(Minghui.org) I first came into contact with the Fa 21 years ago, but took up cultivation in earnest after I retired in 2010. Over the past 12 years, I have been calling people in mainland China to clarify the truth about Dafa and the persecution while cultivating myself and constantly abandoning human notions.
Over these 12 years, calling and clarifying the facts to mainland Chinese has helped shed light on my shortcomings and enabled me to realize areas which needed improvement. Removing human attachments and elevating my level is a constant work in progress.
When I started calling people in China, I was afraid that no one would pick up or listen to me. I was also overzealous, wanting the other party to accept the truth. It got to the point that I forgot to have a sincere and kind attitude. After eliminating these attachments, other worries took their place, such as my perceived inability to speak with confidence and overcome the evil’s influence. Now, I can calmly clarify the facts and remain unaffected despite verbal abuse from the other party. This has allowed more predestined sentient beings to accept the truth and quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its youth organizations.
Master said,
“The way gods see it, saving sentient beings is absolutely not something done in a manner like in human society, where after someone makes some mistakes human means are used to correct him. Gods are merciful and have the greatest capacity to forgive, and they are truly responsible to beings, instead of focusing on a person’s actions at a given time. That’s because gods awaken a being at a fundamental level, and enliven a being’s Buddha-nature at a fundamental level. So looking at things from this perspective, you still need to step up your clarifying the facts some, and still need to do it in greater depth, do it better, and do it more solidly; you absolutely can’t just go through the motions. Only when you do it earnestly can you save that many people.” (Fa Teaching Given at the 2004 Chicago Fa Conference)
I continue to work on improving my attentiveness and patience. Regarding those closely affiliated with the CCP who continue to view Dafa negatively, I have resolved not to give up on them and do my best to clarify the facts to them. I have prioritized this truth clarification activity as the most important item in my daily life, and will continue to persevere no matter what difficulties I encounter.
On the phone, I often encounter questions like, “It’s enough for you to concentrate on your personal cultivation; why are you doing this?” I would tell them, “Cultivators have benefited both physically and mentally from Dafa. We know how to become good people in line with Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. We are reaching out to our Chinese compatriots so they can be saved and escaped the catastrophe which will occur in future. We want you to be safe. Isn’t this important?”
Others have also asked, “The CCP supports us and gives us a stable life.” I would tell them, “In the past, when life was difficult and our country was experiencing a famine, the CCP made the public pay for stockpiled grain and imposed various taxes. Parents must pay their children’s school fees and now there is an additional tax and fees imposed on other essential services. Is the CCP supporting you, or are you supporting the CCP? In this society which has no freedom of speech, justice or truth, everyone suffers. Even senior CCP officials have no faith in the Communist Party anymore. Despite criticizing the United States, they have purchased property and sent their wives and children there. These officials have remitted their embezzled funds from China to the United States and hold multiple passports in order to guarantee their escape in the future. According to them, ‘Emigrating to the United States ensures a good life. We scold the United States because our job requires it.’ Now, only common citizens still believe the lies of the propaganda.”
Some have also said, “I don’t believe in superstition and see no point in quitting the CCP.” I would tell them, “Many Chinese historical stories describe the importance of fulfilling vows. You can even find modern day examples online. On August 26, 2008, a man surnamed Xu in Fujian Province refused to pay what was owed and even swore an oath to be struck by lightning if he was lying. He was killed by a bolt of lightning soon after stepping out of his home. People who join the CCP similarly raise their fists and swear to dedicate themselves to sacrifice and fight for the CCP. Such oaths are binding to the person. All Chinese share a common ancestry. Before the CCP, we respected gods and were protected by gods. In ancient times when faced with natural disasters, even the emperor had to fast, bathe, admit his sins and ask gods for their protection. In the face of calamities or situations beyond their power to resolve, man can only appeal to gods for help. The CCP’s approach to this pandemic should have made it clear. Do you think the CCP will save you?”
Recently, a fellow practitioner shared his experience about being wronged. This triggered a memory from my past. At the company I previously worked for, a manager from another department suddenly sent an email badmouthing me. Many other departments and my supervisor were copied in that email. When my supervisor asked me about it, I could only say I had no idea what it was about. In the meeting that followed, the manager who sent the email did not bring the matter up. I followed the principle of forbearance and did not dig into it any further. As as a result, the matter was naturally dropped.
The fellow practitioner shared that another practitioner had spoken ill of him to the activity coordinator, accusing him of things he had not done. This practitioner looked within but could not figure out the cause of these accusations. Under Master’s guidance, he realized that principles at the level of ordinary people are opposite to the truth. This incident was arranged for him to elevate his level. With this understanding, he immediately felt gratitude towards this fellow practitioner. His health issues vanished and his body felt lighter.
Upon hearing this, I realized the gap in my own cultivation. When I encountered situations like this, I only employed forbearance, but did not thank the other party from the bottom of my heart. As such, the results obtained were very different.
I used to believe in reciprocating when friends treat me kindly. When a friend of ours made a mistake at work, his supervisor asked my husband about the issue. My husband disclosed the truth without hesitation. After I found out, I scolded my husband for being ungrateful. Yet my non-cultivator husband calmly replied, “I only told him the truth.” I was shocked upon hearing his words. Aren’t Dafa cultivators supposed to cultivate truthfulness? I resolved to incorporate this principle into my words and deeds.
After finishing my calls to China for the day, I once felt bad that I failed to get even one person to quit the CCP. My husband replied, “You have to search within.” I agreed, “Certainly, I must search inward.” After a short pause I demanded, “Why did you keep walking in and out of the house, opening and closing the door while I was on the phone?” My husband replied, “Instead of looking inward, you are looking to blame external causes?” I realized Master was using my husband’s words to point out my shortcoming. Searching within myself unconditionally was the correct approach to take. Thinking back, every word of my accusation sounded ridiculous. This preconceived habit of looking externally instead of internally when encountering problems should be eliminated. I resolved to search within myself first in the future.
Once on a rainy day, I once mindlessly uttered, “Please don’t rain tomorrow, I have to deliver newspapers.” By my side, my husband commented, “Since you’ve accepted this job, you should expect to face all kinds of difficulties. How can everything go smoothly all the time?” I was shocked. Master used my husband’s mouth to remind me that cultivation should never be comfortable, and one must endure hardships.
In the past, I would nag my son to play less, study more and concentrate on his English language studies in order to land a good job in the future. I also found myself missing him badly whenever he came home late at night. After studying the Fa, I realized this showed my attachment to fame and family.
Master said,
“Actually, everyone has his own fate, and no one can decide others’ fates.” (Teachings at the Conference in Houston)
After realizing that my family’s future was beyond my control, I let go of my attachments. My relationship with my son improved significantly and my family became harmonious.
As a Dafa practitioner, I have no more doubts about the meaning of my life. I am grateful for Master’s constant care and guidance. I will cultivate well, help Master rectify the Fa, save more sentient beings, complete my mission, and live up to Master’s expectations.
(Presented at the Global Quit Chinese Communist Party Centre- DHT Platform Phone Call Group Experience Sharing Conference)