(Clearwisdom.net) As the weather is getting hotter these days, it has meant that our office at work requires the air conditioning to be on constantly. The only problem is that the three air conditioners don't work properly and water from the cooling units leaks and the dripping water is collected in buckets, which require emptying several times a day. I was given the responsibility of emptying the buckets.
For the first few days, I didn't mind emptying the buckets, but later my thoughts began to change and I ended up thinking that it was unfair that I had to do it all the time. Why was I the only one responsible for emptying the buckets in the entire company? I was not hired to work as a janitor! My colleagues and I were all of similar standing in the company. Why did my boss select me to do this chore instead of my colleagues? Is it because I am too kind? Are they taking advantage of my kind nature? Every time I went to empty the buckets of water, I was worried about being seen. I was embarrassed to think I may be mistaken for a low-level employee. In the end, I felt annoyed every time I emptied the buckets.
After emptying the buckets the second time, while in a rage, I suddenly realized that this task must be Teacher's arrangement, and meant to eliminate my attachment to reputation. Before I started practicing Falun Gong, I thought my attachment to reputation was only a minor affair, as I tended to act on my own free will, with little regard to other people's opinions. Since practicing Falun Gong, I thought this attachment had been eliminated, but in actuality, my attachment to reputation remained hidden, and was not eliminated. Teacher's arrangement had exposed my hidden attachment to reputation.
For a cultivator, there is no such thing as coincidence. When we encounter things that upset us, it is time to upgrade our xinxing. As I searched inward to find my attachment to reputation I found another attachment - comfort. I found that I wanted to have a comfortable career with little responsibility. Teacher said:
"Everyone knows that it is not good when people suffer or you will not feel comfortable and good if someone bullies you. I am telling everyone that it is a good thing when one suffers a little pain and experiences a little hardship!" ("Lecture in Sydney")
This experience has helped reveal some of my attachments, and I finally realized that I still have a lot of attachments still there, so I thank compassionate Teacher for giving me opportunities to improve myself. Now I don't think it is unfair that I empty the buckets of water. In fact, sometimes I do it with a smile on my face, because I know it is an opportunity for me to upgrade my xinxing and improve. Although human attachments continue to surface and upset me, I stop feeling unhappy as soon as I remember Teacher's Fa.
It is Teacher that has created this precious time for us to cultivate. Why am I attached to these human notions? I am determined to get rid of them and walk my cultivation path well!
My understanding is limited to my present level of cultivation. Please kindly point out anything inaccurate.