(Minghui.org) When recalling my cultivation path this year, I have remembered to resolutely walk the path designed by Master Li, to endure, and to think of others first when doing anything.
Importance of the Process – Not the Goal
It has been years since I tried to sit in the double lotus position. Most of the time I didn't get very far, gave up, and put it out of my mind for some time. However, I decided to try again and hoped to succeed.
I tried over and over again, but could not lift my left leg into position – not even for a minute. I kept thinking about it, and at some point asked myself what was I doing – maybe I was on the wrong track. I asked myself why am I trying so hard.
Then, I told myself that Master Li (the founder of Falun Dafa) said that ultimately we would succeed and sit in the double Lotus position – that's why I kept trying. I realized that there was a loophole – the selfish heart wanted to do well and be good – achieving something. However, what was the reason for doing the fifth exercise? Does it mean that we need a reason for doing exercise five, or endure suffering? How come I still can't sit in the double Lotus position? Was it because I did not want to suffer, did not want to persevere, or because I lacked forbearance?
I did not want to endure the pain that was caused by my karma, which was really my issue. Apart from suffering, the fifth exercise is to strengthen divine powers. I wondered what the connection between enduring suffering and the enhancement of divine powers was. Then, I asked myself, “What is a Buddha?”
Master said,
“Every Tathagata or great Buddha has his or her own paradise. Every great enlightened person constructs a paradise of his or her own, and many of his or her disciples live there.” (Lecture Five, Zhuan Falun)
“What does "Buddha's infinite grace" mean? Think about it, when a person is being saved, how much will the Buddha who saves him have to give? For all those beings in the infinite microcosms who correspond to the person, he has to--just like what's done during your cultivation process--adjust their bodies well at the beginning, allow them to obtain the Fa, make them able to handle it, and deal with their karma. What a huge, involved task that is!” (“Teaching and Explaining the Fa at the Metropolitan New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. III)
I understand that a Buddha is a protector of life, he is the Fa-King in his world. As he is in charge of a world, he can save sentient beings. Why can he redeem his sentient beings? Because he can endure suffering, and part with everything for his sentient beings. He can give up everything to protect life.
I realized that I should just sit and concentrate during the number five exercise for an hour. This will allow me to do the double Lotus position at some point in time.
It was amazing – when doing the exercises at the group practice site in the park, 40 minutes had passed when doing the fifth exercise, and the pain became almost unbearable. The pain came in waves, and I tried to persevere for a little longer. However, I wanted to put my legs down. Then, I decided to briefly open my eyes before putting my legs down. It was like an enchanted moment. I noticed the leaves were dancing on the ground and on the grass – it was a merry time. It was as if I was watching children play. I envisioned that my sentient beings were filled with happiness for my sitting here and suffering when doing the fifth exercise. I felt that this was encouraging me to persevere. Despite my sitting there with legs hurting unbearably my heart was filled with happiness for being able to suffer like that for my sentient beings. I noticed tears of happiness covering my face, and that Master was beside me. That day I could do the sitting exercise for an hour, and the suffering turned into joy. I felt infinitely light and free.
Notions are Substances Separating Us from the Fa
A fellow practitioner and I ran into conflicts before July 20. Specifically, she complained about and criticized me for doing things on my own, without asking for feedback, and thus kept making unnecessary mistakes. This in turn could interfere with the saving of sentient beings, as well as make Dafa look bad.
Her words and criticism felt as if I was being struck with daggers, which pained me, as well as pierced and hurt my heart. I felt unjustly treated, angry and for the first time started to argue with her. The second time I held back and looked within.
I knew that she was right, as I should cooperate with other practitioners – but I just could not change. Maybe, this was no more than an excuse. Should I tell her more about myself, and admit to my weaknesses? I told her that her criticism hurt me and it appeared to be condescending. I assured her that I would try to cooperate better going forward.
She said that she had not realized how she affected me. It was by no means to hurt me and she apologized. As I read her message it felt that a layer of bad substance was removed between us. Going forward, we no longer argued but discussed from heart to heart.
The focus had changed from the outside to the inside. Then I realized that I had a specific perspective of her. This perspective colored how I perceived her. However, this was not the truth and was irrespective of her cultivation state. It actually represented my true self.
Master said,
As a cultivatorOne always looks for one’s own faults’Tis the Way to get rid of attachments most effectivelyThere’s no way to skip ordeals, big or small[During a conflict, if you can remember:]“He’s right,And I’m wrong,”What’s to dispute? (“Who's Right, Who's Wrong,” Hong Yin III)
Suddenly I understood the meaning behind this Fa more deeply. It is all about that it does not matter who is right, instead, look within for one's omissions. It is all about having this kind of thinking, and look inward more quickly. The focus is not what is on the superficial level, on the issues one faces, but what needs to be eliminated, improved upon, or simply endured.
Clarifying the Truth in Austria
Given the lockdown, due to the pandemic, the urgency to awaken the conscience of sentient beings has taken on new heights. However, since the situation has improved I appreciate the opportunity to clarify the truth in person.
At the July 20 Information Day in Vienna, I was not only deeply touched by the practitioners' steadfastness and their belief in Dafa, but also by their determination to awaken the conscience of people. The heavy rain had stopped, which allowed a practitioner to set up the organ harvesting re-enactment two hours before closing down the information day.
Next, practitioners planned to set up an information booth in a city in the western part of Austria in August, as we had not been to this area for quite some time. I had kept this event on my mind but was not really interested, yet would still participate. Then, the possibility of the event did not seem possible because the responsible person no longer had time to organize everything. Besides, barely anyone else was going to be there.
Given this situation, my husband and I decided to go there, even if there were not enough practitioners to man an information booth. We could still distribute brochures. The organization was already part of the truth-clarification, and in the end we were allotted everything we needed. Besides, two days before the event two practitioners from Salzburg agreed to participate. Then the next day two practitioners from Voralberg and one from Vienna decided to participate.
Another problem was that the brochures were only ready on the day of the event. Then, rain was announced for the entire day of the event in Innsbruck. However, this did not deter me, and I was confident that things would work out. But, I kept sending righteous thoughts to eliminate the interference.
We had not visited this area for a long time, and the conscience of people needed to be awakened. I asked Master to help us, as many sentient beings would have the opportunity to come in contact with Dafa.
We were there from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It did not rain all day long, only after everything had been put in the car did we feel the first raindrops on our faces. It was a beautiful sunny day and many people were out and about. Many stopped at the information booth and positioned themselves well by signing the petition against organ harvesting.
Master said, “Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
Everything was arranged well. We just had to be there at the right time, and with the right mindset.
Many thanks, esteemed Master and fellow practitioner.
(Presented at the 2020 Austria Fa Conference)
