(Minghui.org) I am a practitioner from the Middle East. I started practicing Falun Dafa when I was 18 years old. My father started practicing a few years before me. He used to say that Falun Dafa was the way that he had been looking for all his life. He also encouraged me and others he knew to pick up the practice. However, back then I was a young girl and I did not take it seriously. Right after finishing high school, I began to read Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa. As I was reading it, I thought, “Why didn't I read this book earlier?”
I am very thankful to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, for having me as a disciple. To me, being able to practice Dafa is the most precious gift in my entire life. I now understand the meaning of life and I feel true happiness from deep within my heart.
Cultivation practice is all about getting rid of our human desires and attachments, and going back to our true natures. Through reading Zhuan Falun, I learned many truths and applied them to my daily life. This way I have become happier and more relaxed. I take conflicts lightly and stopped competing for personal gain. This is because I know that, if something is meant to be mine, no one can take it; If something is not supposed to be mine, even if I fight for it, I will not get it. Knowing this principle makes my life so much easier!
Master Li said:
“Sometimes, you think that something should be yours, and others also tell you that it is yours. Actually, it is not. You may believe that it is yours, but in the end it is not yours. Through this, it can be seen whether you can give it up. If you cannot let it go, it is an attachment. This method must be used to get rid of your attachment to self-interest. This is the issue. Because everyday people are not enlightened to this principle, they will all compete and fight before profits.” (Zhuan Falun)
Many people often wonder why so and so treats them badly or why they have misfortune in life. Master Li clearly explains the reason behind our misfortunes and hardships. In a nutshell, it is because of our own karma.
Master said:
“In cultivation practice, there may be two scenarios when dealing with specific conflicts or when others treat you badly. One is that you might have treated this person badly in your previous life. You feel in your heart that it is unfair, "How can this person treat me like this?" Then why did you treat this person that way in the past? You might claim that you actually did not know it at that time, and this life has nothing to do with the other life. That does not work. There is another issue. In conflicts, the issue of transforming karma is involved. Therefore, in dealing with specific conflicts we should be forgiving instead of acting like ordinary people. This should apply to the workplace or other work environments. The same is true as well with self-employed people, for they also have social interactions. It is impossible not to interact with society, as at least there is contact among neighbors.” (Zhuan Falun)
Because of moral degeneration, people are often at odds with each other due to their personal benefits. They have become so greedy and will do anything to benefit a little more. When it comes to dealing with conflicts, if we as cultivators also treat people badly, then how could we be any different? We are practicing cultivation to improve ourselves by following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance (Zhen-Shan-Ren). Master has also taught us how we should deal with conflicts:
“How should we deal with this issue? Upon running into this conflict, we should, first of all, keep a cool head, and we should not behave the same as that person. Of course, we can explain the matter kindly, and it is not a problem if we clarify the issue. But you should not become too attached to it. If we encounter these problems, we should not compete and fight like others. If you do what that person did, aren’t you an ordinary person? Not only should you not compete and fight like him, but also you should not resent that person in your heart. Really, you should not hate that person. If you hate that person, aren’t you upset? You have not followed forbearance. We practice Zhen-Shan-Ren, and you would have even less compassion so to speak of.” (Zhuan Falun)
Through practicing Falun Dafa and reading Zhuan Falun, many of my questions were answered. For example, many people may have this common question of the purpose of human life and why are we here. In the first lecture of the book, Master clearly answers this question:
“The lives in this dimension cannot see the lives in other dimensions or the truth of the universe. Thus, these human beings are actually lost in a maze. In order to cure illness or eliminate tribulations and karma, these people must practice cultivation and return to their original, true selves. This is how all the different cultivation schools view it. One should return to one’s original, true self; this is the real purpose of being human.” (Zhuan Falun)
After getting married, I have been living with my husband's family. My husband is a practitioner as well. Despite the common saying that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law do not have a good relationship, thanks to Dafa and Master I have a very good relationship with my mother-in-law. I respect her, treat her well, and help with household chores. She also treats me like her own daughter. My husband’s grandmother also lives with us. Since she is old and cannot shower by herself, I take her to the shower and help her with other tasks as well. She is very grateful for my help and has great respect for Falun Dafa.
If I was not a practitioner I might not have agreed to live with my husband's family in one house. Thanks to Dafa, we have a harmonious life and everyone in the family loves me and treats me well. As a housewife, I usually stay at home and the people I am in contact with the most are my husband’s family members. When it comes to dealing with them, I try to consider them first and be selfless. Just like Master has asked us to be:
“You should always be benevolent and kind to others, and consider others when doing anything. Whenever you encounter a problem, you should first consider whether others can put up with this matter or if it will hurt anyone.” (Zhuan Falun)
Despite all the benefits that Falun Dafa has brought to the people around the world, it has been persecuted in China since 1999. Many practitioners in China have lost their lives due to the persecution. Practitioners in China and all around the world inform the public about what is happening to Falun Dafa practitioners in China in all kinds of ways. I also try my best to do what I can to raise awareness about this tragedy and help more people to know the truth.
I wish to thank Master Li from deep down in my heart.
Thank you, Master Li!
Category: Improving Oneself
