There Is No Small Matter in Cultivation

(Minghui.org) Perhaps we all know in principle that there are no trivial matters in cultivation, but many of us treat some important cultivation opportunities as indifferent matters and have missed the opportunity to cultivate ourselves.

Some “trivial matters” might include losing our temper with a family member or fellow practitioner, not correcting our mistakes, or not apologizing to others after we realize we were wrong. We should also be alert if we find ourselves casually making negative comments behind fellow practitioners or having feelings toward a fellow member of the opposite sex.

When something happens in our cultivation, regardless if we think it is good or bad, we need to realize it is a test for us. It might make us miserable and suffer. As cultivators, we should face it with a calm mind and follow the course of nature. We can’t respond negatively or fear the trouble and disturbance that comes with it.

We should treat everything with kindness and compassion because any matter is alive in another dimension. We should handle everyone, everything, and any matter around us with compassion and kindness. The slightest unkind thought tells us that there is something we need to work on in our cultivation.

I understand that the old forces made many arrangements in our cultivation, which might be reflected in our attachments or notions. While preparing us to embark on the spiritual journey in Dafa, Master Li (Falun Dafa’s founder) has removed the substances of the old forces’ arrangements in other dimensions, but it’s still up to us to work on what’s remaining on the surface level. Every uncultivated attachment could be a block that causes our cultivation to fail.

Master taught us,

“So no matter what your job is or what you do, as long as you see me, I’ll have you develop good [shan] thoughts, and as long as you see me I’ll reduce your sins and your karma amidst your good thoughts.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2003 Conference in Vancouver, Canada,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume II)

I understand that righteous, positive, and kind thoughts will eliminate karma. We must treat others with kindness and see the good in others. When we see fellow practitioners whose cultivation state is weak, we still have to look within, evaluate things with righteous thoughts, and believe that they will improve on the basis of the Fa. Such thoughts not only help strengthen them but also ourselves.

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)