A Western Practitioner in the U.K.
The following is what I enlightened to recently about the relationship between cultivation and Fa-rectification. I am aware that my understanding is limited. Your thoughts and corrections are welcome.
Master Li says in Zhuan Falun, "We see in this universe a human life is not created in ordinary human society: the creation of one's actual life is in the space of the universe. Because there is a lot of matter in the universe, such matter can, through its interactions, produce life. In other words, a person's earliest life comes from the universe. The space of the universe is benevolent to begin with and embodies the characteristic of Zhen-Shan-Ren. At birth, one is assimilated to the characteristic of the universe." I understand that since I must return to my original self, which is assimilated to Zhen-San-Ren, and since I am here, during this most fundamental time when the Fa is being rectified, the two must be linked. My original nature, my original position in the universe must be in the role of protecting Dafa. Having deviated from this role, with the deviation of Fa, the only way to return is through Fa-rectification cultivation, Since my original position is as a particle protecting Dafa, my cultivation must be at this time when I can defend it, and thus enlighten to my original nature.
Different particles, beings, forms of existence in the cosmos play different roles/nature within the principle of Zhen-Shan-Ren, when originally created. Thus, after deviation, to return, one must cultivate the things one has lost, purge the bad things one has accumulated, to return to that original nature.
With many elements in the cosmos, once they deviate, perhaps their cultivation can be arranged at this time or that time, and though enlightening to their nature they can regain their original, innate purity and position and role within the boundless Dafa. However, if the precise role of that element of the cosmos is to protect Dafa, once it becomes corrupted, it could not return to it's original position in ordinary cultivation, since there would be no environment for it to re-assimilate it's original nature, unless Dafa itself was attacked, since cultivation must occur in the maze.
Thus for a being which plays a great role in protecting Dafa, once it deviates, it must cultivate at the time of Fa-rectification. The reason that we are here in this period of time is that we had deviated from this nature and must be rectified.
Master says, "Dafa is perfecting and harmonizing you while you are perfecting and harmonizing Dafa", so I think this relationship can be seen from another angle. If we are to try to understand from outside the realms of time, our original nature is a diamond-solid, indestructible element, which protects the universe. Manifested in time, this element will be able to play a fundamental role in rectifying the Fa. This is not to inflict a human notion of hierarchy on the Fa, just to understand that of all the elements in the cosmos, those, which protect the Fa itself, would be the strongest and most resistant to deviation.
Thus, the process of Fa-rectification is the manifestation of the indestructible, boundless universal Dafa in the realms of time. "Falun rotates forever." "Dafa is boundless." Fa rectification is the manifestation of the boundless power and indestructibility of Dafa. Thus as righteous defenders of the cosmos, our nature will manifest in the process rectification of Fa. Since we too have become corrupt and need to be rectified, it manifests as cultivation during Fa-rectification. All of which is within and is a manifestation of the boundless Dafa.
Jan. 5, 2001