(Minghui.org) I would like to share a story that happened six years ago, when I had to move to a new place. I chose the most affordable vinyl flooring in order to save on expenses. Yet the cheap vinyl floor reeked of chemicals. It was mid-winter at the time, so I couldn't leave my windows open for a long time. I soon started to feel sick from the odor, as well as dizzy and nauseated, and lost my appetite. I soon lost more than ten pounds, and looked ill and emaciated. I felt so weak that I could hardly stand up straight. My heart rate increased, I had shortness of breath, and had to frequently rest when walking.
I knew something was wrong. This was not the health condition of a cultivator. What happened to the healthy, energetic me? Teacher would never make such an arrangement. I must have developed a loophole.
Immersed in Ordinary People Affairs
I had spent a lot of my time doing chores. I kept washing quilt covers and cleaning pots and pans, and kept thinking about the endless household chores and buying wedding presents for my son's upcoming marriage. In short, I was so preoccupied with these mundane things that I had slacked off in practicing the Falun Gong exercises and studying the teachings. I had become an ordinary person.
Teacher said,
“As soon as your thinking aligns with a particular type of being, it will be able to instantly exert an effect on you. Yet you won’t be aware of where your thoughts are originating from, and will still think that it is your own will. But in fact, it was precisely your attachments that resulted in those things having an effect on you, and that led to their strengthening your attachments.” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference”)
When I was attached to living my life as an ordinary person, I would become an ordinary person and slack off in my cultivation. I selfishly wanted to live a comfortable life and forgot about my cultivation. I realized that if I didn't do something about it, I would have wasted my opportunity to cultivate. I knew I should follow Teacher's teachings and become a completely selfless and altruistic enlightened being.
I started spending more time practicing the exercises, reading the teachings of Falun Dafa, and sending forth righteous thoughts. I was determined to completely eradicate everything arranged by the old forces. I also found more time to clarify the truth about Falun Gong. Meanwhile, I let go of my attachments to my son's wedding arrangements and to an immaculately clean household. I was determined to make up for the lost time.
I visited my parents' home, and they were shocked to see my sickly health condition. They urged me to seek medical treatment immediately.
Feeling Remorse for Slacking Off Falun Gong Practice
I felt ashamed of sabotaging Falun Gong's good reputation, and knew that I must rectify the situation.
I told my family, “I don't have time to explain in detail. All I can ask from you is to leave my health to me. I know perfectly well the root cause. I will be fine in a few days. I have slacked off practicing the Falun Gong exercises and studying the teachings. I assure you that I will be fine in a few days!”
But my sister-in-law insisted, “Why don't you stay with us for a few days? We will watch you, and if you don't feel better, we'll take you to a hospital.”
I was convinced that I would be fine in a few days because I had identified the root cause of my problem. I was also determined to have them witness the power of Falun Gong! It turned out that I could eat normally that very evening. I didn't even feel nauseated when I ate fish and meat that night, and I felt a lot more energetic.
I looked a lot better after a few days and my sister-in-law stopped asking me to go to the hospital.
I started clarifying the truth about Falun Gong to people on the streets a week later. I knew that Teacher had helped me prevail over the tribulation when he saw that I genuinely wanted to rectify my cultivation state. Teacher saved my life again!
Just one thought made all the difference in the world! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Teacher for His hints and protection. Thank you, Teacher! I can only cultivate myself more diligently to repay you for your compassion.
