(Minghui.org) A friend of mine told me about Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) in 2008. It was the first time I heard something positive about the practice! Due to the deceitful propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the many years of atheism-oriented education I had received, I did not have a good impression of Falun Dafa. Later, this friend recommended that I read the book Zhuan Falun. I then read all 40 publications of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.
Although I was an educated person, I was completely shocked after reading those books! I realized that this author was by no means an ordinary person. Only a God could write a book with such profound ideas. I found all the answers to questions that had confused me for over 20 years. I found a direction in life and decided to cultivate Falun Dafa!
Not Moved by Profit
Before cultivation, I had strong attachments to fame, profit, sentimentality, and loss and gain. My first test was to remove my attachment to personal gain.
I work in the government and have some influence. Before I started practicing I would often obtain extra income inappropriately. I managed about 17 subordinate companies. I used to receive cash and gift cards during the holidays from all the companies. It was indeed a huge temptation for me!
As a practitioner, I knew that the attachment to profit had to be eliminated. From studying the Fa, I understood the principle of "No loss, no gain." (Lecture Four of Zhuan Falun) As a true practitioner, I should conduct myself in accordance with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and should not be moved by personal interests.
Thereafter, I often declined their “gifts” politely. I would also find a chance to return gifts that were left in my office drawer. I often told these supervisors why I could not accept them. They were happy to receive the returned gifts after knowing my objection. Over the years, I have declined and returned a large amount of cash and gift cards.
Being a Good Person
A majority of my colleagues are young people, and most of them obtained their jobs by inappropriate means. They did not do much work except surfing the Internet and watching soap operas during their shifts. They also used inappropriate language. This behavior was the norm.
As a Dafa practitioner, I knew I should be self-disciplined and not be affected by bad influences. I made up personal rules to not surf the Internet online during work and to not pay attention to my colleagues when they were hanging out together and swearing. During my spare time, I only read and studied the Fa.
There is a free buffet at work. The employees often take extra servings home for dinner. There is a limit of one fruit serving per each employee, but everyone takes more than their share when nobody is looking.
There are eight people in my office, and we take turns cleaning the office. However, the vast majority of people pretend not to be aware of having to fulfill their employee responsibilities. Their coworkers are afraid of offending others and do not remind each other when it's someone's turn. Therefore, the supervisor is usually unable to execute the cleaning schedule, even after repeated reminders.
After practicing, I have constantly upgraded my xinxing. Nothing is trivial in cultivation. I often fill my stomach with just one serving. Sometimes, my colleagues would advise me to take more for the afternoon. I would generally smile or say a few words so that they can understand why I do not. When it is my turn to clean up the office, I often come early and do a thorough job.
In one of the subordinate companies, a young man was responsible for reporting their business data to me. The data he submitted was often inaccurate. I had to ask him to redo his work, which made extra work for me. My department chair repeatedly asked me to replace him, but I often replied that it was not easy for a young man to find a job, so I gave him a chance.
One day, I met with this man and told him, "You did not do a good job. I hope you can take this job more seriously. If you do not understand something, do not hesitate to ask me, but you have to do a good job. The department chair has often asked me to replace you, but I did not agree. I understand you, I hope you can understand me as well." He thanked me many times, and promised that he would work hard.
He made improvements, but still often made mistakes. Whenever he did, I tried to remain calm and patient and asked him to correct them. I showed him a Dafa practitioner’s compassion. As a Dafa disciple, I should be considerate of others, treat everyone around me with compassion, and forgive their faults.
Once, we went for a ride. He said that I was the best person he had ever known, and that everyone in their company was very impressed with me. I told him the truth about Dafa, and he quit the CCP. He has since been rewarded with blessings. A year later, he got married and had a child.
Cultivating Myself in Life
I was very gifted when I was young and gradually developed a superior attitude toward others. My shortcoming of being unable to accept criticism was detrimental. I would be furious when others criticized me. But after beginning cultivation practice, I realized that a refined person is usually humble and tolerant, and accepts others’ opinions.
After realizing my problems, I began to work hard in those regards. I tried to smile, speak slowly, and listen to others rather than talk endlessly. In the face of sudden accusations and complaints, I tried to maintain a calm and peaceful state of mind, and offer appropriate explanations rather than fight about right and wrong.
Once, a family member quarreled with me over something trivial. When I advised her not to do it, she was furious and ended up swearing at me. I was very angry, but immediately realized that it was meant to improve my xinxing and to eliminate my attachment of not accepting criticism.
So I quietly listened to her scold me without saying a word. Later, she stopped talking and realized that she had gone too far and started talking to me nicely.
That same evening, when I was practicing meditation, I experienced the beauty of the practice; the more I practiced, the more comfortable I felt. I understood what Master said, "...one’s gong level is as high as one’s xinxing level." (Lecture Three in Zhuan Falun)
One time, I went to buy some vegetables after work. I gave the vendor one hundred yuan and received 96 yuan in return. When I returned home, I found a counterfeit bill. I did not go back to see him because everything happens for a reason, nothing was accidental. It must be a hint to eliminate my attachments!
I received counterfeit money, which might have meant that my words or deeds were not in line with the principle of truthfulness. Then I recalled that I told a friend about treating him to dinner. Although it was casual talk, I did not mean it. I should keep my promises! The counterfeit money served as a reminder for me to make up for this meal.
In addition, there are no unjustified grievances between people. Some are very complicated. Maybe I owed this person in my previous life, and I was paying him off now. So I shredded the 20 yuan counterfeit bill.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to Falun Dafa and Master Li (its founder). I will cultivate diligently and cherish every opportunity to upgrade my xinxing. I will treat everyone around me with compassion and display a Dafa practitioner’s good qualities of sincerity, kindness, and patience.
Category: Improving Oneself
