Letting Go of Selfishness, Saving Sentient Beings

Written by Falian, a Dafa practitioner from Hebei Province

(Clearwisdom.net) Our group study and practice was resumed in 2002. During these years, we have gone through many difficulties. I would like to share some experiences from the past few years with fellow practitioners.

On the path of cultivation, I felt that I was able to search within myself, and had felt good about myself. In early 2005, for a period of time, I noticed that I had not progressed, and my mental state was not stable either. Although I had been doing the three things that Teacher asks us to do, conflicts always came to trouble me. Right after one was resolved, another would come. Why was it so? I kept asking myself.

One day, a fellow practitioner came and told me that a practitioner had come from out of town to share some experiences with us. I said that I did not want to go since I had so many other important things to do. I also found many other reasons and told the practitioner how many tribulations I was going through. I did not sound very friendly either. A few days later, the practitioner asked me again, and said, "We were asked to go and share our experiences. Do you want to come?" Therefore, I went.

I notice that the practitioner was in a very good state: he was always cheerful. He asked me, "You don’t look as well as you did last year. How are you doing? Are you all right?" I replied, "My condition is not very good at present. I am miserable, and I cannot be happy at all."

The practitioner immediately said, "Why aren’t you happy? Who can be happier than us Dafa practitioners? We have obtained the great law of the universe. Everything we are doing now is to save sentient beings, and to help fellow practitioners to understand Dafa better. If our fellow practitioners are happy, and if we can all progress in cultivation and save sentient being together, I will be very happy."

Hearing this, I found my problem. I had been troubled by my not being able to improve. I did not have the mentality of thinking about other practitioners. I had been very selfish. I had been very selfish and self-centered.

At home, I looked deep into myself, and studied Teacher’s new lectures. I had better understandings, and saw my selfishness. Hence, I started to have a higher expectation for myself. I grew determined to change my former thinking completely, and wholeheartedly live my life for saving sentient beings, for fellow practitioners, and others. I realized that cultivation is to cultivate my mind, to assimilate to the truth of the universe, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" and I should let go of myself completely. By doing so, I am able to assimilate myself to the new universe.

Teacher says, "Dafa is about cultivation only--Dafa has nothing but cultivation." ("Teaching the Fa at the Meeting with Asia-Pacific Students.")After realizing this point, I promised myself that I would compassionately help resolve fellow practitioners’ conflicts, and not find faults in other practitioners. Instead of looking for shortcomings in fellow practitioners, I set for myself even stricter requirements. I became more clear headed, and able to understand Fa principles better.

I realized that practitioners should be understanding towards each other, and be more patient with one another. I also realized that I need to show more respect to fellow practitioners. In order to do so, I need to improve my mind and my understanding the Fa. I believe that I can be a very diligent practitioner, and wholeheartedly concentrate on Fa-rectification to save sentient beings.
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2006/6/13/129995.html

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