(Clearwisdom.net) If a cultivator always considers him/herself better than and puts him/herself above other practitioners, such a person will encounter a dilemma. Whenever he or she runs into problems or conflicts, this person always searches externally and thinks he or she is helping others improve. These kinds of people are unwilling to look inside and look at themselves. They see clearly others' problems, but never consider that they might have the same attachment. They do their best to hide their attachments and try hard to "help" other practitioners improve. That is not validating the Fa--it is validating oneself.
With Master's immense grace, a fellow practitioner encountered tremendous tribulations, endured painful torment, purged the human notions, and was finally able to overcome the difficulties. Another practitioner said to me, "It looks like what I told him before helped somewhat, and it was not a waste of my time to talk to him." In a self-effacing manner he said that Master did everything, but he still took credit for that fellow practitioner's improvement. The fact is, even though it appears your words helped a practitioner, Master made it possible. Moreover, your words do not always have a positive effect. Smugness and boasting are strong attachments to one's ego. Countless eyes are watching from above [observing one's actions]; what purpose does it serve to resort to self-praise?
These attachments were recently pointed out to me, making me quite uncomfortable. I knew there was definitely an attachment I needed to let go of. I looked inside, dug deep, and I found it. My parents and I all obtained the Fa in 2001; they are 76 years old now. I've led them in doing the three things. Whenever I gained a good understanding of a Fa principle, I would share with them. They always agreed with me. As time went on I became used to it. I developed a notion that I was above fellow practitioners, but I did not realize it. When another practitioner's xinxing improved, I would feel happy for that person. But at the same time I would think that it was thanks to my good advice! Even this brief flash of an idea shows clearly my lack of purging this attachment of self-validation. This attachment was restrained when I was with fellow practitioners but was thoroughly exposed when I was with my family.
In a word, we should watch our every thought, as no human attachment can be taken to heaven. No matter what attachment we see in other practitioners, we should look at ourselves, as there must be something we should get rid of.
Master will expose some of our deeply hidden attachments through all kinds of conflicts so that we can get rid of them. The key is not to hide them! Make sure not to make looking inside empty prattle and merely see it as the attachment others have to overcome. What will happen to us while other practitioners cultivate themselves well? I am not referring to those practitioners who really do look inside and compassionately help others.
The above are some of my personal understandings; please point out anything incorrect.
