The Importance of Cultivating One’s Speech

(Minghui.org) I remember a very painful lesson—one that went on for three years. I can’t point fingers at anyone—I’m the one who caused the conflict. 

Before I began practicing Falun Dafa I freely expressed my opinion without considering anyone’s feelings. I thought I was being honest, and that it was good to say what was on one's mind. After I started cultivating in Falun Dafa I stopped commenting on what was reported in the media or everyday affairs. However, I could not remain calm when I faced conflicts with fellow practitioners. 

Whenever I experienced a conflict I immediately looked at the other person. I pointed out their faults and loudly criticized them. This created gaps between myself and fellow practitioners. As I did not cultivate my speech, my relationship with local practitioners was not harmonious. I also encountered a lot of trouble, which complicated my cultivation.

Three years ago I read an experience-sharing article written by a local coordinator, called Jia, which was published in the Minghui Weekly. I felt very uncomfortable as the article pointed out some local practitioners’ cultivation issues, including mine. He said I did not cultivate my speech. Jia’s intention was kind and based on the Fa. However, I did not look at it that way and thought he was placing himself above the rest of us. I could not calm down for months.

This spring Jia helped me replace my computer system. I was writing an article for World Falun Dafa Day and he offered to polish it. He also sent me printers and other computer accessories and taught me some computer techniques. I was very moved and also realized my previous opinion of him was wrong. Jia never placed himself above other practitioners. Fortunately, I did not complain when he mentioned me in his article, so he did not know I was unhappy with him. 

The reason I felt uncomfortable was because I did not cultivate my speech, and could not admit it when I was wrong. I felt bad about the way I reacted, so I wrote to him a letter of apology. In it I described my hidden attachments. This was part of my effort to improve my xinxing.

I Caused Trouble

Another practitioner, Yi, coordinated some efforts three years ago. I felt her tone of voice was aggressive and unfriendly, so I publicly criticized her. She was embarrassed. I was still angry and twisted her words and repeated them to the other practitioners. I accused her and said that she was not within the Fa. 

This caused a big stir among local practitioners. We did not interact with each other for three years and our relationships were very tense.

Yi encountered many obstacles one after another a year ago while coordinating Dafa-related projects. Another practitioner told me about it and also described the great burden and responsibility that Yi shouldered for our local Fa-rectification efforts. I realized it was really not easy for her. My compassion dissolved the separation between us. I was glad to take on the task of helping Yi write an article. This not only helped lighten her burden it also helped our local practitioners coordinate as a whole. Yi was very touched and changed her opinion of me. Afterwards she proactively reached out to me when she needed help.

I finally understood the importance of cultivating speech. If I could have kindly pointed out Yi’s omissions and communicated with her calmly with compassion in the beginning, the situation would not have become so tense.

Master leads us to cultivate to high level and eventually become gods. Gods do not speak without restraint. The gods will only speak when it is necessary and would never say anything inappropriate. Master singled out the issue of cultivating speech in Zhuan Falun to emphasize its importance.

Master said,

“We should all speak according to a practitioner’s xinxing rather than create conflicts or say something improper. As cultivators, we must measure ourselves with the standard of the Fa to determine whether we should say certain things.” (Lecture Eight, Zhuan Falun)

Master’s Fa was like a shining light and illuminated my mind. I felt ashamed that I did not cultivate well and did not truly cultivate my speech. I felt very bad that I caused trouble among fellow practitioners.

This was a very painful lesson. I decided to write it down and share it with you to expose and eliminate the negative elements which controlled me and caused me to not cultivate my speech. I want to completely eliminate them.

By studying the Fa, transcribing Zhuan Falun, and reciting Hong Yin VI, I had a deeper understanding of the Fa. I fully realize my responsibility and why I’ve come to this world. I also understood better the importance of cultivating oneself well, including the importance of cultivating speech. I’m now able to control my speech and maintain my xinxing when sudden conflicts happen. I look within and think of others first. If I see some omissions in other practitioners’ cultivation, I kindly and calmly point it out based on the Fa. I now get along very well with fellow practitioners.

I truly experienced that Dafa cultivation environment is a pure land. Fellow practitioners have a great predestined relationship which we should cherish. In addition, when I cultivate my speech well, the surrounding environment is calm and smooth. My relationship with my fellow practitioners is harmonious—this is something I never experienced in my 25 years of cultivation. I really have come to understand the importance of cultivating speech.