(Minghui.org)
I began to practice Falun Gong when I was a student. At that time, I studied the Fa and did the exercises regularly. I often experienced how wonderful it was to study the Fa.
I graduated and joined the army, and at first I was unable to fit Fa study into the schedule. After three months, I was used to the schedule, and I was able to study the Fa and do the exercises.
However, after I left the army and started to work, I was assigned to out-of-town construction sites. I got so busy that I did not pick up a Dafa book for a long time. I only occasionally studied when I joined a study group or when I participated in a project. That went on for several years.
During those years, a thought often appeared in my mind when I opened my eyes in the morning: “How can I get back to studying the Fa on a regular basis?” I missed the times when read Zhuan Falun under a small desk lamp. I missed the feeling of immersing myself in the Fa.
I sometimes comforted myself. Thinking, “It's OK, I haven't forgotten everything I read. I can still measure myself against the Fa even if I don’t study it often.”
Master told us:
“There are also people who think: I am a veteran practitioner and there won’t be a problem if I do not study the Fa for a period of time. There is a problem; it doesn't matter how veteran you are, because the part of you that has been cultivated is already separated from you. Your gong that has been elevated to your original heavenly position will function only if combined with your righteous thoughts in the Fa. If you do not study the Fa and are away from the Fa, your gong cannot be mobilized, because that is Fa’s power.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2016 New York Fa Conference”)
He also said:
“But that said, there are indeed some people who don't study the Fa and just do the work. You need to do all of the three things. If you only do work and don't study, then it is a case of an ordinary person doing Dafa work. And an ordinary person who does Dafa work cannot achieve consummation; he can only build up merit. Building up merit, or blessings, means that the person will have blessings when reborn, but that is all, and he won't achieve consummation. Then wouldn't you say all of your efforts were for nothing? Is it acceptable when a cultivator doesn't cultivate? When you go to clarify the truth, only when your mind has stored up ample Fa will you be able to save people. That is when your words will have the power to move them.” (“Fa Teaching at the 2009 Greater New York International Fa Conference”)
I was very fortunate to have attended the 2013 Fa Conference in New York City and hear Master's speak. On the returning flight to Taiwan, when I was half-awake, I heard a voice ask, “It’s not easy to travel overseas. Do you have any wish?”
“If possible, I would like to return to what it was like when I just began to practice Dafa!” I silently answered. Deep in my heart, I wanted to change.
After returning home, I was as busy as ever and I could not find time to study the Fa regularly. I was very anxious: “I cannot continue like this. I am a practitioner who just heard Master lecture!”
In September, there was an accident at one of our construction sites. Nine houses next to the site were damaged, and the affected families protested. It was the first time in my life I had to face an angry, irrational crowd, a situation I had only seen on television news.
I was shocked. I kept asking myself, “What did I do wrong? Why am I facing such a big obstacle?”
I could not see any other alternative, so I turned to Dafa for a solution. That evening, I took the Dafa book out and started to read. I have never missed my daily Fa study since then. I read one lecture per day.
Master said:
“I'd say these are real problems. Some students show their attachments, but some students don't, they keep them inside and they're incredibly attached, and in the end they can't let them go on their own. The evil will make you more and more abnormal, and make you fall hard--so hard you'll never forget it for the rest of your life. That's how they do it, so don't get attached so much. Then when problems come up you ask Master what to do, but it's in fact caused by your attachments. Master will do something about it.” (“Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference”)
However, during that incident, I was like a seriously ill patient and hoped desperately that Master would take away the obstacle, especially when I had to face the protesting families and listen to all the blame every time I went to the site.
Although I had resumed my Fa study with an attachment of pursuit, it was still a positive step because I was studying the Fa and had decided never to give it up again.
Ten months later, the situation suddenly improved. Three of the nine affected families accepted our reconciliation. A year later, the rest of the families accepted settlements.
The more I studied the Fa, the more I wanted to study. Not long after I resumed Fa study, my cultivation improved, too. Three Dafa project leaders came to me to discuss the projects. On a media project, we were able to upgrade our equipment and software. Master was pushing us to go forward.
I am sharing some of my experience with regard to Fa study in the hope that I can help fellow practitioners avoid the same mistakes I made. All our ability and wisdom come from the Fa. We should never let up in our Fa study.
Please point out any shortcomings.
Thank you, Master! Thank you, my fellow practitioners! Heshi,
Category: Improving Oneself
