(Minghui.org) Through cultivation in Falun Dafa, I have gradually learned to eliminate my notions and broaden my mind.
Looking Down Upon Myself
I always had the thought that I didn’t study the Fa well enough and that my enlightenment quality was poor. Over time, I formed the habit of feeling inferior to others and looking down upon myself. Master Li's teachings helped me break through my notions:
“...what does being a "Fa-Rectification Period Dafa Disciple" mean? It is the foremost title and the most magnificent being in the cosmos.” (Teaching the Fa at the 2004 International Fa Conference in New York)
Master is guiding us up to high levels, so why did I still look down upon myself? I recognized that it was a manifestation of not believing in Master and harboring negative notions about myself. I watched Master’s lectures to help me identify and let go of these interfering thoughts.
Removing Polarizing Notions
In the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) culture, people tend to be contrary. Once an opinion has formed, it's hard to change. If something is not good, then it’s bad; if it’s not right, it’s wrong; If we are not friends, we're enemies. This mindset has become second nature to many Chinese.
On one occasion, people were spreading rumors about a practitioner in our area. Her way of communicating wasn’t acceptable to the local coordinators, so they ignored her. After I shared with her one day, they shunned me as well.
I felt unfairly treated and wanted to challenge them. I then realized that my response was a manifestation of CCP culture and jealousy that had taken root in me.
After thinking it over, I realized that in order to cultivate up to a high level, I would have to distance myself from the standard for ordinary people instilled by the CCP.
With some effort, I made a breakthrough in my understanding and stopped caring about what others thought about me.
Breaking Through the Notion of “Being Persecuted”
On July 20, 1999, the CCP launched its persecution of Falun Dafa. Since then, I have been put in detention centers, forced labor camps, and a prison. I lost my job, and my family and friends developed misunderstandings of Dafa.
After I was released from prison, I re-examined my understanding of Dafa and Master, as well as my path of cultivation. I came to realize that my fundamental attachment was that I didn’t truly believe in Master and Dafa!
I stumbled multiple times before I realized that if I don’t fully believe in Master, higher-level meanings of the Fa would not present themselves to me, and I would continue to follow the old forces’ arrangements.
I searched inward for my attachments, and under Master’s benevolent care, I finally made a breakthrough and truly eliminated many notions that were blocking me. Now that I completely believe in Master, I can I feel the sacredness and seriousness of Fa-rectification cultivation.
I recently read a Minghui article in which a practitioner said, “When the police officers took me away, I didn’t treat it as persecution, but rather an opportunity to clarify the facts and save sentient beings.” The story woke me up and helped me understand what true righteous thoughts are!
Category: Improving Oneself
