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Doing Coordination Work Well in a "Supporting Role"

April 2, 2010 |   By Xianglian

(Clearwisdom.net) Ever since our local coordinator asked me to help with the coordination work, I have been thinking about the concept of the "whole body." As I see it, it's the coordinators' responsibility to consider how to enable every fellow practitioner to improve from the standpoint of the Fa, form an indestructible whole body, and keep up with Master's Fa-rectification as a whole.

I decided not to position myself as a coordinator, but rather to take on a "supporting role." I figured that a "supporting role" is an essential part of the coordination work, and an important factor for forming a whole body and improving together. As such, I do everything on the basis of cooperating with others and helping harmonize the whole body of local practitioners. When the local coordinator is already doing well with the things at hand, I work together with him to make things even better. When I notice some omissions in the coordinator's work, I quietly but proactively do what needs to be done.

Coordinators are also cultivators and it is inevitable that they'll also make mistakes. When we notice an omission, the key is how to play a good supporting role to best harmonize the situation. This way the omission will no longer be an omission and the Dafa work won't suffer a loss, nor will fellow practitioners be affected. For instance, once during the process of our rescuing a detained practitioner, our plan was somehow leaked to the police due to mis-coordination. Even though we encountered some trouble brought on by the police, we quickly corrected our mistakes and worked well with each other in our rescue efforts. In the end, we successfully got our fellow practitioner out of detention.

Whenever I notice some practitioners holding negative opinions of our local coordinator, I share thoughts with them in a timely manner. If it's just some misunderstanding, I help to remove it. Of course, if it's indeed the coordinator's problem, I will find an opportunity to convey other practitioners' opinions to him with kindness so he can look within and improve himself. Once I overheard a local practitioner talking to an out-of-town practitioner about our local coordinator; I then shared thoughts with this practitioner and suggested that he directly exchange his opinions with the coordinator and help him improve his coordination skills. Sharing to help each other improve is required of him by Dafa and also what he was supposed to do.

I also discussed with this practitioner regarding what would be the best way to handle any negative opinions he may have regarding the coordinator. I pointed out to him that if he had different opinions, it would be best if he would talk directly to the coordinator. Anything that could be resolved between the two of them should not be spilled over to other people. It would be best not to discuss with local practitioners any problems the coordinator may have. Issues among local practitioners shouldn't be spread to out-of-town practitioners. Even though we are all practitioners, we should still pay attention to the potential effects our words may have. Any discussion of practitioners behind their backs may bring about bad substances to their fields. As cultivators we should strictly cultivate our speech.

I strive to be a good helper to the coordinator. When I see anything that needs to be done, I bring it up to the coordinator. For instance, after noticing practitioners in a certain place of our local area doing very well in their Fa study and truth clarification, I suggested that we hold some experience sharing conferences in that place. We then arranged practitioners who hadn't stepped forward to take turns attending these experience sharing conferences. It turned out the experience sharing greatly inspired many of our practitioners. Those who didn't dare to step forward teamed up with those who have been doing well. They went out together to send forth righteous thoughts and clarify the truth. The effect has been very good, which further inspired us to establish Fa study and truth clarification teams.

We divided our area into four sub-areas, with two people in charge of each sub-area. After each practitioner was clear about the purpose of setting up such teams, he or she returned to his or her sub-area to arrange local practitioners to study the Fa and share experiences together. After everyone improved their understanding of the Fa principles, they formed groups and went to places close to detention facilities to send forth righteous thoughts. They also clarified the truth to people with predestined relationships. Those that had just recently stepped forward also helped send forth righteous thoughts. Some who used to be afraid of going out also joined the efforts. Very soon, the Fa study and truth clarification teams in some sub-areas expanded from two people to four, and then six. They then went ahead to organize those who had still failed to step forward. Now they often go out to the countryside in two-to-three-person groups to clarify the truth and have achieved very good results.

As per my suggestion, the coordinator also set up a few other teams, such as a writing team, mail delivery team, and information collection team. Regarding the mail delivery team, practitioners in each sub-area collected a list of names (and phone numbers if possible) of their local non-practitioners. We then exchanged such lists among the four sub-areas. Next, the person in charge of each sub-area distributed the list to different teams that would then clarify the truth to those non-practitioners. This way we avoided duplication and wasted resources, and have achieved good results.

I also make sure I let go of any fear and the attachment of self and do whatever is required of me by Dafa. Once the family of a detained practitioner wanted to hire a lawyer to defend their loved one, and we certainly have the responsibility to support such action. At that time, a lot of practitioners in neighboring areas were arrested and persecuted. Our local practitioners had no experience in hiring attorneys nor did we have any legal knowledge. It was a huge task for us.

Our local coordinator suggested that I be in charge of this task. I wasn't fazed even though I was unprepared. I just asked, "Do you think I can do it given that I know nothing about law?" The coordinator said, "Sure you can!" I then confirmed that I'd do it. There were only a few days left before the trial of the practitioner. I had to figure out which practitioners should go to the trial in addition to the practitioner's family members.

The detained practitioner's family asked for practitioners that had no fear and also suggested practitioners bring tape recorders and camcorders to the trial. Other local practitioners also said we should have more practitioners in the courtroom so they could help send forth righteous thoughts. Moreover, it would be a cultivation opportunity for many. However, when I first talked to the coordinator about this, we couldn't decide on who should go to the courtroom.

I soon thought about the fact that the evil was still running so rampant, which was evident from the arrest of many practitioners in other areas. In some areas, even the practitioners who were sending forth righteous thoughts outside the courtroom got arrested. With so many practitioners arrested, those areas had suffered a tremendous loss. I figured I couldn't risk the safety of my fellow practitioners and it would be enough that I myself accompany the family of the detained practitioner to the courtroom. Then if anything happened, I'd be the only one involved and thus the loss wouldn't be that huge. When it was time for the trial however, the authorities decided not to hold the trial as scheduled. In hindsight, it appeared to have been no big deal, but making that kind of decision was indeed a life-and-death test for me.

I have come to realize that as long as we let go of our attachment to life and death, everything is so natural and peaceful. When we relinquish our human notions and put Dafa, the improvement of fellow practitioners and the salvation of sentient beings as our top priorities, we play a good supporting role and do the coordination work well. We can then form an indestructible and harmonious whole body.