(Minghui.org) Greetings, esteemed Master, and fellow practitioners:
I am 30 years old and a native of Italy. I began cultivating in Falun Dafa in 2016.
I have decided to divide this experience sharing article into two parts. I will first talk about the process of promoting Shen Yun in Italy, and then I will share my cultivation experiences, and how I eliminated my attachments.
Shen Yun 2023 Promotion
I returned to Palermo and was put in charge of promoting Shen Yun during the beginning of November 2022. As I was not doing well financially, I was worried that I would be unable to stay throughout the promotion and representing Shen Yun. After much hesitation, I decided to continue with promoting Shen Yun.
Master Li [the founder of Falun Dafa] had given me an opportunity to work a little, and I was able to put aside a small amount with which I could support myself until Christmas. My family also sent me some money and provided a large supply of food for me to keep at home. I felt Master’s encouragement and protection at every moment. I also enlightened that everything was already prearranged.
Unlike in other years, I was the person in charge this year. I am grateful to Italian practitioners who took turns to come to Palermo. Together, we accomplished all that needed to be done, and could complete what needed to be done. I am grateful to practitioners for their valuable and unconditional support.
During the daily Shen Yun promotion we could feel a force always pushing us forward. We also witnessed many moments of encouragement. Master has been always been at our side and we could feel Master’s presence again this year. People’s reactions when listening to us were always positive, and there was a lot of anticipation to see the Shen Yun performance as many people were unable to purchase tickets in 2022.
We were able to act as one body, and conflicts we faced were quickly resolved. Conflicts would disappear on their own when I honestly reflected and admitted my own shortcomings. I was also able to find my attachments to saving face, showing off, comfort and having negative thoughts.
There was a substantial difference in the formation of groups this year. When doing prior years’ Shen Yun promotions, we had formed a group that remained more or less the same for about six months. This way we got to know each other better, and were able to share many of our experiences. However, I had to adapt quickly to different situations and newcomers this year. At times I was by myself promoting Shen Yun. I felt a little lonely at times, but I pulled myself together and kept doing what was required of me.
Every practitioner worked hard while participating as part in the promotion. They overcame fears, settled the many daily affairs of work and family while giving their best. Some practitioners also found udumbara flowers blooming. We all rejoiced because Master has encouraged us on numerous occasions. [The udumbara flower is regarded as something very auspicious and is often referred to as a heavenly flower. According to Buddhist scriptures, the udumbara is a sacred flower which comes from the Buddhas’ realms. It is said to bloom only once every 3,000 years, and its appearance at this time in human history indicates that the Holy King who turns the wheel is in the human world.]
Tickets were sold for all four shows within less than two months of promotion. We had thought to add an additional show. I was convinced that we should take advantage of the Christmas holiday season to promote Shen Yun, as people would buy tickets as gifts for their family and friends.
We were still waiting for the theater’s response for the request of adding an additional show. I was asked if I was ready to take full responsibility for this additional performance. I hesitated at the moment because I did not know if I was able to return to Palermo. Although I was hesitant, I did not change my decision.
I realized how I had unconsciously shrugged off the responsibility and pushed everything to be done onto other coordinators. I told myself that I had done everything I could. After looking inwards and examining my thoughts, I knew I should have taken up the responsibility even though it meant organizing and following up from afar. The good news was that the theater accepted the request for the additional performance.
It is my absolute honor to participate in Shen Yun promotions and Dafa-validation projects. It is a great, unique, and priceless opportunity. Among the countless and infinite sentient beings in the cosmos, how many beings in the cosmos have the opportunity to be a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple. How many beings are able to assist Master during this time in history? Master has bestowed on me a great honor and I have to fulfill my historic mission.
We organized only a small team that would return to Palermo in January and promote the Shen Yun ticket sales for the additional show. The results were really unbelievable. Within a few weeks of opening the seats for purchase, the additional show was filled up.
I realize that when I feel hesitant, I should let go of my notions and attachments and strive for the best to assist Master in saving sentient beings. The results are always great and unimaginable.
I believe this result was only possible because of Master’s compassion and guidance. It was also due to the great effort and work of all of the practitioners involved. It was also the hard work and dedication of all the practitioners earlier this year and last year that we were able to complete our months-long systematic promotion and prepare for the arrival of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Cultivation
I would like to share about my cultivation process and discuss some of my attachments and understandings over the past few months.
I was able to follow Shen Yun around Italy for more than a month while helping the media team. The Shen Yun tour successfully ended in early May and I returned home.
The process was not easy. I had to quickly find a job and start saving money. In addition, responsibilities and work on projects increased, and I was struggling to manage my time efficiently.
I had trouble for quite some time getting up early in the morning and sending righteous thoughts. I could not concentrate fully during Fa study and doing the exercises, and my mind was often distracted by thoughts and worries. I was wasting time on social media, and swiping my smartphone without any goals.
Working with the theater demanded constant concentration. I had to search and get in touch with organizations and contact many people. Besides having to look for ordinary work and making time for interviews, I also had to coordinate with other practitioners and attend local group practice sites, study the Fa, and promote Gan Jing World.
For a couple of weeks, I felt that I could no longer handle the pressure. I felt I had to lighten my workload, and my justification to myself was that I had already done all that I could.
However, deep down I knew this was an excuse. I knew that I should hold myself to high standards and make a breakthrough. My attachments of being lazy, seeking comfort, and wanting a break resurfaced. I put several activities on hold for a month.
I looked deep within and reflected during this time. It was never easy to participate in Dafa projects. However, participating in them and unconditionally putting forth effort, I felt that I was fulfilling my historic vow. Although it is difficult, it was the most precious experience in this world. This is also the true reason why I am in this world. I resumed the activities I had put on hold.
I have recently started my regular job, and time management has become even more crucial. I try to get up at 6 a.m., do the exercises while on lunch breaks, or during other free time. I also have to make phone calls, promote Shen Yun on social media, or study the Fa.
The most important thing that made me regain focus and efficiency was studying the Fa. I kept telling myself that regardless of anything that may happen, I should never break away from the Fa. Even if I fall short on doing certain tasks or did not do the exercises as much, I’d try to study Zhuan Falun, the main text of Falun Dafa, every day. Master has repeatedly emphasized how important it is to study the Fa. Studying the Fa is first priority for a cultivator.
Everything that I accomplish originated from the Fa. The Fa has given me everything, and it has given me skills that I did not possess before. The more I study the Fa, the less effort I need to put into daily tasks. On top of that, the results are even better and appear faster. If I have studied the Fa well, I feel as if I am propelled by an energy that allows me to accomplish my work more efficiently. This is what has brought me to where I am today.
Master said,
“For a Dafa disciple, cultivation is first priority. That’s because if you fail to cultivate well, you will not be able to accomplish what you are to do; and if you fail to cultivate well, your power to save sentient beings will not be that great. And if you cultivate a little worse, then you will view and consider problems in the manner that ordinary people do, which would be still more awful. So you absolutely mustn’t slack off or lower your guard. This predestined opportunity of tens of millions of years, or even eons, and the long wait we have all been through, as with all that we have borne throughout history—all of it was for today. If at this critical time you fail to do well what you should do, it will be, after things become clear in the future, just unbearably miserable for you and for your beings. So you absolutely mustn’t let down your guard. (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume XI)
According to my understanding based on Master’s teachings, the part of us that has cultivated successfully is separated from us. We lead ordinary lives in society and don’t experience any changes. We don’t see the real reason behind everything or why it was arranged that way. We should be careful and not fall into despair or doubts.
Time is passing by fast. Each cultivation opportunity will not return. The countless years of waiting and cycles of reincarnation were all meant for this life. I should not waste time. I should make use of the precious time remaining to help Master and honor my historic vows. I’d often repeat to myself during times of difficulties, “Who am I? I am a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple.”
I felt that I did not pass a test on being truthful. I was not completely truthful during a job interview due to my attachment to fear and saving face. This situation had already occurred in the past and I began to worry.
I was able to get the job regardless, because of my technical skills. I understood that what is mine will not be lost. However, the fact that I was untruthful made me reflect on all my attachments, and how I am still unable to let go of everything and assimilate to the standards of a cultivator.
Master said,
“You will be made to give up all of the worldly attachments that you hold onto. Any and all attachments you have must be ground down, and it will take place through any of a number of scenarios where you will be made to stumble or do poorly, and from these come to new spiritual insights. This is how you will make it through and succeed.” (The Fourth Talk, Zhuan Falun)
It would be wrong to keep blaming myself because of the mistakes I made. I’d be upset oftentimes when I made a mistake and this has caused a lot of stress. I knew this was a loophole that the old forces could take advantage of when it comes to my cultivation.
I understand that every tribulation is arranged and those tribulations are directed at our attachments and areas where we need to improve. There is no coincidence in cultivation. We need to get up and move forward when we fall. We should continue to do well and not make the same mistakes again. I think this is what Master wishes for me to do.
Thank you, Master. Thank you, fellow practitioners.
(Sharing paper submitted to the 2023 European Fa Conference)
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