(Minghui.org) Everyday people pursue happiness. What makes them happy? Fame, money, good things, and anything they want that is borne out of attachment. They will be happy if they get what they want, and sad if they suffer even a little.
These everyday people's notions can affect cultivators. Although I have always tried to eliminate my attachments and have felt truly happy after getting rid of them, deep in my heart, I still pursue the “good life.”
To give an example, I get excited when politics in China moves in a certain direction. When the actions of the Chinese Communist Party disturb me, I feel frustrated and depressed. It took me a long time to realize that I was letting external things influence my mood. Isn't this an attachment to everyday people's happiness?
So, I asked myself a question: “Would a cultivator still be happy if he or she did not have any everyday people's happiness?”
I took a look back at my life and thought about a cold winter night in 2003. I was walking outside alone at 11 p.m. The streets were empty. I felt that my life was lonely and boring. I was also consumed by fear of the persecution of Falun Gong.
All of sudden, a beam of light shone into my heart. I immediately began to feel comfortable. It's hard to describe it. It was like some hopeful and uplifting power. All of sudden, I saw a spark of hope in the darkness. The feeling lasted for a long time. It was such a wonderful feeling, better than any happiness I had ever experienced. It was like a touch of spring.
Where did the feeling come from? I believe it was a reflection of my cultivation level. Could it be possible that the Fa gives a cultivator the feeling of happiness when he or she is facing hardships?
During the early years of his cultivation, Milarepa was in so much pain that he thought about committing suicide. But looking back, he described this cultivation as a journey of happiness, and believed that he would definitely attain righteous fruition and become a Buddha.
When a cultivator can happily face tribulations, then all of the difficulties on the path of cultivation will disappear, and he or she will be able to cultivate more and more diligently until his or her cultivation meets with success. If he or she really trusts the Fa and considers tribulations as good things, then would there be any suffering in life? Happiness will naturally emerge.
Recently, I've tried to conduct myself this way. I've become more diligent in my cultivation and happier overall. I have also become more positive. I often think, “Ah, tomorrow will be another happy day.” I feel bad that I didn't have this understanding a few years ago. Back then, I was depressed and missed many opportunities to cultivate.
I will strengthen my belief in the Fa and be happy every day.
Category: Improving Oneself
