(Minghui.org) Though Fa-rectification seems to be in its final stage, some fellow practitioners are still not looking inward when facing a conflict. They still want to find a cause outside of themselves. They have missed many opportunities arranged by Teacher to improve their character. Not able to move past conflicts means they are not keeping pace with the Fa-rectification. Hence, they are impeding both the saving of sentient beings and the Fa-rectification.
In our local area this problem is quite prominent. Even some coordinators also have this problem. A recent incident reminded me very clearly that the real solution is to change ourselves.
My wife and I were operating a small store selling biscuits. Two customers bought two biscuits costing sixteen yuan. After they left, they returned after a short while. One of them claimed that they gave me an extra fifteen yuan and would like to have it back. I didn't remember taking any extra money from them.
At this time more customers had entered my store and this man would not accept my explanation. I realized that I must not be attached to benefits or argue with everyday people. Therefore, I gave him what he demanded. Still, he was angry. But, by this time, the other man noticed that the fifteen yuan was left on my booth. It was embarrassing for him to realize that they did not give me the money, but he handed over the fifteen yuan to me. This conflict was resolved after I changed my thinking to align with the Fa instead of continuing with normal human arguments.
It is clear to me that every time there is a conflict, there is also an opportunity to improve our character. We should not try to resolve the conflict the human way, but to realign our thinking with the Fa. After we have changed ourselves, Teacher will resolve the problem for us.
In the past, whenever I encountered a problem I claimed that the other practitioner failed to align with the Fa. This is a violation of the Fa, because I was looking outside myself for a solution.
For cultivators, the issue is to improve our character by changing ourselves regardless of who is right or wrong. I believe that the desire to change others is arranged by the old forces. In order to avoid following their arrangement we must change our thinking to look within ourselves for solutions. Didn't we decide not to follow the arrangement by the old forces?
Fellow practitioners in our area hope that everyone, including those responsible for coordinating Falun Dafa activities, will focus on changing ourselves instead of others. This is the only way to truly resolve problems.
Why has the period of Fa-rectification been prolonged? I think the reason is because many of us are still demanding that others change. Teacher is providing us more time to improve ourselves and save sentient beings. The cost for doing so is beyond our imagination. If you are true practitioners, truly willing to assist Teacher and are sincere in saving sentient beings, then you must spend more time to improve your own character and not others' character.
This is my personal understanding. Please point out anything that is improper.