(Minghui.org) I've read a few articles in the last few days regarding the importance of doing the exercises. At first I didn't pay much attention to them. I knew it was important to do the exercises, yet I just couldn't follow through, and felt quite dejected.

I started keeping track, and recorded which exercises I did each day, in order to guarantee that I completed them, but over time it didn't work. I couldn't understand what was blocking me. I just sighed and figured that my willpower and wisdom were lacking.

I nonetheless felt that there was a specific reason for my not diligently doing the exercises, but I couldn't figure out what it was. Was it because I was lazy?

Recently while studying and memorizing the Fa, I suddenly enlightened, “Deep in my bones, I haven't fundamentally changed the notion of why I do the exercises.”

Subconsciously, I have always associated being healthy and being without pain or discomfort, with practicing the exercises. On the surface, I did the exercises when I felt uncomfortable, and actually felt that Master was reminding me at those times. I didn't feel like doing the exercises when I felt OK. I used excuses, such as that studying the Fa was more important, or doing the three things doesn't specifically mention the exercises. Or more mundane excuses such as I'm busy now, time is tight, etc.

I thought about how diligent many elderly practitioners are, and how younger practitioners don't often emphasize doing the exercises. Isn't this the same notion at play?

Don't elderly practitioners practice more because they aren't as healthy as younger practitioners? Isn't having a healthy body the main reason interfering with younger practitioners doing the exercises and therefore overlooking their value?

In short, I've connected the exercises with being healthy. Sometimes when I clarify the truth about Falun Gong I mention the health benefits that I've received, and although this is important information to share, tacitly I've unwittingly come to regard the exercises as a guarantee of good health.

So what is the purpose of doing the exercises?

Master said,

"Falun Dafa is also a cultivation practice of mind and body, and it requires exercises. On the one hand, the exercises are used to strengthen supernormal abilities. What is 'strengthening?' It is the reinforcement of your supernormal abilities by your powerful gong potency, thus making them progressively stronger. On the other hand, many living beings need to be developed in your body. In high-level cultivation practice, the Tao School requires the birth of the Immortal Infant (yuanying), while the Buddha School requires the Vajra’s indestructible body. Furthermore, many supernatural abilities must be developed. These things need to be developed through the physical exercises, and they are what our exercises cultivate. A complete cultivation practice of mind and body requires both cultivation and practice." (Zhuan Falun, Lecture One)

Teacher has taught that the movements strengthen supernormal abilities, and that many living beings need to be developed in the body. Nowhere is it mentioned that the exercises are for maintaining health.

I don't know how many times I've read this section of Zhuan Falun, but I finally understand the reason for my inconsistency, “I haven't understood the meaning behind the exercises.”

A cultivation practice of mind and body requires both practicing exercises and cultivating your xinxing, or moral nature. Exercises are only one part of cultivation. There is more profound content. How could I be so presumptuous as to assume that the exercises aren't important?

I no longer feel lazy when I practice the exercises. I've enlightened to the understanding that exercises are part of the practice of Falun Dafa, and since I'm a practitioner I should comply with the requirements of Dafa.

I feel much calmer now that I'm doing the exercises. I realize that doing the exercises diligently is not for the purpose of feeling more comfortable or maintaining health, but rather is a requirement of the Fa. Much like a student who needs to do homework every day, shouldn't a practitioner likewise perform the exercises every day? Shouldn't I be doing them?

When I understood this, I felt more comfortable after I finished the exercises. I felt that due to the pursuit of comfort, I hadn't been diligent. This is the mentality of someone who doesn't practice Falun Gong.

In addition, if there is a hidden pursuit of curing illness mixed into the practice, can illness be cured?The body becomes healthy after raising xinxing and Master eliminates karma. It is Master who does everything. Furthermore there are elements integral to the practice. Are you able to endure the pain? Are you able to persist?

I know that I can be diligent now practicing the exercises after understanding the Fa principles. This is what I enlightened to while memorizing the Fa. Please point out anything inappropriate on my part.