(Minghui.org) Time flies, and 26 years have passed since I started practicing Falun Dafa. Being able to cultivate and be protected by Master—what a blessing and privilege it is in this vast universe!
Whether an experience sharing conference is large or small, it’s a valuable opportunity for me to reflect on myself, find where I fall short, and improve my character. These opportunities are rare, and they are the form our Master left for us to elevate in cultivation.
When practitioners talk about their cultivation experiences, there’s always so much to say. I’d like to share some of my recent experiences while I was memorizing the Fa.
Memorizing the Fa and Improving My Character
Like many practitioners, I’ve tried to memorize the Fa on my own, but I couldn’t keep up with it and never finished a complete round. I also tried copying the Fa but stopped halfway through (I’ve resumed now). After listening to Minghui website’s “Persisting in Memorizing the Fa” series, I was deeply moved. Especially when I saw how practitioners changed after memorizing the Fa—they became calmer and steadier when facing challenges. They could cultivate their speech, and took conflicts lightly. It made me realize that memorizing the Fa really makes a difference.
About a year ago, another practitioner suggested that we memorize the Fa together. I believe Master saw my desire and arranged this opportunity for me. We commit to one hour each time without rushing—we just focus on absorbing the Fa. Although we encountered various disturbances, we’ve persisted and memorized Zhuan Falun three times.
We focus and put our heart into internalizing each word. I also review what I’ve memorized during my daily commute on the bus, and as a result, I can remember more.
The most noticeable change from memorizing the Fa is that my mind has become more peaceful. I’m not as anxious as I used to be when things happen. Now, I first calm down, I’m less impulsive, and I’m better at controlling my emotions and thoughts, preventing them from wandering. In the past, I found this difficult to do. I even thought that saying whatever came to mind was a kind of honesty or purity—straightforward and not worldly. I saw it as “being genuine” and thought nothing was wrong with it. But in reality, it was a way of indulging my emotions and loosening my self-discipline. I was allowing my so-called natural emotions to control me but I did not realize it.
Master said,
“Things done rationally, when a person knows what he’s doing, are usually done out of Shan thoughts. That is a person’s true self.” (“Teachings at the Conference in Europe”)
As I was writing this, I faced a test. Every year, from June to August, people take time off, but everyone tries to stagger their vacations to avoid disrupting work and inconveniencing others. However, this time, I had to cover for fellow practitioners for many days in a row.
First, a practitioner in my group suddenly needed to take two weeks off due to sickness karma, and I had to cover for her. I didn’t hesitate or feel disturbed. She was taking care of her mother, who was also a practitioner, during a severe illness. After her mother passed away last August, she faced significant physical and mental challenges, but she had been working to overcome them. We must support and help each other during tribulations.
The next week was more challenging. The practitioner who covers Sundays wanted to take her children for a vacation. I agreed to cover her shift, meaning I had to work seven days straight the following week. I didn’t think twice about it or see any reason to refuse. It’s only right that we help each other out.
But that wasn’t the end of it. One week, two people were off at the same time. Their work schedules are opposite mine, and since I just adjusted my schedule after covering shifts for a week, I’d have to reverse it again. When my supervisor asked me, I said it was fine—it was something I should do, nothing more to say.
My husband, a practitioner, said, “Covering for others is a good thing; it shows that you’re doing well in cultivation and have abundant energy.” I felt the same way.
When it comes to showing off, it’s a mindset I need to work on. Since childhood, I’ve been obedient, did well in school, held leadership positions, and attended prestigious elementary and university schools. Hearing praise became so routine that I got used to it. I eventually formed the notion that I could do anything. This often made me come across as strong-willed or dismissive of others.
In addition, I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years, always guiding others. I could spot problems quickly and believed that the better the teacher, the more they should identify issues and help students solve them—it became my habit. Before I began practicing Falun Dafa, my colleagues sometimes joked, “You’re giving us a lesson again,” or “There she goes teaching again.”
To overcome the desire to show off, I’ve repeatedly memorized the section on “The Mentality of Showing Off” in Zhuan Falun. Each time I do, I gain new insights. I understand that in cultivation, you can only—and must—practice according to the Fa to improve, do the three things well, and fulfill our mission to save sentient beings. We must eliminate human thoughts, notions, or habits—no matter how good or reasonable they seem. We must eliminate all human notions and attachments not aligned with the Fa because it’s the standard for practitioners.
I can’t say I’ve completely eliminated the mentality of showing off, but now, when it starts to surface, I can quickly catch it and consciously remove it. I can feel that Master is helping me remove those harmful substances, and they no longer affect me.
A Sense of Inner Peace
Many things that used to occupy my mind faded away, and I no longer dwell on them. I no longer care what others say or do. I feel tranquil and peaceful as if the world has changed. Various conflicts no longer disturb me. I became more rational, mature, and more of a true practitioner.
Master said,
“Human beings, you know, are affected by many concepts in the ordinary society, and they're constantly forming different concepts, which severely affect their original nature and true thoughts.” (Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference)
I understand the Fa more deeply than I did before. What Master says is absolutely true. I’ve realized that one's mind is never empty—if it’s not filled with divine and righteous thoughts, it will be occupied by human notions. Memorizing the Fa allows the Fa to fill our minds and hearts. The more we remember the Fa, the quicker we assimilate to it. Gradually, without our noticing, our way of thinking changes.
Reflecting on the test I faced while covering shifts, President Biden attended the graduation ceremony at West Point and delivered a speech that day. His speech started 40 minutes late. Without Biden’s speech, our report wouldn’t have met the standard. It was a significant event that day, and all the mainstream media covered it. Although we don’t have the workforce, resources, or finances that ordinary media have, we should have wisdom and abilities beyond those of ordinary people. Our standards should be higher than those of ordinary media.
After coordinating with a fellow practitioner and using all available resources, we finished the report just as the deadline arrived. When the supervisor came for the report, I said, “Biden was 40 minutes late today.” He wasn’t convinced and stressed that we shouldn’t delay. I explained, “This news is quite important.” He didn’t listen. I vaguely heard him tell others, “She’s still talking about Biden being 40 minutes late,” while laughing.
I thought this was all directed at me, but I still needed to do what had to be done. The report was published, and the original audio was included. If we had more time, we could have added more and better original content.
Throughout the project, I feel that every piece of news, every sentence, and even every word, if done with care and righteous thoughts, can become a powerful tool to eliminate evil and save people. But if not done wholeheartedly, it has no power—it accomplishes nothing. It fails to suppress evil, clarify the truth, or save people. Our teamwork during the production process also serves the purpose of saving people. The others wouldn’t have been so anxious if I communicated earlier. Looking inward, I realized I hadn’t put others first.
Just then, another practitioner loudly criticized me for casually selecting a quote to include. He mentioned that since it was about Washington and involved British people, the audience wouldn’t understand. I responded, “That quote is important.” I then explained that Biden cited President Washington to highlight the historical significance of West Point. At the West Point graduation ceremony, Washington and the Revolutionary War are inevitably mentioned. At that time, I didn’t know that Washington actually chose West Point.
The practitioner then said I should have prepared earlier, and so on. I thought, “You don’t understand American history and culture, yet you’re still commenting. Real-time news can’t be prepared in advance.” But I held back, reminding myself not to argue. There was still much to do, so I let it go, but I noticed my hands trembling—a sign of my unsettled heart. Fortunately, it only lasted a few seconds.
Reflecting afterwards, I realized I hadn’t cultivated solidly. I should have remained completely unmoved—no explanations, no complaints. Although I’ve passed many tests, in the end, I still need to look within. Only by eliminating attachments can I improve. Looking inward is a treasure.
I’m genuinely grateful to the practitioner who criticized me and made me uncomfortable. He provided me with an opportunity to elevate my character. Deep down, I realized I thought I was always right, I looked down on others, I liked to show off, and I enjoyed hearing praise, but disliked differing opinions. I have to remove these notions amid conflicts so I can progress.
Gratitude
When I was a child, I often wished that people wouldn’t die, that we could live without eating and that we could become immortals. Life after life, through birth, aging, sickness, and death, the suffering seemed endless. Where is the end?
I believed there must be higher beings beyond humans who could teach us the way and the secret to eternal life.
In middle school, our homeroom teacher showed some students photos of a person said to have specific abilities. One student pointed to my picture and said, “This person will be different in the future.” It wasn’t until I began practicing that I understood how I was different and realized how incredibly fortunate I was to have received something so precious!
Master’s teachings reveal the mysteries of the universe and every word Master says is filled with profound meaning. One cannot lift oneself to the heavens by pulling their hair; we must have Master’s guidance and protection. Master’s sacrifices are immense, and beyond words.
I must never forget Master’s boundless grace and should always be grateful. As the ancients said, “A drop of water in need shall be returned with a spring of kindness.” Gratitude deepens my faith in the Fa and reminds me to see myself as a practitioner.
Thank you, Master, Thank you, fellow practitioners.
（Presented at the 2024 Experience Sharing Conference in New Jersey）
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