(Minghui.org) Greetings esteemed Master! Greetings fellow practitioners!
The Minghui Editorial Board published, “Be Responsible” on July 3, 2023.
“But after Fa-rectification cultivation began, when practitioners in many regions ran into conflicts or tribulations, their human notions, attachments to their own ideas, and even worse actions and speech emerged and garnered support from more local practitioners. Many of those in conflicts or tribulations tried to blame others for their problems and sought external solutions instead of looking at the issue from the perspective of cultivation. As a result, many new practitioners who took up Dafa after 2000 no longer experienced the serenity and purity that Fa-study groups and practice sites originally had.” (“Be Responsible”)
I’d like tell you about our experiences—how we resolved our conflicts and stopped looking for, “...external solutions instead of looking at the issue from the perspective of cultivation.”
Our Fa Study Group
About four years ago, two Fa study groups merged. At first, the discussions were very strained: Either we all kept silent, or accusations were loudly made. The people involved reacted, which was justified. Social topics were often discussed. I didn’t know how this state of affairs could be improved; I didn’t know how we – a group of self-confident individualists – could set our egos aside and have a sincere discussion.
Master said,
“...that which has nothing to do with the actual work of practitioners in society, the senseless gossiping among practitioners in the same school of practice, attachments that cause one to show off, hearsay or circulating rumors, or those discussions on some social issues that one is excited about. I hold that these are all attachments of everyday people. I think that in these areas we should watch what we say—that is the cultivation of speech we refer to. (Lecture Eight, Zhuan Falun)
When we looked outward and accused each other, a practitioner who recently joined us pointed this out. As he spoke, I sent forth righteous thoughts. Yes, we should look for the causes in ourselves and not look at others.
One day we finally managed, for the first time, to exchange ideas based on the principles of the Fa and speak calmly. We individualists no longer primarily talked about how we would approach it, but rather examined the situation, asked questions, and thus solved the problem as one body. Long story short, we managed to talk to each other in a reasonable manner.
Letting Go of Our Attachments and Fulfilling Our Mission
We wanted to support Shen Yun in our cities by distributing promotional materials, However, we could not agree on how to do this—whether we should work as individuals or as a group.
One practitioner wanted to impose herself by rigidly ordering us around. I tried to ignore her tone so that I could listen to her suggestions. When I was able to calm down, I realized that she did not have a bossy disposition, but she was driven by a thought process.
As our next step we could – without any resentment – decide how we could implement the suggestions. Unfortunately, the rest of us brought up our attachments such as, “no time, inconvenient,” and so on. We had to put aside our attachments. This was not easy.
We knew we had to overcome this hurdle together - everyone contributed the best they could - and we agreed to what was proposed. We went to the theater to send righteous thoughts, in order to lay a good foundation for Shen Yun in that city in the future. Even a practitioner who never participates in activities helped. Afterward, we were able to jointly distribute Shen Yun promotional materials in our two cities.
I prepared a plan to distribute Shen Yun fliers in a sprawling villa area. This ensured that we would not overlook any streets in this large, confusing area. My attachment ensured that I distributed meticulously, while my fellow practitioner’s attachments ensured that she crisscrossed. When I noticed this, it was a great test for me. I like to avoid unpleasant situations. I decided to handle it calmly, but point it out to her. When I mentioned it, she was very sorry and said, “I don’t have any experience in cooperating with others.”
After our conversation, we both felt very relieved because we overcame the problem. We were so happy. At that moment, I was even able to take another step back and thought, “Well, it won’t be so bad that we didn’t follow the plan; after all, it is only a plan made by me, that is, by a human being. The Divine may see it differently.”
Because of our sincere state, we had very good and intensive conversations with the local residents: We were able to show them very clearly the beauty of Shen Yun and the divine values - Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Forbearance) - and we were able to talk in detail about how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Falun Dafa.
Afterward, during our group discussion, we realized that this commanding tone comes from communist party culture. We decided if we couldn’t eliminate this, to at least ignore it. This required a strong main consciousness. It was very easy for us to get carried away again and react with resentment, accusations, or a negative attitude. Overall, the situation improved noticeably and as a group we were able to support Shen Yun as best we could, even in another city. We were able to coordinate effectively to achieve our goal and focus on bringing Shen Yun to Germany.
In this compassionate environment, we had very good and intensive discussions with the local residents. We were able to show them the beauty of Shen Yun and the divine values of Zhen, Shan, Ren. We were able to talk in detail about the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Accepting the Fa as Master
Some social issues were still rather interesting at times so they were discussed before we read the Fa. The conversation then moved to the mundane. Emotions, such as resentment and anger were fueled, and the group became polarized. Unfortunately, this was not conducive to the Fa study.
We saw our shortcomings and eliminated them. This was a very painful process. We supported each other and reminded each other– as kindly as possible—to look inward. We tried to focus on our fellow practitioners and their situation and not validate ourselves, i.e. we did not want to take ourselves seriously and praise ourselves. This is self-affirmation but does not conform to the Fa, so it is not helpful.
I had a question—when practitioners point things out, is it his attachment or viewpoint? I could not clearly separate them.
Through studying the Fa, I realized that we should look at practitioners as if he or she were like a mirror, and view the others’ shortcomings as if they were our own. As a result, we can let go of our self, and our ego. However, when human sentiments are awakened, we should be on guard and ignore them as best we can. There are notions and attachments at work that hinder and disturb us.
A few weeks ago, Master gave me the opportunity to show whether I really understood the Fa principle of putting others first. Another practitioner asked if I could help her at the Minghui summer camp. That didn’t sit well with me. My well-deserved vacations were just beginning, and I already made plans!
Now she had such a strong wish, I could already feel it clearly—I put my plans aside and agreed with a light and happy heart. When she kept assigning me tasks, I was actually happy, because it allowed me to be intensively involved in the summer camp. What a good thing!
Cooperating as One Body
Two practitioners from our Fa study group and I took on a number of tasks. We realized that once again our attachment to wanting to take over surfaced, and we were not in the Fa.
One practitioner made various plans. Making plans is definitely a good thing, as it structures our actions and allows everyone involved to strive towards a common goal. When control comes into play, however, we need to be vigilant: Are we still focused on the original goal? Can the people assigned do the work from their point of view? Has controlling taken on a life of its own? Are we still cultivating ourselves?
How would others respond to such pressure? What does our mirror, which our fellow practitioners form for us, look like at that moment?
When they leave the group and exclaim, “It’s getting too much for me!” “I can’t do it anymore.” Children often react like this, “I’ll do what I want.” The result is no longer good. From this we concluded that our situation was not good either.
We decided to act based on the Fa—instead of following the control. The landlord of our accommodation did not ask us to make a cleaning schedule for our stay, so we trusted the parents and children to clean the washroom on their own; and that the parents would help in the kitchen, as they promised.
We Falun Dafa cultivators should not put restrictions on others, but allow them to cultivate their hearts. Mind and matter are one, and if everyone has good, sincere thoughts, we will be cultivating ourselves.
When we found inadequacies we improved as one body. When we put trust first, we were so happy and felt indescribably light—at that moment we were one in the Fa—one Fa body! It felt warm, bright and very peaceful.
Everyone involved in the summer camp contributed as much as they could, and the outcome was indescribable. Everyone, children, youth, parents, counselors, and teachers complemented each other where shortcomings arose. In some cases, practitioners often went beyond their breaking point in order to give everyone a wonderful camp experience. Everyone had amazing experiences, and we used every opportunity as best we could for cultivation - from the first minute to the last.
Thank you, fellow practitioners, for accompanying and supporting me on my path, and for allowing me to see my shortcomings through you.
Thank you Esteemed Master for always compassionately pointing out our gaps, for supporting us, and for letting us be Dafa disciples, so we can fulfill this mission. This is the highest honor!
(Presented at the 2023 Germany Fa Conference)
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