(Clearwisdom.Net) In almost every lecture and article, the Teacher frequently tells us that we should study the Fa more diligently. Actually, our whole cultivation process is one of studying the Fa and cultivating our heart. By now, every genuine disciple has their own personal experience related to the importance of Fa study.
I obtained the Fa in August 1996 and I have read Zhuan Falun numerous times. In spite of this, I study the Fa even more diligently and earnestly because we are currently at a great historical time (refers to Fa-rectification - an unprecedented time in the history of the cosmos). As I continue to attain higher levels, I better understand the urgency of the time and the importance of seizing every moment.
We should study the Fa word-by-word. We should not treat Fa study as a formality, performing it like a daily routine task or job. One way I have found to increase my reading is to carry Zhuan Falun with me every day, reading it whenever I have time. As I continually read through the book, I feel it serves to help me progress. I feel that my cultivation advances, even at those times when I feel that I have not gained any new insight or understanding. Some practitioners say when they study the Fa, they feel as if they are a God who senses they have reached a greater realm. Each word permeates the origin and essence of their lives and they feel each cell within their body as if it were electrified.
My enlightenment to the Fa is renewed each day, as my Fa study reaches new levels. For example, the article "Coercion Cannot Change People's Hearts" says, "The evil has utilized the power in bad people's hands to create turmoil for nearly two years, using the most base actions ever in human history and employing all the most vicious means, be they ancient or modern, Chinese or foreign, to persecute Dafa and its cultivators. Its aim is to use coercive measures to change Dafa cultivators' hearts and have them give up their cultivation practice. This is futile."
It is indeed futile! In the past two years the evil has run totally rampant and continued escalating the repression. They have used extremely cruel measures to persecute Falun Dafa. Recalling each of these events, one at a time, I realized we had followed the Teacher closely and we have progressed through a difficult journey step by step. I continued to ponder the meaning of these events, until suddenly I enlightened to it and several words appeared from my heart: "Falun Buddha Law is Immense." While I watched these few words shining with boundless radiance, tears flowed from my eyes and I was deeply moved. I looked up, staring at it rising high into the sky towards the heavens. I was enlightened and understood that it is because of this huge tribulation (this time in which Dafa is persecuted) that people will see the magnificence of Dafa! I further understood Teacher's words, "At this great moment in history." How can the words of human language describe the magnificence of Buddha Fa?
Another example of cultivation practice can be seen through a specific instance where righteous thoughts were immediately effective. During the times when a brainwashing class was established with the intent to dissuade practitioners from their belief in Falun Dafa, everyone would write letters to the people in charge. With compassionate hearts we would clarify the truth and appeal to change their wrong behavior. In the past, I wrote letters and sent them out immediately, but never experienced any pressure, fear or anxiety afterwards. Except, this time, I wrote several letters to a few of the most malicious authorities, and afterwards began to have thoughts that caused me great distress. However, I recognized the nature of the forces behind these evil thoughts; therefore, I instantly crossed my legs [in lotus position] and held my right hand vertically, reciting the verse for Fa-rectification: "The Fa rectifies the Cosmos, the Evil is completely eliminated." I immediately felt my arms freezing cold and numb, and I felt extremely ill. But no matter what happened, I would not retreat. I resolved to remain strong and continue to send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil. After some time, the discomfort in my arms gradually faded. I knew that the evil factors had been eliminated.
When I opened my eyes, a miracle had occurred. I saw that the room was extremely bright. I was astonished because in the late afternoon (4-5PM) there is little light at the north side of the building where I live. It was also a gloomy and rainy day outside. But my room was illuminated -- several times brighter than when the sun penetrates the south side of the room in the early morning when it is sunny. I knew that the Teacher had presented this extraordinary sign to me in order to encourage me and make me understand the importance of sending forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil and save the sentient beings. It also eliminated my fears and made me active instead of passive.
Another example of progress with cultivation is that when I meditate, I first clear out the evil in my own body. I conceive the following in my mind, "From the extreme microscopic level to the extreme macroscopic level of my body, I only keep Dafa and a heart that is dissolved into Dafa, a heart that is diamond-solid and indestructible. I do not want to keep anything else; anything else must die!" I allow this thought to encompass everything. The effect is great. Another time after I sent forth the above thoughts, I added an additional thought, "I will just follow the path that Teacher arranges for me and completely deny any arrangement made by the evil force." Therefore I sent forth a thought that any evil which damages, shakes, or interferes with my righteous thoughts must be eradicated because it is wrong, warped, and filthy. "I am a practitioner, a particle of Dafa!" After this thought is sent, I instantly feel that I am infinitely tall and radiant.
Teacher said in the lecture at the 2001 Canada Falun Dafa Conference, "Why do you have an ability like this? It's only because you are a great cultivator that you have an ability like this. So when you send out that thought it couldn't have been sent by anyone but a great cultivator." At the same time, I saw the mutated factors in my body were wiped out. I became more positive that our righteous thoughts have great and limitless power. Our body and everything around us are changing enormously. Isn't this also a great change in matter?
Therefore when I study the Fa, I read each word very clearly. If any word is skipped I will read the sentence again and vow to never be careless. All of my attention is focused on the Fa, therefore when I read the Fa I forget everything around me and nothing can interfere.
This is some of my experience with Fa study. Please correct me and let us improve together.