(Clearwisdom.net) I started Falun Gong cultivation practice in 1996, and would like to share some recent experiences.
One problem I discovered is that I wasn't able to look within when a tribulation came up. I tended to find shortcomings in other people, and often assumed that I was correct. While focusing on other practitioners' attachments and helping them uncover their attachments, I didn't solidly cultivate myself. I tended to judge other practitioners based on my own human notions and complain about their attachments. Many incidents happened which targeted my attachments, but I missed those opportunities to improve myself.
Another problem is that I have not been tolerant of other people's criticism. Instead, I've felt unhappy and tried to defend myself. Upon hearing strong criticism, I immediately started arguing with the person. I also haven't been able to tolerate feeling wronged. It is just like what Master said,
"Some people have become like matches--one stroke and they ignite. They're like land mines--one step and they detonate. [They are acting like,] 'You can't criticize me. I can't take any criticism.'" ("Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles")
When I met with several practitioners recently, they started to search for our attachments. I couldn't tolerate that however, and began arguing with them. In fact, I was eager to do things with human notions, and I didn't pay attention to security. For example, we went to a place that was immersed in evil many times to distribute truth-clarification materials, but were able to return home safely. Another time, however, the road was blocked, but we went ahead anyway due to our human notions and ended up being arrested.
Nonetheless, I didn't acknowledge the persecution since we could not afford any major losses at this critical time of saving sentient beings. I sent forth strong righteous thoughts to completely disintegrate the evil that persecuted me, and was released eleven days later due to apparent illness symptoms.
At that time, one practitioner said that I was selfish and unwilling to cooperate with others. I thought these words were too harsh and unfair. I knew it was not accidental for me to hear this criticism, but I still didn't search within to find my shortcomings, because I considered myself to be good-hearted, and willing to help and cooperate with others. I later realized that I received this criticism because of my negative attitude toward criticism.
Through my cultivation, I have realized that it is indeed very difficult to change human notions, let go of attachments, and maintain righteous thoughts. The cultivation path is very narrow, and practitioners have to pay attention to every word and every action. We need to walk every step with clear and rational minds, and always have faith in Master and the Fa. We must constantly look within and not allow tribulations to accumulate.
Our mission is to help Master save sentient beings. We need to maintain righteous thoughts, do the three things well, and consider saving sentient beings to be the highest priority. By steadfastly walking our path, we will be able to eliminate the old forces' arrangements. We should stop thinking with human notions, since Master has already made arrangements for us, and has allowed us to use divine powers through righteous thoughts. Master provides us with opportunities to improve and expects us to do well. We have no excuse but to walk the cultivation path well.
There are no tribulations that one cannot overcome on the journey of cultivation. Master has made the best arrangements for us.
