Looking Within to Cultivate Myself

(Minghui.org) Over the past more than 20 years, the benevolent protection and sacrifice of Master Li Hongzhi (Falun Dafa’s founder) has helped me to progress safely on my path of Falun Dafa cultivation practice. During this process, I have personally experienced Master by my side at all times. Every tribulation overcome in cultivation transpired as a result of the hardship and endurance borne by my Teacher. I am thankful for this benevolent salvation and I will definitely not let my Teacher down. I will bear in mind my mission and do well in the three things required of Falun Dafa practitioners. In this way, I hope that Master can be more gratified and have less worries.

Below, I will share some of my recent cultivation experiences.

Finding a Hidden Attachment

In April 2021, following a small group Fa study session, participants discussed the “Zero Out” campaign recently initiated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Falun Dafa practitioners. Anqi and another practitioner proceeded to talk about something else and their voices were quite loud. I felt that they were a bit out of sync with the group and that they were even disturbing the discussion. So, I said to them loudly, “Could you join us first and then return to your personal matter at hand?” My attitude was unfriendly and my tone was a bit reprimanding. Upon hearing that, Anqi was angry and said, “We are also discussing things concerning saving people.” 

After the group discussion ended, I said, “Anqi, we have finished our discussion. You can talk now!” Anqi was worked up and said, “There is nothing to talk about, you all were talking about serious matters, and so were we. You always seem to look down on me and reprimand me. You have done it so many times already.” I could see that she was angry and hurt. At the time, I was confused and did not understand why she was so agitated and displaying such a temper. As I needed to go out with another practitioner to clarify the truth in the afternoon, I did not try to explain much to her but just consoled her a bit and left. 

After returning home, I immediately looked within and found many attachments. But I just could not understand why Anqi was so angry with me. I could not find the fundamental reason. Therefore, I went to study the Fa. No situation is coincidental, so there must be attachments that I need to get rid of. 

Anqi and I are both veteran practitioners who obtained the Fa before the persecution started in 1999. We have been cooperating with one another for over 20 years. As time passed, our relationship grew closer. I came to see that the influence of the CCP culture is so deep within me that I did not behave with compassion towards a fellow practitioner. I even placed myself above Anqi and looked down on her. I scolded Anqi and hurt her, which was really wrong. I knew that I must apologize sincerely and also set my mind to get rid of these attachments.

That night, while memorizing from the book Zhuan Falun, I came upon the teaching “How Practicing Provokes Evil” (The Sixth Talk, Zhuan Falun). My body suddenly shuddered. Oh, I finally understood! Benevolent Master is actually using this opportunity to help me get rid of the attachment of arrogance. I never realized that I had such a serious competitive mentality – this attachment was hidden so well! The old forces want to use this to bring me down. This was just so scary! 

Actually, when thinking about it in detail, this attachment was fully displayed in me and is deeply rooted in my mind. I had become so used to it that I did not realize it was there. For example, when seeing other practitioner’s shortcomings, I would just speak out directly about it without considering the timing, venue, or if that practitioner could accept it. I often forced my thoughts on others and when fellow practitioners were going through tribulations, I told them that they should understand it in this way or that way. I often told other practitioners what attachments they had instead of studying the Fa and looking within together with them so that we could truly elevate our cultivation states. Master saw that I did not understand this point for such a long period of time, so he used this opportunity to remove the attachment. Thank you, Master, for your enlightenment and thank you, fellow practitioners for your bearing of hardship because of me!

The next day I went to Anqi’s house to apologize to her. I was worried that she would ignore me so I thought in my heart: No matter how fiercely she treats me, I will not get angry because this is my fault. Anqi bore many hardships so as to help me improve in my cultivation, so I must thank her properly. After knocking on the door, I saw her open the door for me happily as though nothing had happened and she said, “Why have you come?” Seeing her state, the big stone in my heart was finally removed. I said, “I am here to apologize to you. Thank you for enduring the hardships I have caused you. I am in the wrong.” She immediately said, “I also do not know why I was so irrational yesterday, saying so many wrong things to you.” I shared the enlightenment that Master gave me and my understanding with her and we made an agreement that from now on, no matter what conflicts or tribulations we face, we must remind and help one another. Under Master’s guidance and care, both of us had a deeper understanding of the Fa and also higher requirements of ourselves.

Eliminating Arrogance Helped in Clarifying the Truth to Police

In June 2021, my son received a call from the police station on our home telephone. Since I was not home at the time, the officer gave my son an appointment for me to meet with them the following day. When I returned home, my son told me about the call and asked if I was in trouble with the police again. I said that I did not have any problems with the police so there was no need for him to be scared. My daughter-in-law was quite scared and questioned me about what I might have done. She also requested that I pack up the printer, computer and other Falun Dafa materials and remove them from the house. I clarified the truth to her and told her not to be scared as there was no problem. She did not say anything anymore after that.

I sent out strong righteous thoughts affirming to the evil old forces that I am Master Li Hongzhi’s disciple, a Dafa practitioner who is progressing on the path of becoming a divine being. I only follow Dafa and my Master. Nobody else can interfere with me. “Whoever touches it commits a sin.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Great Lakes Fa Conference in North America,” Guiding the Voyage) I do not acknowledge any evil arrangements and totally negate and eliminate them! I asked Master to empower me to eliminate the evil controlling the police and causing disturbance for Dafa practitioners and sentient beings. After sending forth righteous thoughts for an hour, I started to study the Fa.

Studying the Fa cleared my heart and mind and my confidence grew. I knew that Master was by my side looking after me all the time. I am so fortunate to have my Teacher and the Fa.

Full of confidence, I prepared to welcome the police officers who were coming to my house to meet with me. I did not see them as people who were coming to cause disturbance or as evil beings intending to persecute me. I remembered that they were beings coming to listen to the truth and be offered salvation. I perceived this situation as a good opportunity for me to validate Dafa and save sentient beings. I wanted to make good use of this opportunity to do well in what I should do in an upright and frank manner.

The following morning I said to my son, “When the police officers come, we must treat them as guests. While I am talking to them, you will silently recite ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.’ They may ask me to sign papers and I will definitely not sign so they may ask you to sign for me. You must not sign the papers. Just tell them that your mother’s matters are decided by her and so you cannot sign.”

Two police officers arrived at our door and we warmly welcomed them into our house. The older officer remarked that my health appeared quite good. I responded, “Yes, I am a cultivator, therefore my health is very good!” They requested to take a look around and I pleasantly agreed to this. My son showed the police every room and then I asked them to take a seat and served them tea. I maintained a smile all the time and said, “Today, I am very happy that the both of you came to visit me. I warmly welcome you as friends and guests.” 

Just then, the younger officer took out his mobile phone to prepare to take photos and recordings. I said to him solemnly, “At my house, I call the shots. I will not allow you to do this, as it is a crime and I am not going to cooperate.” The older officer said to him, “Do not take photos, do not take photos.” He then inquired if I practiced Falun Dafa in the past. I replied, “Yes, Falun Dafa is just so good. Not only does it have miraculous effects on getting rid of illnesses and strengthening one’s health, it also requests its cultivators to be good people who abide by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. This is truly a high level Dafa!” 

The older officer said, “The country states that Falun Dafa is a cult practice.” I explained, “That is nonsense. You go online and check the 14 types of cults that are identified by the State Department to see if Falun Dafa is listed there. Furthermore, all the books from Falun Dafa and all the truth-clarifying materials are all legal. You policemen are the defenders of citizens and protect them from harm. Therefore, never help a tyrant to victimize his subjects and do silly things that aggrieve our own people and gladden the enemy.” The officer said that his superior had asked him to visit and find out if I was still practicing Falun Dafa. I acknowledged that I would practice it forever!

This whole truth-clarifying process was carried on in a light-hearted and harmonious manner. Master Li helped me to eliminate the evil in other dimensions that influenced the policemen. The conversation ended and the officers got up, ready to leave. I encouraged them to remember ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.’ I hoped that they would choose a good future for themselves and their families.

Thank you, Master Li Hongzhi!