When Things Go Wrong, Look Within to Improve Ourselves

(Minghui.org) Sometimes we easily develop resentment towards someone or something when we feel being wronged or treated unfairly. But as a matter of fact, how we are treated is never others’ fault, but has to do with how we see things. If we stop trying to find fault in others and instead look within to identify our own omissions, we are improving our character and will view the same matter in a very different light. 

Below are examples of how three practitioners handled tribulations in their lives and treated hardship as happiness. 

The first practitioner’s child has an intellectual disability. He often threw things around, beat people, and stayed up late. The practitioner’s husband also verbally abused her very often. The practitioner never complained. She took good care of the family and took the tribulations as opportunities to cultivate herself.

The second practitioner loved her sister so much that she agreed to pay her sister’s debts. There was a period of time when every day someone new her sister owed money to would knock on her door demanding payment. The practitioner didn’t resent her sister, but looked within and realized that she needed to rectify herself.

The third practitioner was mistreated and looked down upon by her own mother. No matter what she did, her mother was never satisfied and always found fault with her. Because of her mother’s attitude towards her, even her siblings taunted her all the time. At first, the practitioner couldn’t understand why her mother treated her like this and constantly argued with her. 

She felt all mothers should love their children unconditionally, but gradually she realized that there was also a karmic relationship between her mother and her. She came to understand that her mother was helping her to repay her karma. She changed her notion and didn’t take it to heart when her mother scolded her again. Instead, she treated her mother well and developed compassion for her. She said that for the first time in 15 years, she realized that life wasn’t easy for her mother, either.

Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)