我的修煉歷程 (AM 7th sharing)
A N
尊敬的師父好！各位同修好！
今天，我想與大家分享自己六年多來的修煉歷程，如有不符合法的地方，請同修慈悲指正。
得法前，我一直有一個願望，就是尋找人生真正的意義。多年來，我奔波於許多國家和地區，尋師求道，收集並閱讀了無數佛教經書。然而，我依舊對人生感到十分迷茫。正如師父在《轉法輪》中開示：「想求正法，走正道都很難，方方面面都干擾。」
直到2020年疫情期間，我得大法的機緣才真正成熟。當時，朋友同修A送給我一本《轉法輪》，並向我介紹法輪功。起初，我只是抱著改善健康的想法走入大法，在家獨自煉功。在這個過程中，每當我有不明白的地方，同修A都會耐心地為我解答。同修A展現出的真誠、善良和忍耐令我感動，我也希望能成為這樣的人。因此促使我認真了解法輪功，並下定決心走入修煉。
翻開並閱讀《轉法輪》的那一刻，我的心靈受到深深的震撼。半生以來，關於我對宇宙、生命、空間和時間的種種疑問，原本以為無法找到答案，卻在一瞬間都得到了清晰、詳細的解答。我明白，我找到了自己長久以來一直在尋求的正法，我因此立下誓願，堅定跟隨師父。
正如師父在《轉法輪》中開示：
“很多人經過長時間的練功，也有的人沒有練過功，但是在他的一生中有對真理、人生真諦的追求，在琢磨。他一旦學習了我們法輪大法以後，他一下子就明白了他在人生當中許許多多想要明白、而又不得其解的問題。”
第一部分、歸正自己，圓容家庭環境
走入修煉後，我面臨的第一個考驗就是在煉靜功時，要克服身體上因病業帶來的疼痛，因為我的兩個膝關節都有較嚴重的退化。從最初的單盤到逐漸雙盤，對我來說是一個艱難的過程，幾乎每一秒都要數著時間過。有時疼痛鑽心，使我心煩意亂，每當我覺得快要忍不住把腿放下來時，我就會想起師父在《轉法輪》第九講中開示：「我過去修煉的時候，有許多高人給我講過這樣的話，他說：「難忍能忍，難行能行」。」我堅定正念，在師父的加持下，我鼓勵自己堅決不半途而廢，以「忍」堅持下去，轉變自己。
考驗不僅體現在我的身體上，也出現在我自己的家庭中。以前，我一直被視為一個事業有成、行為端正的人，深受親友的信任。但當我走入大法修煉後，家人卻為此感到擔憂並強烈反對。有時，家人無緣無故對我發脾氣、大聲說話，孩子們也變得疏遠，認為我執迷不悟，使家庭氣氛變得十分緊張。
師父在《轉法輪》第六講中开示：
“因為一個人想修煉實在太難，真修沒有我的法身保護，你根本就修不成，你一出門就可能牽扯到生命問題。”
我明白這是我的實修環境，師父在《排除干擾》精進要旨二中開示：
“法能破一切执著，法能破一切邪恶，法能破除一切谎言，法能坚定正念。”
在大法的指導下，我開始認真向內找，驚訝地發現了自己許多隱藏的人心。以前，我的爭鬥心很強，總想在任何情況下都要獲勝，同時缺乏耐心，總是強迫孩子們聽從我的話。剛開始修煉時，我又帶著為私的心，認為自己在做正事，所以家裡每個人都應該尊重並為我的工作讓步。看到這些執著後，我立刻歸正心態，主動改變自己，讓自己變得更加和善、有耐心，並努力盡好在家庭中的責任。
當我放下自我，真正改變自己後，周圍的環境也隨之改變。家人們漸漸感受到我的真誠，因此不再反對我修煉大法，反而理解並支持我。我與孩子們的關係也有了明顯改善，孩子們變得更加親近我，也願意與我分享更多事情。特別是我以前在家庭聚會時喝酒的習慣也完全消失了，取而代之的是健康的聚會，充滿純淨的笑聲。修煉幾個月後，當我回看一張與朋友的合照時，我看到自己的笑容更加燦爛，無憂無慮，眼神流露出純真的幸福。許多久未見面的親人也稱讚我，說我看起來比以前年輕、健康、平和了很多。
我認識到，常人複雜的環境正是讓修煉人提高的最好熔爐，正如師父在《轉法輪》第八講中開示：
“我們這個法門是在矛盾中叫你自己得功，所以我們要最大限度的去符合常人，從物質上又不是叫你真正失去甚麼。可是在這個物質環境中你卻要提高你的心性。方便就方便在這裏，我們這一法門最方便了，在常人中可以修煉，可以不用出家。那麼最難也就難在這裏，在常人這個最複雜的環境中修煉。”
我從身體到心性上的轉變，正是大法的威德及神蹟的見證。
第2部分、在協調 Fitzroy 公園煉功點的修煉中成長
現在我負責協調Fitzroy 公園週六煉功點的項目，這促使我在修煉上能夠更加精進。這是墨爾本市中心一個重要的洪法地點。三年前，前任協調人因時間有限而無法繼續來這裡，我便欣然答應與一位年輕同修一起維護這個修煉環境。回顧過去三年的歷程，我無比感恩師尊的慈悲加持。煉功點從最初只有兩、三位學員來，到如今已成為一個有更多同修參與的精進整體，同時同修們的煉功動作也越來越標準、整齊。
為了維護這個煉功點，最近三個月，我們決定提前兩個小時到達公園，在煉功前先一起學法、發正念，讓這個場更加純淨，以便更好的洪法和講真相。
承擔協調人的重任後，我悟到，要長期維持一個集體煉功點，首先我必須重視修好自己。來這裡的同修大多住得很遠，有人需要乘坐一、兩個小時的公共交通。我明白，協調人的修煉狀態、每一個念頭、言語和行為，就像一面鏡子，會直接影響到同修是否願意走出來參加集體煉功，同時也會給常人前來了解大法時留下一個好的印象。
師父在《法輪大法義解》<廣州對全國部份輔導站站長的講法>中開示：
“我們在常人社會中修，我們這個法也好，能夠往高層次上修煉，你煉功站的輔導員和廟裏的方丈、住持有甚麼區別？不是對大家要求高，確確實實是功德無量的事情。煉功點上能夠修出來多少，哪怕修出一個來，這個輔導員都功德無量。”
認識到使命的神聖性，我始終用法對照自己，嚴格要求自己，經常向內找，歸正人心，以高標準的修煉作為長期維護煉功點的基礎。
除了認真修好自己之外，我悟到，協調人還需要有一顆包容的心，把同修當作自己的家人來對待。煉功點的維護，不只在於安排播放音樂或掛上真相展板，更在於同修間彼此關心、交流和鼓勵。
因為墨爾本的天氣變化無常，因此我總是密切留意天氣，提醒大家保暖，或選擇合適的煉功位置。煉功點的同修也達成共識，如果天氣過於惡劣，無法在戶外煉功，大家就一起到附近的一家咖啡館學法、分享修煉體會。由於我們保持堅定的正念，儘管有來自外部環境的干擾和考驗，但我們的集體煉功點依舊持續堅持下來。這裡不僅是學法、煉功的地方，也是珍貴的修煉環境，幫助學員們一起向內找，形成一個整體，穩步提高。
為了維護這個環境，同修們總是主動、無條件地配合，事先準備應對方案，並及時安排替補人員。通過不斷歸正人的思想和行為，煉功點始終順利運作，我把每一個突發情況都變成證實法、展現慈悲與善的機會。
維護這個純正的能量場，特別是對剛走入修煉的同修有著重要的意義。他們容易因動作還不標準或學法體悟還不深而感到膽怯、自卑，如果沒有及時得到支持，就很容易灰心，離開整體。因此，我們總是特別用心的關照他們。根據新學員的年齡和性別，我們請合適的同修與他們接觸，給予指導，幫助他們在祥和的氛圍中融入整體。當新同修感受到如同回到自己家一樣的溫暖時，他們不僅堅持留下來實修，還會積極參與證實法的活動，同時鼓勵其他同修一起走出來。
回想這三年來協調Fitzroy 煉功點的經歷，讓我悟到，當我們用心付出，真正為同修和眾生著想時，師父就會開啟我們的智慧，給予最好的一切，使當地同修能形成一個整體，日益穩固、強大，完成助師正法的誓約。
第3部分、在推廣神韻項目中和老年同修一起放下自我
除了維護煉功點，我還有幸與墨爾本的越南老年同修小組一起參與每年的神韻推廣活動。雖然我們大多年事已高，不會開車，也常遇到語言障礙，但我們老年同修小組還是主動承擔了在偏遠地區派發神韻傳單的責任，因為這些地方是忙於工作的年輕同修難以前往的。
我們常常要在天剛亮時就起床，乘車到派發傳單的地區，不顧澳洲夏季的惡劣天氣，依舊在那裡連續步行好幾個小時。有些同修在出發前突然出現嚴重的病業狀態，如腰痛、感冒發燒，但憑著助師救人的堅定正念，大家都神奇地闖了過來，身體不但沒有感到疲累，病業症狀也消失了。在這種高強度的體力消耗下，有時也會使同修之間產生矛盾。遇到矛盾時，我不向外指責別人，而是立刻向內找：為甚麼自己會不舒服？心裏不平的背後隱藏著甚麼執著？通過這樣向內找，我認清了自己的人心，及時修去它，把逆境轉變為提高心性的機會。
正是通過這些共同吃苦的經歷，三年來，墨爾本的越南老年同修小組形成了一個穩固的整體。我們每月定期在 Fitzroy Gardens 或 Queen Victoria Gardens 等市中心公園相聚，一起學法、煉功、分享修煉體會。這些地方也聚集了許多遊客，為我們洪法、派發真相傳單、徵集請願簽名、救度眾生提供了便利。
在協調和開展項目的過程中，我悟到了一個深刻的法理：做大法工作的真正目的，不是為了表面上完成協調工作，而是要修煉心性。當項目忙碌、時間上的壓力接連而來時，我會讓自己努力保持內心的平靜，更深入向內找。有時人心冒出來，覺得自己已經付出了很多，但用法對照自己時，我驚訝地發現，那正是顯示心和極其自私的證實自己的心。我明白，大法中的一切事情，都是讓每個同修無條件配合、共同放下自我、在修煉中共同提高的機緣。
第4部分、在學習用中文學法的過程中突破限制、歸正心性
當我生出想用中文學法的心時，我的信心和正念再次受到考驗。起初，當我看到同修們能夠用中文通讀大法時感到非常羨慕，但又擔心自己年紀大了，記憶力下降，因此曾經半途放棄。直到同修不斷鼓勵我，我才下定決心，重新認真面對這個考驗。在學中文的最初階段確實很艱難，我必須凌晨四點起床，利用每分每秒認字，一筆一畫描寫，學了又忘，忘了再學。然而，正如師父在《轉法輪》第一講中開示：「當然，修在自己，功在師父。」當我勤奮、堅持學習，不尋求捷徑時，師父慈悲賜予了我智慧。如今，我們學法小組已經能夠用中文讀懂《轉法輪》第二講的大部分內容，不再像以前那樣遇到很多困難了。
用中文學法，使我對修心的內涵有了更深的體悟。我認識到，修煉不只體現在煉功或學法的時候，更體現在日常生活中我們能否對每一個最微小的念頭都嚴格要求。遇到別人有不同意見時，我不再立刻用自己的觀念判斷對方是錯的，而是學著反觀自己，看看為甚麼自己的心會被觸動。那些表面上看似由外在環境引起的矛盾，實際上都是一面完美的鏡子，幫助我認清自己尚未去掉的執著。
結語
我也曾誤以為，自己包攬、做很多大法的事，就是精進的表現。但更加深入的學法後，我才真正認識到，如果做大法的事時仍帶著私心，如爭鬥心、顯示心等，或不能與同修圓容配合，那就還不完全算是真正的實修。
走過六年的修煉歷程，看到老年同修克服年齡、健康和環境的障礙，堅定地修下去，我更加珍惜這萬古機緣。我明白，從身體到心性的一切改變，以及我今天所擁有的智慧和能力，都是師父慈悲賜予的。我提醒自己，要保持堅定的正念，勇猛精進，做好三件事，不辜負師尊的保護和慈悲苦度。
也是在這六年多的修煉中，大法為我揭示了半生以來我一直尋求的偉大真理。我悟到，雖然每個人都有自己的修煉環境和道路，但昇華的唯一關鍵，就是堅持學法、煉功、實修心性，做好三件事。整體的修煉環境無比珍貴，希望同修們能夠互相支持、提醒和彼此督促，這也是一個打破個人觀念的熔爐，讓我們能學會向內找和無條件配合。回顧走過的路，我知道自己仍有很多人心需要去掉，也有很多方面需要繼續提高。
我始終牢記師父在《轉法輪》第九講所開示的：
“這麼好的功法，我們今天給你拿出來了，我已經捧給你了，送到你家門口來了。這就看你能不能修，能不能行。”
弟子感恩師父的慈悲救度，並賜予弟子這萬古修煉機緣！
感謝各位同修的互相提醒和鼓勵，讓我們共同營造一個精進的修煉環境！
感謝慈悲偉大的師父！
謝謝同修！
My Cultivation Journey
Alex N.
Greetings, revered Master!
Greetings, fellow practitioners!
Today, on the occasion of the Australia Falun Dafa Fa Conference, I would like to share my cultivation journey over the past six years. If anything does not align with the Fa, I hope fellow practitioners can compassionately point it out.
Before obtaining the Fa, I harbored a deep aspiration to discover the true meaning of human life. For many years, I traveled through numerous countries, from India and Tibet to various nations in Southeast Asia, seeking a master and the Way, collecting and reading countless Buddhist scriptures. Yet, despite all these efforts, my understanding of life and the world remained entirely muddled. I was like someone yearning for the righteous Fa, yet left feeling trapped in this world, much like what Master described in Zhuan Falun, Lecture Five:
“It is very difficult to find a righteous way or to follow a righteous way, owing to interference from various sources.”
It was not until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and Melbourne went into lockdown, that the conditions for me to obtain the Fa truly came. At that time, a friend gifted me a copy of Zhuan Falun and introduced me to Falun Gong. Initially, I began practicing solely to improve my health. I could only follow instruction videos and practice the exercises at home on my own. Throughout this process, whenever I encountered something I did not understand, the fellow practitioner would patiently and dedicatedly explain it to me. The sincerity, kindness, and patience that this friend embodied deeply touched me. I aspired to become a person like that. This inspired me to study Falun Gong in earnest and commit myself to the path of cultivation.
The moment I opened Zhuan Falun and began reading, my mind was deeply moved. My questions about the universe, life, space, and time riddles that had remained unsolved for half my life were suddenly illuminated with absolute clarity and depth. I understood that I had finally found the righteous Fa I had been searching for all these years, and I vowed to follow Master.
My understanding is aligned with Master’s teachings in Zhuan Falun, Lecture Eight:
“ Many people have practiced qigong for a very long time. There are also people who have never practiced it, but who have pursued and pondered the truth and the meaning of human life. Once they learn our Falun Dafa, they will understand at once many questions in life that they have wished to understand but could not answer.”
1. Rectifying Oneself and Harmonising Family Environment
Upon beginning my cultivation practice, my first challenge was enduring the intense pain of “karmic illness” while doing the fifth exercise, since I suffered from severe degeneration in both knee joints. In the early stages, moving my legs into the single-lotus and eventually the full-lotus position was an arduous process; I often had to endure it second by second. There were moments when the pain was excruciating, leaving my mind in turmoil. I even spent many sleepless nights due to lingering agony in my knees. Whenever I felt the urge to give up and lower my legs, I would recall the words of Master from Lecture Nine of Zhuan Falun:
“When it’s difficult to endure, you can endure it. When it’s impossible to do, you can do it.” Thanks to Master’s strengthening and my righteous thoughts, I resolved to endure a little bit more each day. I was determined not to quit halfway, applying the principle of “Forbearance” to persevere and transform myself.
The tests were not limited to my physical body; they also manifested within my own home. Previously, I had been regarded as a successful, exemplary individual, someone my family could always rely on. Yet, when I began practicing Dafa, my family became deeply anxious and vehemently opposed it. At times, my relatives would flare up in anger for no apparent reason, raising their voices. Even my children also became distant, believing I had become “deluded.” This created an incredibly tense atmosphere within our household.
Master taught in Lecture Six of Zhuan Falun:
“There is actually much difficulty when one wants to cultivate. One simply cannot succeed in genuine cultivation without the protection of my fashen.”
Understanding that this is an opportunity for genuine cultivation, I took the teachings from the article “Drive Out Interference” in “The Essentials of Diligent Progress II” as my guiding principle:
“The Fa can break all attachments; the Fa can destroy all evil; the Fa can shatter all lies; and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts.”
Guided by the light of the Fa, I began to seriously look inward and was startled to discover many hidden human attachments. Previously, I had a strong competitive heart, always wanting to come out on top in every situation, along with a lack of patience, often imposing my will on my children and demanding their immediate obedience. When I first began my cultivation, I still harbored a selfish heart; believing that what I was doing was righteous and honorable, I expected everyone else to respect and accommodate my personal schedule. Upon recognising these attachments, I immediately corrected my mind and took the initiative to change myself. I became more amiable and patient, and I made a concerted effort to fulfill my family responsibilities well (before dedicating time to studying the Fa and practising the exercises).
As I let go of my ego and truly changed myself, my surrounding environment changed as well. My family members began to feel my sincerity; instead of opposing me, they grew to understand and support me. My relationship with my children improved significantly. They became closer to me and openly shared with me. Notably, the habit of drinking alcohol during family gatherings vanished entirely, replaced by wholesome get-togethers filled with pure, joyful laughter. After several months of cultivation, I looked back at a photograph taken with friends and noticed that my smile was more radiant and carefree, with a look of pure happiness in my eyes. Many relatives I hadn’t seen for a long time remarked that I appeared much younger, healthier, and far more at peace than before.
I realised that the complex environment of ordinary society is an ideal crucible for a practitioner to elevate themselves, just as Master taught in Lecture Eight of Zhuan Falun:
“Our cultivation way teaches you to obtain gong through conflicts. Therefore, we should accord with everyday people as much as possible…But in this material environment you need to improve your xinxing.”
My own transformation from the physical body to the elevation of my xinxing serves as a vivid testament to the immense virtue and the profound, transformative power of Dafa.
2. Maturing through the Responsibility of Maintaining the Practice Site at Fitzroy Gardens
My environment and opportunities for cultivation expanded further when Master arranged for me to take on the responsibility of maintaining the Saturday practice site at Fitzroy Gardens, a key location for promoting Dafa in the heart of Melbourne. Three years ago, when the previous coordinator could no longer continue due to time constraints, I gladly stepped in with a young fellow practitioner to sustain this environment. Looking back over the past three years, I am very grateful for Master’s compassionate strengthening. From a site that initially had only three practitioners, the Fitzroy practice site has evolved into a cohesive group where a large number of practitioners regularly gather to practice diligently. Our exercise movements have also become increasingly precise and uniform.
To strengthen the righteous thoughts within this environment, for the past three months or so, we have decided to arrive two hours early to study the Fa and send forth righteous thoughts together before the exercises begin, helping to transform this place into a field of pure energy, serving the purpose of promoting Dafa and clarifying the truth.
Bearing the responsibilities of a practice site coordinator, I enlightened that to sustain a group practice site over the long term, the primary requirement is to focus on cultivating myself well. Most of the fellow practitioners come from quite far away; some must travel for one or two hours using public transportation. I understand that the coordinator’s state of cultivation, every one of their thoughts, words, and actions, serves as a mirror that directly influences the determination of fellow practitioners in stepping out to join the group environment. At the same time, it acts as a tangible reflection for ordinary people who come to learn about Dafa.
Master has clearly explained the serious nature of this work in Further Discussions on Falun Dafa:
“We cultivate in everyday people’s society and our Fa is good. It can enable people to cultivate toward high levels. Is there any difference between the Assistants at our practice sites and the abbots in monasteries? It’s not that our requirements for you are high—this is truly something of immeasurable merit and virtue. No matter how many people at a practice site succeed in cultivation, even if just one person succeeds, that Assistant will have immeasurable merit and virtue.”
Fully aware of the sacred nature of this mission, I consistently use the Fa as a benchmark to strictly discipline myself, frequently looking inward to rectify my own heart and mind, using my own diligence as the foundation for sustaining our practice site on a consistent basis.
Beyond personal cultivation, I realised that a practice site coordinator must possess a heart of tolerance, treating fellow practitioners like members of my own family. Sustaining a practice site involves more than just setting up an audio player or displaying a sign; at its core, it requires genuine care, sharing, and mutual encouragement. Mindful of Melbourne’s notoriously unpredictable weather, we stay attentive to conditions, reminding one another to dress warmly or selecting the most suitable spot for our exercises. We have also established a shared understanding: should the weather become too harsh for outdoor practice, we move to a nearby café to study the Fa and share our cultivation experiences. By maintaining strong righteous thoughts, regardless of external interference or tests, we have managed to keep our practice site running steadfastly. It is more than just a place to study the Fa and practice the exercises; it is a precious environment for cultivation, where practitioners look inward together, fostering a deep sense of unity and steady elevation for the whole body.
To maintain this environment, fellow practitioners actively coordinate unconditionally, proactively preparing contingency plans and arranging for substitute personnel whenever necessary. Through correcting our thoughts and actions, the exercise site operates seamlessly, transforming every unexpected situation into an opportunity to validate the Fa and demonstrate compassion and kindness.
In particular, maintaining this pure and upright energy field is of great significance for practitioners who have just begun their cultivation. Such individuals may easily feel apprehensive or insecure due to imprecise movements or a lack of deep understanding; without timely support, they could easily become discouraged and leave the one- body. Consequently, we make a conscious effort to pay special attention to them. Depending on the age and gender of the new practitioner, we discreetly arrange for appropriate fellow practitioners to reach out, offer guidance, and help them integrate in the most natural and harmonious way possible. When they sense a warmth akin to returning to their own home, these new practitioners not only persist in their cultivation but also become active members themselves, encouraging others to step forward. Through maintaining and safeguarding the Fitzroy practice site over the past three years, I enlightened that when we wholeheartedly dedicate our hearts and efforts to the well-being of fellow practitioners and all sentient beings, Master unlocks our wisdom and provides the best conditions for the local body to grow ever stronger, enabling us to fulfill our vows to assist Master in Fa-rectification.
3. Letting go of the ego through Shen Yun promotion and the collective effort of senior practitioners
In addition to maintaining a group exercise site, I have also had the good fortune to join a group of senior Vietnamese practitioners in Melbourne for the annual Shen Yun promotion campaign. Although most of us are in our later years, do not drive, and often face language barriers, we have the advantage of being available during the weekdays. Our group has taken the initiative to distribute flyers in remote, outlying areas that are difficult for busy young practitioners with jobs to reach.
This journey demanded extraordinary perseverance. We would often wake up very early, travel to the designated leaflet-distribution areas, and then walk for hours on end, while enduring the harsh summer weather of Australia. At times, fellow practitioners would suddenly experience severe physical ailments, such as intense back pain or fevers, just before we were set to depart. Yet, through righteous thoughts, driven by the commitment to assist our Teacher in saving sentient beings, they would miraculously overcome these challenges; their fatigue vanished, the symptoms also disappeared entirely. This high-intensity collaborative process occasionally gave rise to conflicts among us. Whenever such conflicts occurred, rather than looking outward to blame others, I would immediately look inward: Why did I feel uncomfortable? What hidden attachment lay beneath this sense of grievance? By doing so, I was able to identify my own human notions and promptly let go of them, transforming adversity into an opportunity to elevate my character.
It is precisely through these shared hardships and trials that, over the past three years, our group of senior Vietnamese practitioners in Melbourne has forged a solid, cohesive unit. On a regular monthly basis, we gather in central parks such as Fitzroy Gardens or Queen Victoria Gardens to study the Fa, practice the exercises, and share our cultivation experiences. These locations are also frequently visited by tourists, providing an ideal setting for us to Hong Fa, distribute flyers, and collect signatures for petitions to save sentient beings.
While coordinating and carrying out our projects, I gained a deeper understanding of a Fa principle: the true purpose of Dafa-related work is not merely to complete coordination tasks superficially, but to cultivate one’s xinxing. When projects intensify and time pressure mounts, I strive to keep my mind tranquil and look inward more deeply. At times, human attachments surface; I thought I had sacrificed and contributed a great deal, but when I reflect using the Fa, I am struck by the realization that this stems from a desire to show off and a deeply selfish need to validate the self. I understand that every Dafa project is an opportunity for us as individual particles to coordinate unconditionally, to let go of the ego together, and to elevate ourselves collectively in our cultivation.
4. Breaking Through Limitations and Rectifying Mindset Through Studying the Fa in Chinese
My faith and righteous thoughts were once again put to the test when I harbored the wish to study the Fa in Chinese. Initially, seeing fellow practitioners fluently reading the Fa in Chinese filled me with admiration; however, fearing that my advanced age and declining memory would be obstacles, I gave up halfway. It was only through the persistent encouragement of practitioners that I resolved to seriously face this challenge once more. The early stages were truly hard – I would wake up at four in the morning, dedicating every spare moment to recognising characters and tracing each stroke. I would learn something and then quickly forget it, then have to learn it all over again. Yet, as Master teaches in Lecture One of Zhuan Falun: “Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” When I exerted diligent, persistent effort without seeking any shortcuts, Master compassionately bestowed wisdom upon me. By now, our group can confidently read and understand nearly the entire second lecture, no longer encountering the significant hurdles we once faced.
Studying the Fa in Chinese has opened up deeper enlightenment regarding the inner meaning of cultivating the heart and mind. I have come to understand that cultivation is not limited to performing the exercises or sitting down to study the book; rather, it entails exercising strict self-discipline over even the subtlest thoughts in daily life. When encountering someone with a conflicting opinion, instead of immediately judging them to be wrong based on my own preconceived notions, I have learned to look inward to examine why my own mind has been moved. Conflicts that appear to stem from external circumstances are, in reality, perfect mirrors that help me identify my remaining attachments.
5. Conclusion
I once mistakenly believed that taking on a multitude of Dafa tasks was a sign of being diligent. However, as I deepened my study of the Fa, I truly realised that if one engages in Dafa work while still harboring selfish attachments such as a competitive mentality or a desire to show off, or fails to coordinate harmoniously with fellow practitioners, then it is not true cultivation at all.
Reflecting on my six-year journey of cultivation, and witnessing senior practitioners overcome the barriers of age, health, and personal circumstances to remain steadfast on their path, I really cherish this once-in-an-eternity opportunity even more. I understand that every transformation from my physical body to my character, as well as the wisdom and capabilities I possess today, have all been bestowed upon me by our compassionate Master. I remind myself to maintain strong righteous thoughts, strive forward vigorously, and do the “three things” well, so as not to fall short of Master’s protection and His immense efforts to save us.
Over more than six years of cultivation, Dafa has unveiled to me the profound truths I had spent half my life searching for. I enlightened that, while each person has their own unique circumstances and path, the sole key to elevation lies in persistently studying the Fa, doing the exercises, and genuinely cultivating xinxing. Th one- body is incredibly precious – a space where fellow practitioners can support, remind, and encourage one another – yet it also serves as a crucible that breaks down individual notions, teaching us to look inward and cooperate unconditionally. Looking back on the journey thus far, I remind myself that there are still many human attachments to be eliminated and many areas in which I must continue to improve.
I always keep in mind the words by Master from Lecture Nine of Zhuan Falun:
“Today we have made public to you this great practice. I have already delivered it to your doorstep. It is up to you whether you can cultivate and make it.”
Thank you, Master, for your compassionate salvation and for bestowing upon me this once-in-an-eternity opportunity to cultivate!
Thank you, fellow practitioners, for walking this path alongside me and for the compassionate support, creating an environment of diligent advancement together!
Wishing the Fa Conference complete and perfect success!
Heshi!