Understanding the Importance of Eliminating Attachments After Reading Hong Yin VI

(Minghui.org) I recently read Master Li Hongzhi’s Hong Yin VI several times. The first poem that I memorized was “The Challenges of Saving Self and Other,” Hong Yin VI:

“ … The superior man meets adversity head-on with a smileThe average man can nary keep calm when faced with ordealThe lesser man fails to abolish his human wants and thoughts… ”

I still have so many attachments. Am I the lesser man Master was referring to?

I reflected on my own cultivation state. Not only did I not remain calm when I encountered tribulations, many attachments surfaced, such as jealousy, competitiveness, resentment, impatience, seeking self-interest, satisfying my desires, and seeking fame. Once I found them, I tried to eliminate them one by one; however, I haven’t been successful. I still have all of them.

I have practiced Falun Dafa for over 20 years now. I’ve been reading the Fa, doing the exercises, and sending righteous thoughts regularly. As for efforts to help save people, I’ve been involved in making truth clarification materials and distributing them. In terms of validating Dafa, I write articles and help other practitioners write theirs. I thought I kept up with the pace of Fa-rectification, but I haven’t eliminated my attachments. I’ve been interfered with by these attachments instead. I’m not even sure I’ve been saved, let alone reaching enlightenment (or consummation). Isn’t this very dangerous?

What does it mean to solidly cultivate oneself? I enlightened that it means to strictly hold oneself to the standards of the Fa. I had problems with one practitioner who had a lot of fear about going out to give people materials about the persecution. I was very upset and complained about him to other practitioners. I felt that he was not diligent. But now, I no longer get upset when he declines to accept the materials. I treat him with compassion. Whatever he is comfortable doing, I am fine with it.

In the past, when I was organizing experience-sharing manuscripts for other practitioners, I became upset because some of them were very disorganized. I didn’t have the confidence to revise them and, sometimes, I even wanted to throw them away. Now, no matter how fragmented, scattered or disorganized the manuscripts are, I dutifully rewrite them. I understand that even if they need to be revamped, what they express is from a practitioner’s pure heart to validate Dafa. There are valuable points in every article! To put it another way, if the articles were written so well that they were ready for publication, then no one would be needed to revise them.

I used to be self-righteous and didn’t hesitate to criticize other practitioners. I also talked non-stop. These days, when issues come up with other practitioners’ articles, I try not to impose my ideas on them so that they can reflect their own will. I try to see their strengths and make up for my own weaknesses.

On the home front, I used to have problems with my husband. He is a laborer and works year round. When he comes home, he is covered with dirt and dust. In the past, I insisted that he clean himself and avoided him until he did. As a result, he was usually very upset. I now see that it’s not easy for him. He is almost 70 years old and still has to work every day. So when he comes home, I let him rest first. He is very appreciative of my understanding.

I realize I should have done this much earlier. I had many ailments in the past, and it was my husband who looked after me. After I began practicing Falun Dafa, he was very supportive. He also suffered a lot when I was being persecuted. But he never complained. He is particularly supportive of my writing efforts, which takes up a lot of time. He’s a nice man, and many fellow practitioners speak highly of him. Even among non-practitioners, there are many virtuous wives. I’m a Falun Dafa practitioner, so I should do even better. Now, whenever he needs help, I put down whatever I’m doing to help him. This is also part of cultivating myself.

Through studying the Fa, I enlightened to the importance of eliminating attachments. I must hold myself to a high standard and study the Fa well.