(Minghui.org) From time to time, the weather turns bad when we’re holding outdoor truth-clarification activities. Sometimes we stop what we’re doing or cancel the activity in advance. I would like to share some of my understandings about this.
I believe that one of the reasons we haven’t done well dealing with bad weather is because we view it as something natural or inevitable. In fact, it is not.
Master said,
“You should also be clear that “natural” does not exist, and “the inevitable” has reasons behind it. In fact, “natural” is irresponsibly used by everyday people to make excuses for themselves when they are unable to explain the phenomena of the universe, life, and matter. They cannot imagine what “nature” itself is.” (“Expounding on the Fa,” Essentials For Further Advancement)
The most important things for Dafa practitioners are studying the Fa, clarifying the facts to save sentient beings, and sending forth righteous thoughts. When encountering disruptions to our truth-clarification efforts, we should look within and figure out why our activities are being interfered with – are there any attachments or unrighteous thoughts we need to let go of? Why not send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the interference?
Another reason could be that we don’t believe we have enough power to make an impact.
Master said,
“The bigger you perceive the challenges to be, the harder things will be to carry out, since “the appearance stems from the mind.” And so the task will become increasingly burdensome.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the Epoch Times Meeting,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World, Volume X)
Whether we can make a difference depends on how each of us Dafa disciples thinks in our hearts. If we truly believe that we have the power to make a difference, then we do. If we think that there is nothing we can do, then of course, nothing will happen as a result. Even if some practitioners think they don’t have enough power, our Master does. We have Master’s law body behind every Dafa practitioner.
The third possible reason is that some practitioners think that we should conform to everyday people’s society and avoid bad weather if it gets very windy or starts raining heavily. Of course, we should conform to the way of everyday people in daily life, but this doesn’t mean that we should be the same as everyday people.
For example, when the weather turns bad, we could arrange for elderly practitioners to send forth righteous thoughts in a sheltered area nearby and have younger practitioners continue to clarify the truth to passers-by. There are different ways to handle things, depending on each situation.
Of course, we should never go to extremes. If we encounter an earthquake, a tsunami, or a hurricane, we should avoid it, but such situations are very rare, and I am only talking about general situations.
There is also the possibility that no matter how focused we are when sending forth righteous thoughts, the weather stays the same. It doesn’t matter if this happens, and we should simply regard this as a test, and an opportunity for us to accumulate virtue.
I remember when Master was teaching the Fa at the New York Fa Conference in 2017, it was raining hard and a student asked if it was the result of the old forces causing trouble, or gaps among Dafa disciples. Master replied,
“Nothing is coincidental, though, and there are factors from two angles. It is here either to test you or to help you. There are two angles in any case, so think about it. There are no accidents.” (“Fa Teaching at the New York Fa Conference on the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Dafa’s Introduction to the Public,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XIV)
From another perspective, if we change our plan whenever we encounter bad weather, the old forces may see it and think: “Since you’re so concerned about bad weather, we will arrange for bad weather each time you have an important event. Let’s see what you do about that!” The old forces will take advantage of our loopholes to interfere with us. I suggest that we don’t change what has been planned for group activities simply because the weather isn’t good.
We know from many sharing articles on Minghui.org that practitioners inside China risk their own lives to clarify the facts to save people, regardless of the weather – rain or shine, hot or cold. I’m sure we can do well too when we have a bit of rough weather.
As long as we show perseverance, gods and other sentient beings will help us. Master will also arrange the appropriate conditions for us, and we will be able to make breakthroughs in our cultivation environment and truth-clarification efforts.
The above is my personal understanding. Please kindly point out anything not in line with the Fa.