(Minghui.org) I'm a practitioner from India and would like to share some of my cultivation experiences.
Following a Higher Standard
During my troubled times, many years ago, a distant relative of mine loaned me a large amount of money at a nominal interest rate until the time I was to return it. I paid the interest for about 18 months; however, as other priorities took over and because of my selfishness and the prevailing situations then, I stopped paying the interest later on.
Being an ordinary person, I behaved purely selfishly and took advantage of the situation. I only paid him the total principal amount in installments and then told him that I cleared what was due.
Our respected Master says in Lecture Nine of Zhuan Falun:
"Instead, the enlightenment quality of a smart person is not good, because a person who is overly smart will only do superficial work in order to be appreciated by his boss or supervisor. In that case, won’t the actual work be done by somebody else? Accordingly, this person will owe others. Because he is smart and knows how to please others, he will gain more benefits while others will suffer more losses. Because he is smart, he will not suffer any losses, and neither will he easily lose anything. Consequently, others must suffer losses. The more he cares for this tiny bit of practical gain, the more narrow-minded he becomes, and the more he feels that material gains of everyday people are something he cannot let go. So he will then deem himself very practical, and he will not suffer any losses."
Later, I was fortunate to become a practitioner of Falun Dafa. Afterwards, I became restless in my mind because of my selfishness and my taking advantage of him by not paying the interest. I decided to change my nature, so I went to his far-away city and met him. I told him about my intention of paying the interest, though the issue was very old. He was gracious and told me to pay whatever amount I felt like.
Accordingly, I kept paying the interest amount until recently. As the exact due interest amount was difficult to determine since the issue was more than ten years old, there was an opportunity for me to again take advantage. I took it as a test for me to relinquish my selfish nature. So recently, I wrote to him and requested that he tell me the exact interest amount. However, he replied saying that he wouldn't suggest an amount and asked me to pay whatever I felt was right. He also mentioned the following in his email: "I appreciate your intention to repay the interest. That is a very nice gesture on your part, as many people I've helped had no such intention."
I responded explaining that I am a Falun Dafa practitioner and must be careful not to take advantage of others. I also told him that I would pay interest equal to the principal amount, and immediately started repaying the interest. I thanked our Master many times in my heart.
I humbly thank our Master for having brought such a change within me, and for guiding me to do things in a righteous way and not be selfish.
Following the Course of Nature
During the course of cultivation, I've faced different critical tribulations almost daily, which are the result of my karma. They are difficult to overcome and sometimes overwhelming.
I recently enlightened to some things that have helped me greatly. I should firmly believe that Master arranges everything and I must follow the course of nature by totally adhering to Fa principles with unshakeable faith in Master. I also must make it a point to do the three things daily. This helped me immensely, and I am no longer overwhelmed by any large or small tribulations.
Once I started changing from within, I became more confident and now feel any hardship can be overcome with Master's protection.
Falun Dafa has also helped me do well in my work. One supplier commented to everyone present at a meeting that he knew I wouldn't cheat as I was a Falun Dafa practitioner. I know that most of the other suppliers also feel this way. This position that I enjoy is only because of the grace of our beloved Master.
Participation in the Millet Festival
I followed a hint from Master and went to Home Science College and met a professor there. I was not aware that she had retired from the college recently. I introduced Falun Dafa to her and told her about the brutal persecution in China. She was moved to tears upon hearing about the Communist regime's brutality toward the peaceful practitioners.
She immediately contacted her supervisor and helped get us a free booth at the Millet Festival. The three-day exhibition was held by the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, sponsored by the Andra Pradesh government. I realized then that it was a perfect arrangement by our Master. More than 20,000 people attended the festival.
It was a great opportunity to introduce Falun Dafa to the public and raise awareness about the persecution. The state Agriculture Minister and many other political leaders and officials visited our booth. At the end of the exhibition, they gave us a certificate of participation.
Heshi to Master.
Category: Improving Oneself
