(Minghui.org) I have been practicing Falun Dafa for 14 years. Over the years, I've stressed the importance of having a pure heart and mind while studying the Fa, but not while doing the exercises.
To me, practicing the exercises is like a duty so my mind will often be thinking about other things while I am doing them. Sometimes I will not really listen to Master’s voice and my movements will not match Master’s instructions. Occasionally, I will be able to realize that my thoughts wander, but most of the time my thoughts will be influenced by many distracting things and my mind will wander off with these thoughts while my body is still doing the movements. That is how I “finish” my exercise sessions.
Such a state has become a habit and I even thought that since I'm able to complete the five sets of exercises every day, I'm already better off than some other people although I am not on par with the better practitioners. Since I am doing the three things, though I cannot be considered as cultivating diligently, I am still OK and so I am still happy and satisfied with my current state.
Gradually, problems started to show up with my health. I have felt heavy and I could not lift up my legs when I walk. I often trip and can only walk slowly. I couldn't walk faster no matter how much I wanted to. My left leg and left elbow ached for a few years but no matter how I searched within myself, the pain did not go away. My walking posture also deteriorated but I did not know what the cause of these problems was. Later, I realized that I have this hidden fundamental attachment to making use of Dafa to cure my ailments ever since I started to cultivate.
After Master published the new exercise music, I realized: Master is giving his disciples extra energy, pushing us forward and increasing the speed of our bodily transformations. Since Master is pushing us forward, we must keep up with his pace. I must deeply understand Master’s decision, and the thought of whether I could complete the second exercise for one hour has never crossed my mind.
As I put my full concentration into listening to Master’s instructions and music without any distracting thoughts, I managed to complete the exercises easily. As I persisted in practicing in this state every day, following Master’s instructions and music closely with a clear mind, I have been able to get rid of the distracting thoughts once they appear in my mind, just like when I am studying the Fa. I will be constantly alert if and when distracting thoughts appear. Once any such thoughts appear, I will get rid of them immediately.
Master hinted to us clearly, “...practicing the exercises is the means to achieve spiritual perfection.” (“Fa-Teaching Given At the Conference in Sydney”)
We cannot neglect or treat this lightly.
After my understanding and xinxing improved, within just a few days, the incorrect symptoms which have persisted on my body for so many years quickly disappeared. My understanding of the Fa was actually so poor and I wasted so much time! The effort that I have put into practicing the exercises in the past has all been a waste. Who am I practicing for like that? Isn’t that being disrespectful to Master and the Fa? How big of a mistake have I made? I have been stuck in this problem for so many years and I did not realize it. It was only under Master’s guidance, teachings and empowerment that I finally realized my problem.
Our great and benevolent Master doesn't want to leave any of his disciples behind and I hope that the fellow practitioners who had the same problem as me can wake up quickly. At this critical juncture near the end of the Fa-rectification, we need to find our shortcomings from many points of view and correct all the incorrect states that we are in so that we can follow Master home.
I am very thankful and grateful to our great, benevolent Master!
Category: Improving Oneself
