(Clearwisdom.net) Before I became a practitioner, I was an especially obstinate person. I would stick to whatever I believed. Sometimes I would insist on my way of thinking even if I knew it was wrong. I stubbornly held onto my notions and refused to accept the opinions of others. After I began cultivating Falun Dafa, I saw this weakness and realized it was a strong attachment, made of hard granite-like rock.
I resolved not to treat this granite rock as myself, not to let it bewitch me, and I gradually chiseled it away just as Master taught in Zhuan Falun: “preserving the good part and removing the bad part.”
Since there is good and bad in everything, I would distinguish the bad part that is holding on stubbornly to human notions and release it, opening my heart. Regardless of anything I encountered, no matter how upset I was by it, I refused to hold onto the bad part. I would judge whether each thing was in accordance with the Fa. If it wasn't, then I would remove it.
To avoid doing the wrong thing, I set a rule for myself: I will not go against the principles of the Fa and I am determined to change myself.
For example, when I was released from prison in 2001, I found the cause of the persecution I suffered. I had obstinately held onto human notions and the evil took advantage of them. I knew thereafter how I should cultivate myself, that is, pay attention to cultivating my xinxing; learn to look within in everything I encounter; and chisel away my granite-like attachments. I have come to realize that only when I cultivate well can I do the three things with a pure heart.
After I developed this clearer understanding of the Fa principles, I focused on cultivating my heart, striving to be compassionate from the bottom of my heart. I did not stick to formalities and tried to truly be kind to others. No matter how others treated me, I thought only of treating them kindly.
I share my understanding of this today because I see that many practitioners do not seem to grasp it, including veteran practitioners who have steadfastly persisted in cultivation despite the persecution. These practitioners are especially firm in their faith in Dafa. Some have even gone through many hardships and despite being persecuted many times, their persistence in practicing Dafa has been firm; they are remarkable.
I noticed some time ago that such practitioners and I share certain characteristics. However, they do not realize their shortcomings, nor can they take criticism from others. They are too attached to themselves. Their status is similar to that of the old forces who appear to participate in Fa-rectification, but in reality, harbor selfishness, and only want to change others, not themselves. As I understand it, this is why these practitioners are taken advantage of by the old forces; many have been persecuted on multiple occasions, thereby creating difficulties in saving sentient beings.
I can see that many fellow practitioners look within when they run into problems, and as such they are truly cultivating, yet nevertheless they did not dig into the root of their problems and only saw the human principles on the surface. Consequently, their attachments were not identified and removed at the core. We all know that nothing happens to a cultivator by chance. We must have attachments we need to get rid of. I think the solution is to truly see things from the perspective of others and cultivate compassion from the bottom of one's heart.
Master said:
“As I said, superficial changes are for others to see. Whether or not you can be saved depends on the change and ascension of your own heart. If change does not occur there, you cannot improve and nothing can be achieved.”
(“Dafa Cannot be Used” in Essentials for Further Advancements)
I always thought that the greatest obstacle to cultivation is not what comes from the outside or from another person. It is how one can break through one's various human notions. Once I understood these principles, I knew in which direction I should be exerting my strength.
Furthermore, I have observed that some practitioners who had calm personalities before they started cultivation might at first find cultivation easier than others. However, when they have shortcomings and face the evil forces, they waver in their faith in Dafa. Hence, there is good and bad in everything. If a practitioner does not see his own attachment, then he will not be able to improve in cultivation.
This is my personal understanding. I am restricted by my cultivation level, therefore, please kindly correct me if there is anything inappropriate.
