(Minghui.org) I cultivated for a number of years in China and then got an opportunity to go abroad.
I experienced two sharply different cultivation environments. Under the brutal persecution, the environment was harsh and difficult. Most practitioners are able to do well under the pressure. With a more relaxed cultivation environment abroad, it is up to me to be strict with myself.
I became a full time marketing staff member in radio media shortly after I settled down. I continued my disciplined schedule. Besides the daily exercises at home, I still go to tourist sites to do one hour of exercise during my lunch break.
I memorized six lectures of Zhuan Falun while I was in China. This was interrupted for a while when I first came abroad, but I continued later on. Besides reading a lecture every day, I used every bit of time I had—walking, driving, and waiting in line—to memorize the Fa teachings, one or two paragraphs a day. I am about to finish the eighth lecture now. It made my daily sending forth righteous thoughts a lot easier, and I am able to do it according to the time schedule without problems.
Balancing cultivation and work
When I began working, I was very anxious in this unfamiliar land. I spent a lot of time learning about marketing. I made numerous calls daily to make sales appointments. Only after I put cultivation first did things start to turn around. I noticed that I was able to make a lot of appointments easily and, once we met, the negotiation and contracts also started to come in.
One day, I checked out a potential customer online. She was very interested in advertising on the radio and kept thanking me, as if she was waiting for me to call her that day. She quickly signed a large contract with us.
What I accomplished in one month was the sum of six months of work the previous year. I now have a deeper understanding of Master's words, “Pursue nothing and gain naturally.” (Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Europe)
Learning the Fa teachings and putting it into action
Master taught us:
“How many of you seated here can keep at ease when someone points at you out of the blue and berates you? How many of you can stay unruffled and search for the reason on your part when faced with others' criticism and chiding?” (Teaching the Fa in the City of Los Angeles)
Whenever I read this teaching, I would promise to Master that “I shall and I will.” I often want to bring awareness of the persecution in Cantonese to tourists. One day a practitioner lent me her recordings of “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party” and “Eliminate Party Culture.” She wanted me to copy them on my computer, but emphasized that I bring it back to her the next day so that she could use it to clarify the facts to tourists.
I happened to have something that I had to do the next day, so I asked another person to bring it back to her. Two days later, when I went there to do the exercises, she was upset with me and asked why I did not return her recordings, and asked me to fetch it right away.
I felt bad and went back to look for the recordings, but I could not help but resent the person who did not do it. I immediately realized that was interference. I was just about to get a big contract, and things were stirred up for a reason.
When I remembered my promise to Master, I calmed down. It was my responsibility to do it, but I had asked someone else to deliver it. The other practitioner was not able to carry out her responsibility either. I realized this was arranged to cultivate my sense of responsibility and cultivate away my laziness. I found the recordings and took full responsibility for my actions.
Everything and everyone I encounter teaches and tests me. With each situation the content might be different, but it reflects how much I am willing and able to look within, how much I believe in the Fa and Master, and how much I can cooperate and coordinate with others.
Sometimes things seem impossible to accomplish, but turn into a smooth process after I look within. I have cultivated for so many years, so I don't talk much about looking within anymore—it is the action that counts.
I realized that looking within is a reflection of one's state. No matter what I hear or notice, I find the inadequacy in myself and rectify it. Looking within is unconditional. Even if it is another person’s fault, a part of me needs to be rectified as well.
When I am able to do it this way, I no longer measure others with the Fa's standard and point out how wrong he or she is. I only look at my problem, and feel so much lighter and happier.
For example, when I tried to memorize the Fa teachings, I used to get upset if my children were noisy. Now I think it is time to test my ability to memorize even in a distracting environment. Then I quickly settle down and am not affected.
I feel happy and delighted on a daily basis. Everything I encounter is an opportunity for me to elevate and improve. I am grateful to Master for the opportunity to cultivate, to return, and to fulfill my vow.
This is my experience. Please kindly point out any shortcomings.
