(Minghui.org) I used to think that I cultivated diligently. However, several recent events pointed out my serious loophole.
One elderly practitioner kept having xinxing conflicts and did not know how to resolve them. I talked with practitioner Fang about this and we both thought practitioner Hu who lived nearby could help.
Several days later, Fang told me that Hu had visited the elderly practitioner and helped her. “Thank you for telling Hu about this,” she said.
“I did not talk with her about it. She just came after I thought about it,” I replied.
At that moment, I didn't think much about it. When I thought about it later, I was ashamed of myself: Master is the one who is helping all of us and arranged for Hu to talk with the elderly practitioner. Why did I take the credit?
Master is taking care of each of us, much more than we know. We're only occasionally aware of it. As Dafa disciples, we should appreciate this in a sincere and humble manner. Otherwise, our egos and attachment to validating ourselves may cause us a lot of trouble.
In Essentials for Further Advancement, Master said, “Be careful: A Buddha will be shocked by such wild statements, intentional or not.” We have to take this seriously.
This issue was also pointed out to me through other things that happened. One day I had a car accident. With Master's help, I was not injured but my left foot swelled. Two days later, I went with another practitioner to distribute materials in the countryside.
On the way back, that practitioner praised me for walking very fast, “It seems you are not tired at all,” she said.
“Not only am I not tired, but do you know that earlier today I had to stand for about four hours during a practitioner's wedding?” I answered, adding how capable I was.
She became quiet, but I could feel my face turning red. I suddenly realized: Master is helping each of us to tell the facts to people, why do I want to show off?
This issue also surfaced many times when I told others about Falun Dafa.
I met a couple one day who were going for a walk. We had a good conversation and I told them lots of information about Falun Dafa and how innocent practitioners are being suppressed. The couple was moved and the wife was in tears. However, when I studied the Fa with other practitioners that evening, I kept feeling good about myself because I was able to talk to them so easily. I could not concentrate. Once again I was taking credit for my success without remembering that Master made all of the arrangements.
Another time I spoke with a coworker and she thanked me many times for telling her about Falun Dafa. I felt a surge of zealotry and I could not calm down for a long time. Again, I forgot about Master's help and arrangements, and I took all the credit.
In Zhuan Falun, Master said, “Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” Master has helped us so much and we must remember this. We must let go of our egos, zealotry, and attachment to showing off, otherwise our cultivation may be ruined.