly acted according to what Master asked of us, then they would not have had the opportunity to put up this last ditch struggle.

We have always said that even if we have loopholes, we will not permit the old forces to persecute us. It is fine to say this, but we should not use this as an umbrella to protect our attachments. We must resolutely dig out our attachments and get rid of them, thus allowing ourselves to have fewer and fewer human notions, with our righteous thoughts becoming stronger. If we can quickly correct ourselves in this manner, the evil will destroy itself.

Due to limitations in my cultivation level, my understandings might not be correct. Please kindly point them out.