(Clearwisdom.net) After reading the experience-sharing article "Put Ourselves Down" in the No. 392 issue of the Minghui Weekly, many thoughts crossed my mind. It was as if this article was talking about me. Yes, I have been walking on my cultivation path with this obstinate attachment hanging over me, the one that makes be think I'm better than others. Even when I get along with others, be it practitioners or not, this hidden and callous element exists in every one of my thoughts and governs all my impulses.
This notion reveals itself through my being self-centered, believing that I am right under any and all circumstances, persisting in my ways of doing things, and lacking respect for others. That is not all. This notion is the root cause for disliking others, taking note of others' shortcomings and imagining that I am greater than others. Other offshoots of that notion include enjoying criticizing others, yet never looking within myself. Although I sometimes praise others, I still consider myself better than anyone else. And let's not forget how I can become irrational at times and let this notion drive what I do.
We also need to consider that people who grew up in Mainland China are polluted by the Communist culture, which can change a person into something even worse. Even though the person is totally clueless, he or she still argues with others. It is just like Teacher described in Fa when the driver hit an elderly practitioner, jumped out of the car, and chastised her for not watching where she was going. Whenever people governed by these notions run into a problem, they will immediately blame others, even if they're at fault. Yes, there are a few of them that can realize that they are at fault. But far too many consider themselves always right and will not admit to any weakness.
After practicing Falun Gong, I recognized some of these attachments, and I changed a lot, but this attachment is deeply hidden. At times it showed itself when I refused to cooperate with other practitioners. In particular, when the practitioner is a teacher and is trusted and respected by students and parents, I obstinately refuse to cooperate.
Every practitioner has his/her own attachment. Some practitioners have a hard time understanding why there are some practitioners still strongly attached to "self" or are proud and conceited.
When practitioners with strong righteous thoughts clarify the truth and try to persuade people to quit the CCP, they can't understand why some practitioners are still fearful of the persecution, hide at home, and do not do what they can to save sentient beings. Practitioners that have no attachment to fame or self-interest find it strange that there are practitioners who still gamble and try to make a fortune. Indeed, these are all attachments that should be discarded.
What I'm trying to say with my rambling thoughts above is that practitioners with an attachment like mine will distance themselves from fellow practitioners and hinder Master's efforts to save sentient beings.
What should we do? One practitioner wrote an article about Americans educating their children from the time they were in kindergarten, teaching them how to socialize and get along with others. I have to begin from the level of a kindergartener, find fellow practitioners' good side, and encourage others more. At the same time I have to point out their weaknesses compassionately, so that we can be harmonious and indestructible like a diamond.
July 27, 2009
