Unconditionally Looking within Makes Me Calm and Peaceful

By a particle, Jilin Province

(Clearwisdom.net) A few days ago, I had a chat with a practitioner couple when I went to pick up truth clarification materials. In our conversation, they both pointed out the shortcomings of each other and talked about what made them feel angry and people's misunderstandings of their good intentions. The wife burst into tears the moment she talked about the things making her sad. From what I heard, they were only talking about their own theories and had not dealt with the problems with a peaceful mind. I thought to myself: if I came across the things they had experienced, would I be angry or crying? I am allowed to see what has happened to them and what they are doing. Is this trying to tell me that I have not done well in certain aspects?

I went through what I had been doing or thinking lately and did not find any particular shortcomings other than lack of communication with fellow practitioners because of being busy doing the three things. I told these practitioners my opinions about their problems: we are all able to see other people's shortcomings, but the shortcomings are not themselves. They were obtained through living in this world, and now they are disturbing our peaceful mind. Thus, we should apply our rationality by thinking this way: "We are happy for being able to identify our shortcomings, and when they emerge, we should eliminate them. We should be the purest lives. Thoughts and behaviors not in line with the Fa are not ours, and we should not consider them as us."

After a while, another practitioner came and we shared a bit. He said that because the recent truth clarification materials reveal the cruel behaviors of how the CCP has persecuted practitioners at death camps like Sujiatun, many practitioners have become too afraid to pick up the materials or distribute very few if they do pick up the materials. A plan to distribute the materials to hospitals was proposed but local practitioners were not willing to do it. Some said that they did not want to do it as a group action, as if obeying orders, and felt that they should be allowed to distribute when and to whome they felt appropriate. The behavior of these practitioners made this practitioner angry and he said, "Are they Teacher's disciples if they did not want to distribute the materials or participate in group efforts?" His tone did not sound as it normally did.

Then I provided my thoughts on this: "We should use the cruel persecution at Sujiatun and other death camps to expose the evil CCP, and let people know its evil nature, so they can quit its organizations. In such a process, people would get to understand Dafa deeper and better, and be able to choose a good future for themselves. Some practitioners might have the heart of fear, but we should not complain, get mad, or even disassociate with them. We all walk our own paths, we are a whole body and we should try to help them. If conditions permit, we can find time to study the Fa together or share in small groups. Dafa can correct any deviant thoughts. If we study the Fa sufficiently, Dafa work will become smoother. If he or she does not want to distribute the materials now, we should not push it. It would be worse if any damage is made due to insufficient xinxing level. If they don't want to distribute the materials to hospitals, it could be suggested to try the surrounding neighborhoods or residential areas, write letters, or other methods."

Upon hearing this, the practitioner nodded his head and became calm.

I talked to three other practitioners on other occasions and shared with them about some issues briefly. I mentioned some problems among practitioners, and I too had not been very diligent sometimes. Sometimes I was too lazy to practice the exercises every day or was unable to focus when sending forth righteous thoughts. I also told them again about my suggestions regarding the issue of the concentration camps. Then I emphasized studying the Fa more, reminding each other to do the three things well, and to be diligent.

When I was talking, I noticed that my tone was changing and slowing down, not like my normal talking speed and tone. Practitioners were listening to me. Why did my tone change? At that moment, a practitioner asked with a confusing look on her face what "Party Eight Set" (dang ba gu) is? Another practitioner answered that that was what the CCP does, a fixed format. Then she said she felt my way of talking was really similar to the "Party Eight Set," and that I always used those kinds of words to talk about the problems we encountered. She shared some more of her thoughts on this. I did not say anything but felt a little annoyed. This showed that my heart was moved when I had to face criticism. I even looked for excuses for myself, feeling that the other practitioner was jealous and uncomfortable that people listen to me instead of her, and so on.

As I write these words, I truly see the causes of the things that I have encountered. Everything that I have encountered tried to tell me something that I need to change or improve. I should not focus on whether others are right or wrong, rather, I should look for my hidden heart of fame and being afraid of criticism, although it might be small and well hidden. Furthermore, the shortcomings that I point out to others are usually the same shortcomings I have. I myself have all those problems. I noticed that when I am looking within unconditionally, I become a lot more calm and peaceful, and able to smile whole-heartedly when talking to practitioners.

I am grateful to Teacher and practitioners for having helped me realize my shortcomings. I will try to do better to deserve Teacher's merciful salvation.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2006/4/14/125176.html

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