(Minghui.org) Editor's note: This article records what the author saw in his or her own realm of cultivation. It is for reference only.
A number of practitioners came to me recently and talked about the financial losses in their business ventures. I realized that this was a serious issue. After thorough evaluation of what unfolded around me, Master allowed me to see some phenomena behind these incidents.
The issues appeared to be all different, but they shared the same root cause: Violating the principles of the Fa.
The following discussion is based on my own observations. Please point out anything that is not in accordance with the Fa.
1) Making a Pledge for Dafa Projects
A practitioner came to see me several times and complained about his unsuccessful business. In his words, people in society all make money in the same business as his, but his didn't. He said that he and his business partners pledged to donate money to Dafa projects if they made enough.
I saw a big barrier impacting his business and a lot of interference from other dimensions. The majority of the interference was self-inflicted right after they pledged to donate money to Dafa projects.
If I told the practitioner what I saw, I didn't think he'd be able to resolve the problems. Instead, I suggested that we read Master’s lecture “Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference.”
After reading the lecture, he did not find the answer. So I suggested that he re-read the following paragraph:
“Some people say, 'I'm making plans to make a large amount of money so that later on it can be used for the Fa.' That far-off water might not quench the immediate thirst, but it's not wrong for you to plan some everyday-people things. You don't need to talk about making some amount of money to use for Dafa--you don't need to think about giving it to Dafa. If you want to talk about doing some big-time business, and make lots of money with that big business, you can leave it at that, (audience laughs) and you don't need to mention Dafa. That last part always sounds like a stretch to me. (Audience laughs) The reason is, I've told you that it's fine for Dafa disciples to make a lot of money, and you can do whatever type of work--that's not an issue. It's only that in everything you do, you need to follow your conscience and be a good person.” (“Explaining the Fa During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference.”)
He was still unclear what went wrong. I suggested that he memorize the entire paragraph. He began to realize that the above paragraph addressed his problems, but he still wondered why.
I myself did not fully understand the high-level meaning of Master's teaching, so I said to him, no matter whether we understand it or not, we should follow Master’s teaching.
Master said:
“Let each and every thing be measured against the Fa. Only then, with that, is it actually cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation”, Hong Yin)
I told him, “Only after you take action and follow Master’s teaching can you understand its true meaning.”
After he improved his understanding, he decided to put his mind on running a profitable business. He later told me that his business began to make money. He was happy that he found his shortcoming.
I reminded him not to forget the latter part of the teaching: “It's only that in everything you do, you need to follow your conscience and be a good person.” He knew as a Dafa disciple, that he had to follow his conscience. I could see potential interference to test his attachment to self-interest.
It was common to have the pledge in the history to “make money for Dafa.” However, such last-minute wishes in the Fa-rectification period experience a lot of interference. I see pursuit of self-interest in many such pledges.
Some practitioners tell others about their pledges, but really think that they will first make sure they have enough money to spend and then use the rest for Dafa. Such considerations are normal, but then one shouldn't talk about making money for Dafa. This is in itself a loophole that the old forces may seize upon.
The same situation applies to when practitioners have several businesses and pledge to dedicate the profit from one business completely for Dafa.
2) Most Businesses Run by Practitioners Lost Money in China
The old forces have arranged substances and factors to cause interference for every practitioner. Therefore, during the Fa-rectification period, Dafa disciples face much greater difficulties than ordinary people.
If all members of a company are practitioners, the compounding interference becomes a huge barrier, more than the simple sum of individual factors. This is because the group cultivation environment in the company is measured by a higher standard.
If fellow practitioners have trust in each other, businesses are supposed go better. But it also becomes the excuse of the old forces for causing greater interference. In addition, coordination among practitioners still had gaps. As a result, many practitioners' business ventures in mainland China lost their investments.
A root cause of this situation is human attachments among practitioners, especially with the boss. However, huge interference should also be considered. The interference tends to magnify practitioners’ self-interests, desires and greed. If all members can cultivate well, the interference can be eliminated. But if our mind is slightly off from following the Fa principles, a vicious cycle will begin.
I would like to offer my suggestion to practitioners in China: You may choose trusted fellow practitioners to form your core business team, but you should try your best to utilize the resources of non-practitioners. That will save Dafa resources. Let us remember Master’s teaching:
“Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts while the transformation of gong is done by the master.” (Zhuan Falun)
Your business performance does not rely on your employees. The most important factor is your virtue, your cultivation status, whether you walk the correct path, and your conduct and business principles.
As I see it, the evil influence outside of China is not as severe, and the barrier for practitioners’ companies is not as big. The main challenge is teamwork. As long as we follow rigorous processes, such as a good accounting system with checks and balances, resolve conflicts with Fa principles, and focus ourselves in our cultivation, then the evil factors do not dare to interfere.
(To be continued)
Category: Improving Oneself
