(Clearwisdom.net) After we have cultivated for a while, Teacher gives us new lectures, and points out our shortcomings as a whole, and enlightens our righteous thoughts. I am a little slow in understanding Teacher's lectures, and oftentimes my understandings and level only improve when Teacher points something out through his lectures. Therefore, whenever a new lecture or article is published, I always copy it by hand, and I also type it out on the computer as I study it. However, fellow practitioners and I were confused when we saw "Fa Teaching Given in Manhattan" and wondered why this lecture from Teacher had not been published until now. I calmed my heart and carefully read it.
I finally realized that many years ago, our compassionate Teacher had already pointed out many problems practitioners face at different levels. This lecture in 2006 is a "treasure chest" of hints as to how to solve problems we now face regarding cultivation. Next, I will share my understandings with fellow practitioners; please correct my shortcomings.
1. Eliminating jealousy, understanding other practitioners' paths of cultivation
Many practitioners in our area are heavily involved in various efforts to clarify the truth and validate the Fa. Sometimes, these practitioners' own cultivation got held up because they were busy with Dafa work. Hence, other practitioners would blame them for being too busy with ordinary people's affairs, and would publicly accuse these practitioners of not cultivating themselves well. They even believed that those practitioners "got acquainted with a lot of people, and gained a lot of goods" during Dafa activities, and were extremely jealous. As a result, the practitioners who had been doing Dafa work were gradually discouraged after being accused repeatedly, and they did not even want to share the Dafa materials they had made anymore.
I understand what Teacher has pointed out in this lecture "...any form in society could be adopted for cultivation." [...] "Then it becomes a matter of Dafa disciples figuring out how to best utilize this form that we have, and that is what amounts to walking this cultivation path well.". I believe that after reading this lecture carefully, most practitioners will have a better understanding toward the practitioners who do Dafa work. Only if we Dafa practitioners can put our hearts together and walk the path of Fa validation together, can we honor our ancient vows to help Teacher save sentient beings.
2. Taking responsibility, being diligent and sending righteous thoughts as one body
Teacher said in the lecture,
"...despite the fact that it seems like, with this relaxed approach to cultivation, there are no regulations, no commandments, no systems of rules, and nobody keeping you in line, the requirements are actually extremely high, for you must keep yourself in check and you must arrive at the standard by your own doing."
Thus, I remembered some interference that I had encountered with regard to sending forth righteous thoughts.
For instance, some practitioners from other areas asked us to send righteous thoughts toward an activity that was hosted by the Chinese Communist Party. I am very sleepy around twelve o'clock midnight. Sometimes I get lazy and go to sleep early and intend to get up later for righteous thoughts, but at times I oversleep. Why can't I overcome laziness? The key is, I did not recognize the importance of sending righteous thoughts as one body, and that time is very precious. If I had clearly understood the meaning of sending righteous thoughts and it's full effects, I would not have been lazy. Therefore, I hope fellow practitioners take the initiative and listen to Teacher's words to be diligent in the face of various interference. Then, Dafa practitioners all around the world would be able to truly send forth righteous thoughts and assist Teacher in the Fa-rectification.
3. Eliminating fear, clarifying the truth selflessly
Fear has always been an obstacle for me. I did not genuinely enlighten to the Fa principles, did not look inward, nor improve on many issues because of interference from notions I had formed after birth, and ended up following the arrangements of the old forces. Teacher said: "Calmly reflect on how many attachments you have/ As you get rid of human mentality, evil is naturally defeated" ("Don't Be Sad" from Hong Yin II). Cultivation is the cultivation of the heart; our way of cultivation is targeting the heart. Teacher cannot be more clear about the Fa. However, I did not cultivate well. I started late to persuade people to withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party. I am far behind fellow practitioners who are doing well in this area. Even now, I still have fear when I talk to people about withdrawing from the Party. However, I believe with Teacher's help, I can surely eliminate fear and advance forward in my cultivation.
