(Minghui.org) I have realized recently that when I study the Fa, I should simply read it with a calm state of mind. The elevation of my realm and additional understanding of the inner meaning of the Fa will then happen without any intentions. I should read the Fa with the same respect that I have when listening to Master’s in-person lectures.
Not long ago, I heard from some fellow practitioners about how we should study the Fa very carefully and “draw inferences about other cases from one instance.” The idea is that even though we cannot understand everything the Fa encompasses, we can see deeper meanings by reading the Fa and contemplating what it means.
I gave it a try. It helped me focus during Fa study, but I thought it was a little bit like how ordinary people studied theories. I was trying to find more inner meanings in the Fa. I have thought about this for a few days and finally concluded that this way of studying the Fa was not appropriate.
My current understanding is that Fa study is only a part of cultivation. We have to handle things and interact with other people according to the principles we have enlightened to during Fa study. We identify our attachments and remove them during tribulations. As we stabilize at one level, the Fa shows us guidance at and to the next level during our Fa study. If we haven’t achieved the realm that the Fa requires of us through solid cultivation, the next level guidance won’t be displayed.
When I study the Fa with the intent of drawing inferences about other cases from one instance, I see confirmation of my understanding everywhere in the Fa. Then, I think: “My enlightenment is good. Master has talked about this in many places.” By thinking like this, I am unknowingly looking for the part of the Fa that fits my understanding. This is a fundamental reverse. I try to look for my trivial understanding in the boundless Fa. At the same time, I reinforce my thoughts and think that my understanding is right and more thorough than others. My ego gets inflated.
Many Dafa disciples don’t pause when they enlighten to a certain level. Instead, they go straight to the next level according to Master’s arrangements. When you ask them to talk about their enlightenment at that level, they don’t know how because they have been advancing diligently and breaking through continuously.
As for those fellow practitioners who ponder on the same paragraph of the Fa repeatedly, they have a lot of understanding on their level. Out of their kind heart, they develop the attachment to help other practitioners with their understanding. Although they urge others to read the Fa more, they promote their own understanding to others. Some practitioners are imprssed by their understanding and start admiring such practitioners. Then those who are admired are trapped in their sense of achievement. Gradually, they develop zealotry and lose their humbleness. Their level is stuck or they slide down.
Regarding the state of mind during the Fa study, I think we should simply read with a calm heart, setting aside all we have enlightened to—it is like a drop in the ocean. If we enlighten to something, it’s good. If not, we are still assimilating to the Fa. This will simply do.
As for helping fellow practitioners, it is about urging one another to study the Fa more, behaving according to the Fa, and sharing the experience of doing the three things well. This is helping others and forming a one body. Many of us know the principles, but follow an ordinary person’s mentality once we encounter problems.
When “sharing” online, many practitioners don’t talk about saving people or doing the three things well as Master has instructed us. Instead, they spend a lot of efforts to help others who have lagged behind. Several practitioners lead the effort and praise each other. A group of practitioners follow and think they have benefited a lot.
The leading practitioner takes the follower practitioners to his individual cultivation realm. The followers feed the zealotry of the “leader.” When zealotry is overwhelming, the “leader” starts sharing “unique” things such as that his own mind intent can save a person. Has that person made the choice based on his own considerations? Such remarks obviously don’t align with the Fa. However, the followers don’t see that anymore. They think everything the “leader” says makes sense, and even look for support of the viewpoint in the Fa. The “leader” is responsible for causing these practitioners to deviate.
It is not only the problem of the “leader,” though. The followers have their own issues. We are all kings and lords of future colossal firmaments. We cannot aspire to be a sentient being in the paradise of another enlightened being. The way we cultivate should be that of an enlightened being that follows Dafa.
Those “leading” practitioners risk their own cultivation and stay online all the time to “help” other practitioners. It's not worth it! In addition, their Fa study is often interrupted by questions from other practitioners. Their elevation is impacted. Those “followers” haven’t thought of how they are affecting the “leaders.” For us, human emotions shouldn’t replace the cultivated rationality.
