(Minghui.org) After reading the article “Thoughts on the End Time for Fa Rectification and Prophecies,” I felt that many things mentioned were not in line with Dafa. Despite feeling not quite right about it, I had an urge to share this article with fellow practitioners who had no access to the internet. I seemed a bit excited as well. After a few minutes, I calmed down and asked myself why I was in a hurry to share this article even though I felt it was a bit off? What did I want to get out of the article?
After looking within, I found that I have two main attachments: First, I considered myself a Dafa disciple who had stepped out as described by the article. Based on the description, I believed I had been approved by Master and had reached the standard for Dafa disciples during the Fa-rectification period. It seemed that I had done enough to reach the standard of consummation.
Secondly, when I saw that the article predicted eight more years before the end of the Fa-rectification, I had trouble accepting it. I felt I could not bear the persecution that much longer. I was afraid of being persecuted and I didn't want to suffer anymore.
In actuality, I feel I still have a lot to do to meet the standard of Dafa disciples. How I’m doing the three things is still not up to par. What excuse do I have to slack off?
Master said he held up five fingers when asked how many people have to quit the Chinese Communist Party for it to collapse. I thought it might not refer to saving 50% of the population. The homophone for “five” in Chinese is “none.” I think Master may be telling us that there is no upper limit for saving people, and we should just try to save as many people as we can, as quickly as possible.
Master told us:
“I have practiced cultivation for so many years. It is absolutely impossible for other people to read my mind, and other people’s supernormal abilities cannot reach me at all.” (Lecture Three, Zhuan Falun, 2014 Translation Version)
Although I know that no one can see the entirety of the Fa-rectification and that only Master is in control of everything, the above-mentioned article still touched many of my attachments, including an attachment to the end of the Fa-rectification, to my own Consummation, to the fear of the persecution, and to comfort. These attachments should really be exposed and completely removed.
I knew I had an attachment to time, but I felt that it wasn't that strong as I only thought about it occasionally. But since reading that article, I have realized that my attachment to the end time for the Fa-rectification has been so strong that it might have a certain impact on the sentient beings in my world, the regular people around me, and my entire environment.
I have always felt that the articles on Minghui reflect the state of Dafa disciples' cultivation as a whole, and reading the daily articles on Minghui helps me face and handle similar problems. But this time, I felt that the attachments that I had not cultivated off might seriously affect Dafa disciples as a whole.
Master also said:
“Nobody should blame others for this, as everyone has added fuel to the flame. Consequently, everyone will come across tribulations in cultivation.” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun, 2014 Translation Version)
Wasn't this article published because I did not let go of my attachments? Looking back at myself since the 2020 U.S. election, I have gone from being convinced that Trump would be reelected, to being upset, indignant, disappointed, and finally to calming down, because I had to accept the reality after a different person became the president.
Master taught us:
“but by the time one becomes old, with the passage of time one’s future seems hopeless. Those attachments are naturally relinquished and worn out.” (Lecture Five, Zhuan Falun, 2014 Translation Version)
I realized that many of my attachments were simply covered up – not gone. When I was obsessed with everyday people's news, I was looking for signs of the persecution becoming less severe. My attachment to prophecies also reflects my attachment to supernormal powers, elation, and the mentality of showing off. My casually talking about prophecies may have also caused those practitioners who made predictions through their supernormal powers to become obsessed with their powers and possibly go astray, which in turn would result in karma for me. My obsession with sharing prophecies with people is also an indication that I have failed to cultivate my speech.
From the U.S election to the “Zero-out” harassment campaign in China [a coordinated effort to force every practitioner on the government's blacklist to renounce their faith], I feel those were the opportunities Master gave us time and again to get rid of our attachments, eliminate the evil, and save sentient beings.
I should have seized these opportunities to clarify the truth to people, but I did not do well, fearing that people might misunderstand us as getting involved in politics if I talked about the election. Exposing the election fraud would have helped people understand the corrupting influence of communism – a concern that has nothing to do with politics. But my attachment of fear of being misunderstood prevented me from using the election in my truth-clarification efforts.
Dafa disciples play a major role in forging the future. Trump was not elected, and I believe it might be because Dafa disciples as a whole did not do enough to bring about the changes in the celestial phenomena. I failed to send forth righteous thoughts with a pure heart or clarify the truth about the election fraud. It was my problem. After realizing it now, I should do better and be more diligent. I believe Master will use the opportunity to remind us to do better.
Regarding the article mentioned at the beginning, I noted that an editor's note was added to remind everyone that the opinions expressed are only those of the author's. Many other articles have also begun to carry such a note. I feel that it is a reminder to all of us to cherish Minghui and our cultivation opportunity.
This is my understanding at my current level; please kindly point out any shortcomings.
[Editor's note: Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions, for which the author is solely responsible. Readers should evaluate the article's merits on their own.]
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Category: Improving Oneself
