Giving Up Arrogance and Becoming Humble

(Minghui.org) Humility is considered by many to be part of our original nature, present at birth. Arrogance, on the other hand, is a postnatally acquired, deviated characteristic. And it is one of the reasons a being drops to lower levels. 

Fundamentally, one’s humility is toward the divine. Because human beings were created by gods, and live under the protection and inculcation of divine beings. Humility towards gods was planted deep in their hearts. However, as the cosmos has deviated from its original nature, human hearts have gradually become polluted. They gradually developed arrogance and began to put themselves in a high position, thinking they had become successful because of their own abilities. They thus became supercilious, saw themselves as gods, and lost respect for true gods – their protectors. This is the concrete manifestation of depravity. 

To be permanently protected by gods, we must firmly maintain our belief, humility, and reverence towards gods. We must let go of any arrogance. It is the most direct way to elevate our levels based on the guidance of gods. Cultivation means removing all attachments and human things in our hearts, and unconditionally behaving in line with Master’s requirements. We should constantly dig out the attachments deeply hidden in our hearts and let them go. 

I understood by studying the Fa that beings at all levels, including at high levels, all are living in a maze, and that none may know the truth beyond their levels. 

Master said, “It cannot reveal the true picture of things at high levels to those who are at low levels. This is a principle of the cosmos.” (Teachings at the Conference in Houston) 

A human being cannot even see through all the things at the level of human beings, not to mention those at higher levels. No matter what height we achieve in cultivation, we are still lives in the cosmos; thus, we can never regard ourselves as esteemed, because there are numerous and uncountable levels beyond us. 

What we should do is solidly do well whatever we should do, remaining content with our duties. What we should think about every day is simply how to do well based on the Fa and how to do well the three things which were asked of us by Master. This is the mission of all Dafa practitioners.

During my 20-plus years of cultivation, the thing I like best is to study the Fa – to study the Fa every day; and sure, I also cannot neglect exercising. I do everything Master requires us to do, and try to do it well. I also try to clarify the truth well, and send forth righteous thoughts properly. Whenever I realize I have attachments, I always try to get rid of them without hesitation. Cultivation practice cannot be based on our personal feelings, but must be based on the Fa. Master sees everything clearly. This reminds me of a few experiences during my cultivation, which showed how strong my attachments of competitiveness and arrogance were. 

In the Forced Labor Camp

I was illegally detained in a forced labor camp in 2001. A director of guards said to me in front of a lot inmates, “Why are you so difficult?” She was always harsh to Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners. I never had any confrontations with her before this. But now she was criticizing me, and I got angry. 

I thought at that time, “Even if she sought revenge, I would still say what I want to say to let them know that we Falun Gong practitioners are good people who are being persecuted, and we are not cowards or easy to be bullied.” As a result, she didn’t seek revenge. Now, as I recall this, I realize I did that out of competitiveness, not from a wish to safeguard the Fa. I rebutted her because I could not bear her ridiculing me in front of so many people. I thought “I have to save face even if I endure physical suffering for it.” 

The attachment of competitiveness is a manifestation of lack of Forbearance. Now I understand that my xinxing at that time was far below par. I feel so ashamed. Master must have felt sad for me at that moment. 

In the Workplace 

A few years ago, a leader at work made a comment about me to others, “She thinks highly of no one, and obeys no one.” I was surprised, because I had not often dealt with or spoken with him. How could he speak about me like that? Just because he is a leader? I had a strong aversion for him after that. 

Furthermore, he once said that it was not worth detaining me in a forced labor camp for practicing Falun Gong, since he thought my future was already destroyed by it. I answered with animosity, “I don’t regret it.” He got angry. He thought he was caring about me, but I showed no appreciation. 

Now, as I recall this, I see that what I thought and said was due to my arrogance, attachment of competitiveness, and a mentality of indifference. I didn’t show compassion. It was a manifestation of my failing to behave in accordance with Dafa. 

Enduring Criticism at Home 

Even at home, my father often criticized me for not being humble. He also criticized me in front of others. I felt awkward and angry about this, and I often argued with him. Although I was studying the Fa a great deal at that time, and understood many Fa principles, I didn’t compare my speech and behavior to the Fa, and I never looked inward. I thought I was doing quite well. I always believed that those who criticized me were prejudiced against me. And I developed resentment toward them. 

Now, when I reflect on this, I see that all these issues arose from me. Although I had been cultivating for a long time, I never paid attention to my problems of being competitive and arrogant. I thought that I was studying the Fa every day and understood some Fa principles, and I saw myself as a good cultivator. But actually, since I failed to do things by truly complying with the Fa, I didn’t really cultivate and I could not have been counted as a real cultivator. Their judgment about my being self-centered and self-esteemed was correct. Because I didn’t cultivate solidly, the messages I emitted were unpleasant to others. No one could see the niceness of Dafa in me. 

Of course, that was my state in the past. Now, I am trying to let go of all the bad habits and thoughts, including being arrogant and supercilious, every day through Fa study. I am constantly requiring that I behave in line with Dafa, cleansing my energy field, assimilating myself to the Fa, and trying to be a qualified Dafa practitioner. 

Only looking inward can enable us to find our attachments and upgrade our levels. Then we can exhibit the realms of Dafa practitioners and help people identify with Dafa, and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Above are my personal feelings and thoughts in cultivation. Please point out anything inappropriate.