(Clearwisdom.net) I have observed a few things in our local area which remind me of an issue related to cultivation: some practitioners think that studying the Fa equates to cultivation in its entirety. I would like to share my understanding on this point.
Whenever we encounter a problem, for example, when we were persecuted or interfered with, we usually say, "Let's study the Fa more." When we run into problems making new materials or clarifying the truth, we also often say we need to study the Fa and do the exercises. Actually, after all the hardship we've endured in the last several years, we have all come to realize the importance of Fa study. In terms of Fa study and doing the exercises, many people have indeed done quite well. They have not neglected Fa study and the exercises for even a single day. They have also done a good job in truth clarification and coordination, and have had a positive influence in our area.
However, we still have conflicts stemming from various interferences and attachments that we have not yet removed. Through sharing, we are able to recognize that only when we study the Fa and improve on the Fa, can we break through and clear away interference, and eliminate human notions and attachments. However, some problems seem to repeat themselves, causing interference to the whole group. Part of the reason was that certain practitioners regarded Fa study as the only component of cultivation.
It is necessary to study the Fa. While studying the Fa, we are also improving. Then in our daily lives, shouldn't we also cultivate our hearts then, just as we do when studying the Fa? In our daily lives, at our workplace, or when clarifying the truth, we should use the Fa to judge the issues we run into and examine our own hearts. If we aren't able to do this, what is the use of our studying the Fa? When we are persecuted or interfered with, or when we have a xinxing problem, we can't just gloss over it by saying "Let's study the Fa more." If we don't truly cultivate ourselves, we are not cultivating at all. Teacher said,
"I often find that you are in a good state of mind when you study the Fa or do the exercises, but when you come into contact with your work or other people, you become the same as everyday people. You sometimes seem even worse than everyday people. How could this be the conduct of a Dafa disciple?" ("Environment" from Essentials for Further Advancement)
Actually, many problems we run into while clarifying the facts and during cultivation are caused by our lack of attention to details. However, when the problems become greater, we believe that they were caused by inadequate Fa study, as though Fa study and cultivation were the same thing. By doing this, we have not really cultivated our hearts. Simply put, this is a misunderstanding of what it means to study the Fa.
In "Learning the Fa" and "What is Cultivation Practice?" (Essentials for Further Advancement) Teacher already told disciples what to do. Our cultivation is not just demonstrated in Fa study and the exercises. For example, when we purchase supplies for the material center, when we repair computers, when we work on layouts of flyers, when we make and deliver materials, when we browse the Internet, and when we clarify the facts, we should all act like Dafa practitioners. When we share our understanding during a Fa conference, we should pay even more attention to our hearts. We should use the Fa as a yardstick to measure others' opinions or suggestions, the things we are doing now, and our own hearts. We need to pay special attention to our speech and actions.
Anything that we encounter in our daily life that moves our hearts offers an opportunity for cultivation, regardless of whether it comes from the outside or from inside ourselves. If we slack off on our understanding about these problems, and do not pay attention to this attachment, thereby not casting aside these last human notions and ways of thinking, it will affect how we do the three things. We not only need to stress Fa study, but also need to be very cognizant of our thoughts, words and deeds in our daily lives, and not slack off on our personal cultivation and improvement. Just like Teacher said, "Accomplishing is cultivating." ("Solid Cultivation" from Hong Yin)
