(Clearwisdom.net)
Achieving Group Cohesiveness by Looking Inward
Teacher said,
“That is because the Fa is the foundation; it is what's fundamental for Dafa disciples; it is what ensures everything; and it is the avenue by which a human being journeys toward godhood. Thus I would like to take the opportunity of this Fa conference in Australia to tell all Dafa disciples around the world: Whether you are a new or veteran student, all the same you must not neglect Fa-study on account of being busy. ("To the Australia Fa Conference")
A group of coordinators brought together several small Fa-study groups and invited practitioners who had not stepped forward to join the group. Everyone in the group was encouraged to be actively involved in Fa-study and share experiences based on the Fa, so that our xinxing would improve. This was done so that everyone felt involved and had the opportunity to take part in each project, including setting up material production sites.
At one point, we were of different opinion as to how to help a practitioner who suffered from severe sickness karma. Practitioners argued about the problem without reaching a decision. I was only listening and didn't express my thoughts on the subject. They approached me later and made unkind remarks, "As a coordinator, do you know how to cultivate? Do you understand the importance of a life? Do you know how to look inward?" Practitioners complained amongst themselves and some even complained to out-of-town practitioners.
Teacher said,
“If you can manage to handle things calmly no matter how wronged you may feel, if you can remain unmoved and not try to come up with some kind of excuse for yourself, then with many things you won’t even need to argue. That’s because on your path of cultivation there is nothing that is by chance. So, when you get into a heated exchange and it stirs things up in you, or you get into a conflict over something that concerns your vital interests, perhaps the factors behind it were put there by Master.” ("Fa Teaching Given in Manhattan" -- March 26, 2006)
Teacher's words were imprinted on my mind. I was listening to their worries and at the same time looked inward to find what attachments I needed to remove. What they said was not wrong, because this was said for safeguarding the Fa and for the well being of practitioners. After listening, I calmly told them my thoughts, which didn't sit well with them, either.
After arriving at home, I felt very uncomfortable. I told my husband about what had happened. He wasn't surprised and said, "You deserved it because you got involved with too many things." Suddenly, I became muddleheaded and thought, "I've been doing everything possible for the Fa-rectification, and instead I ended up being criticized." As soon as this thought appeared, I became aware of a human notion. I was bargaining with Dafa.
At this moment, our toilet started leaking, giving me another hint that I had gaps. When looking inward, I found lots of attachments. First, I was too attached to self, unable to accept others' opinion and sticking to my way of doing things — selfishness was the problem. Secondly, when coordinating, I often started doing things without consulting fellow practitioners, thinking that it was no big deal — arrogance was the problem. Lastly, I set myself above fellow practitioners, believing that they had too many human notions and didn't look within. Once I realized my shortcomings, our toilet started working fine again.
On the following day, I went to see the practitioners whom I had argued with. I told them about my shortcomings and said that they should continue to point them out so that I would be a better coordinator. Teacher said,
“It's just like when this fist goes out--it's strong when everyone is clenched together.” ("Fa Teaching at the 2009 Greater New York International Fa Conference," June 7, 2009)
After our discussion, everyone looked inward to find their shortcomings, so that we could form one body, and thus be able to do the three things better.
Clarifying the Facts about Falun Dafa
After being released from prison, because I refused to be “transformed”, my former bosses called me every other day to harass me. Studying the Fa diligently helped me realize that it was interference by the old forces. This was a great opportunity to explain the facts about Falun Gong to my former bosses. I went to see them and told them about the preciousness of Falun Dafa, the changes I had experienced in my mind and body, the staged self-immolation on Tiananmen Square, and about the eighty million Chinese that have been killed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
I told them that there was no law that justified the persecution of Falun Gong. There are no so-called documents. Everything is verbal and doesn't stand up to scrutiny. It is all illegal. I also told them about the principle, "Good is rewarded with good and evil is met with retribution," I asked them not to be the CCP's scapegoat, and I explained that whoever treats practitioners well, will be rewarded with a bright future. They accepted my words.
One day, one of my former managers asked me if I still practiced Falun Gong. I said, "Of course, I still do. It is such a great practice. It teaches people how to be good. Such a practice is hard to come by in thousands of years." I asked him, "What do you think about Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance?" He said, "It's good." I asked him to remember "Falun Dafa is good" and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good." He said he would. During the Chinese New Year festival, I brought him a couplet made by a practitioner. He gladly accepted it, thanked me, and told me to be careful.
One day, a former manager called me, asking me to come and see him. Immediately I thought of saving him. On my way, I sent out strong righteous thoughts that I must save him today, and I asked Teacher to help me. As he wasn't in his office, I told one of the colleagues a cultivation story. Then he arrived. I said, “I know that you have been protecting me. I really appreciate it very much. But, today I must tell you that if you want to have a bright and safe future, you must withdraw from the CCP and its related organizations. Please don't go against Heaven's will. You can use an alias and I have chosen one for you. If you agree, you just nod your head, and it'll be done. Gods will see what is in your heart.” He not only nodded his head, but also shook my hand emotionally with tears in his eyes, unable to say a word. One more life was thus saved.
Helping Practitioners Struggling to Cultivate
Practitioners A and B were arrested and taken to a brainwashing center. Because they missed their children, they signed a document stating that they would renounce Falun Gong. After their release, they were depressed and no longer cultivated. We were determined to help them to cultivate in Falun Dafa again. We looked inward to understand why this happened in our area, and we exchanged our ideas based on the Fa. We decided to disintegrate the persecution by the old forces. Then, we had to understand their feelings and regrets. Lastly, we looked for practitioners with a better understanding of the Fa to talk to them. The practitioners needed to understand Teacher's compassion. They needed to know that sentient beings were waiting for us to save them, and about our vows when coming to the earth. It was important for them to hear about the vows we made to wake up others after they got lost and help bring them back to the right path.
It took some discussion with these practitioners before they admitted, "Really, living is no better than dying; We regretted deeply that we weren't able to walk a righteous path. This all happened because we had not cultivated diligently. We have been feeling unworthy of being practitioners, unworthy of being your fellow practitioners, especially more unworthy of being disciples to such a great and compassionate Teacher." We told them, "Teacher will not forsake you. The most important thing is your heart. Teacher wants to save everyone." Finally, they were ready to return to Falun Dafa and to doing the three things.
When helping practitioners A and B, we discovered many human notions and our own deficiencies. I knew the two practitioners well. We had gone to Beijing together and were detained. I had seen their attachment to fear, wanting to be comfortable and watch television, and wanting to be involved in social activities, but I remained silent. I had not helped them before and was not responsible for fellow practitioners as required by Teacher. I was being selfish, but now I am determined to change.
Balancing Family Life and Cultivation
My 70-year-old husband and I started practicing Falun Dafa in 1998. He suffered alongside me when I didn't do well due to pressure from my workplace and our children's misunderstanding when I was detained. After I was released, we joined a Fa-study group for two hours daily and shared cultivation experiences. We talked about what cultivation meant to us and what it meant to be practitioners in this Fa-rectification period, including a practitioner's mission and responsibility. Gradually, he voluntarily shouldered some Falun Dafa projects. He learned how to use a computer and then patiently taught other elderly practitioners. He also took over some of the household chores.
We also had some friction. It generally was that I didn't explain clearly as to what should be done, so we fell behind in our schedule. I blamed my husband for not being a good coordinator and thought his attitude was bad. What I said immediately angered him, and he was ready to move out. I calmed down and told him that I was sorry and it was all my fault. Things began to go smoothly from then on.
When finishing this article, I saw a tiny little colorful, golden Falun spinning at the tip of my pen. I realized that Teacher was encouraging me. Both my husband and I will continue to be diligent practitioners with deep gratitude for all that our great and compassionate Teacher has done for us.
Thank you Teacher! Thank you fellow practitioners.
Heshi!
