(Clearwisdom.net) In October 2009, I began studying the Fa more thoroughly. My approach is very simple: I listen to the lectures Teacher gave in Dalian, Guangzhou and Jinan. With a group of young practitioners, I also read Teacher's books, including Zhuan Falun, Essentials for Further Advancement, and Hong Yin, and I study new lectures on my own. I have been studying for six to seven hours every day. After about eighteen months, I sensed Teacher's infinite grace, the unlimited power of Dafa, and the seriousness of cultivation. Over the years, Teacher has said many times that cultivation is up to ourselves. My own understanding is that all the principles we need to cultivate well are within Falun Dafa. As long as we study these principles, no tribulation, interference, or other problem can stop us from advancing. Of course, studying Dafa's principles is not just a formality. One must live by these principles in daily life.
After a while, I could sit in the full lotus position for more than an hour instead of just a half hour, and my xinxing greatly improved. For instance, I am more tolerant of others and I am not trying to change others as often. When a problem arises, I automatically look inward. I have less competitiveness, desire to show off, zealotry, and less attachments to time, comfort, ego, and other human notions. My physical body looks younger and rejuvenated. When sending forth righteous thoughts, my facial appearance used to be dull, and now it is kind and peaceful.
Through studying the Fa, one's character improves very fast. I have a new understanding of “One’s gong level is as high as one’s xinxing level ”(Zhuan Falun) and “holistic improvement and holistic upgrade.” (Zhuan Falun) When one's character improves, everything else improves, including the ability to understand the Fa, to be more tolerant and patient, and to have strong righteous thoughts. I believe righteous thoughts arise from studying Dafa's principles. Through Fa-study, I have gained a stronger faith in Teacher and the Fa. I also know that these principles can save all sentient beings because their power is unlimited. The more I study the Dafa principles, the more I want to study them. A practitioner can reap great benefits, and I feel Teacher's great compassion and infinite grace.
The changes I have experienced are the result of devoted, concentrated, long hours of studying the Fa. Otherwise, the improvement in my character would not have been so easy. For example, it was not until early this year, that my attachment to lust was completely removed. It took more than one year of intense study. During the process, many dirty thoughts surfaced in my mind, but gradually, the effect of those thoughts lessened, and now the attachment is gone. Another example is when I was attached to doing a job, all kinds of difficulties occurred. Teacher sent me many hints, but as long as I was attached, I was not able to complete the work.
Pressure was building up. It took me more than a year to rid myself of this attachment. I think human notions and evil spirits (arrangements by the old forces) being disintegrated caused the feeling of pressure. It was really the old forces experiencing the pressure, not me. If I had not focused on studying the Fa, I would not have known what was happening and would not have been able to disintegrate the arrangements.
Fa-rectification is in its final phase. Dafa practitioners are becoming more rational and mature, but the requirements in cultivation are also becoming more stringent. We have many more sentient beings to save. At this point, studying the Fa more and improving our character are of the utmost importance. This is the only way to do well and to accomplish what Teacher expects of us.
“The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts. ” (Drive Out Interference, Essentials for Further Advancement II)
Teacher has given us all the tools that we need to improve our character, overcome tribulations, eliminate evil spirits, and save sentient beings, but we can only attain these through studying the Fa. As a Chinese saying goes, “Sharpening the ax is not taking time away from chopping wood.”
The above is my own understanding about studying the Fa. Please point out anything that is improper.
