Avoid Indulging Ourselves and Lowering the Standard of Our Cultivation

(Minghui.org) I realized that some interference we encounter in our cultivation may be caused by misunderstandings or an insufficient understanding of the Fa, along with failing to meet the Fa’s requirements. Some practitioners don’t look inward and end up enduring tribulations for a long time.

For example, I still hold some notions or thoughts that are not in line with the Fa, but I often excuse my behavior by thinking, Master has left me a bit of human nature so I can tolerate staying in this world.

Other times, I tell myself: I must cultivate in a way that conforms to ordinary human society to the greatest extent possible. These things will eventually be removed, or Master will eliminate them. Because I had this mindset I gradually lowered the standard of my cultivation.

At the beginning of the persecution in July 1999, many practitioners were held in detention centers. Although some were calm on the surface while being brutalized by the police, in their hearts, they resented and hated the officers.

One practitioner whose celestial eye was open saw that those who resented the police in their hearts constantly transferred virtue from their bodies to the police.

Master told us:

“As a practitioner, the first thing you should be able to do is to not fight back when you are beaten or sworn at—you must be tolerant.” (Lecture Nine, Zhuan Falun)

These are the basic requirements for Falun Dafa practitioners when they first begin cultivating. When a practitioner feels they’ve been unfairly treated and have various negative thoughts and behavior, they are at odds with the characteristics of the universe and do not meet the standards of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

I’ve slacked off for some time and have been unable to muster the energy to practice. One day, on my way to work this passage from Master’s teachings appeared on my phone:

“Ordinary society is just one big dye vat, and the moment you let down your guard you get corroded by it. So you must cultivate nonstop and resist the contamination. As soon as you let up it will come for you. You are cultivators, and Master has let you keep the things that allow you to cultivate among ordinary people. That’s one of the reasons [behind what you described]—it’s so that you can conform as much as possible to the way of ordinary society in your cultivation. When you aren’t diligent, though, those human things of yours will be exploited. But as cultivators you are able to continually rectify yourself and continually get rid of bad things through your cultivation. However, you might still have some left. Don’t think that you have failed to cultivate well, though, and even less should you let it become a burden. Then it would become an attachment. When there are [bad things], just remove them. Cultivate in a noble and confident manner, and don’t let those things affect your actions. When they show up in your thoughts eliminate them in a timely manner.” (Teachings at the 2004 International Conference in New York)

The moment I read this Fa I truly felt that Master was watching over us at all times. There is no reason for me not to make progress or to indulge myself.

As future Kings who will manage a part of the cosmos, practitioners are held to high standards. We must strive to be pure and good. Our seemingly ordinary and mundane everyday lives constantly test our character. We must carefully monitor our thoughts and actions.

In the great dye vat of ordinary society, interference and temptations that touch one’s heart are everywhere. We must maintain the mindset of a Dafa cultivator under all circumstances, face any problem, and keep saving sentient beings as our main task. Only then can we walk the correct path of Dafa cultivation.

This is my understanding at my current level; please kindly point out anything inappropriate.