PureInsight | December 3, 2001
Currently, many practitioners unconsciously categorize, in terms of major and minor, the activities they devote to Fa-rectification and the other problems they encounter. And they mistakenly think that major things are important whereas minor things are downgraded. This is occurs because of the inability of some practitioners to do both cultivation and Fa-rectification very well.
In fact, this kind of differentiation of big and small is based on human's notions. During cultivation, anything that practitioners encounter is not accidental. We must not use human notions to decide which one is more important or which one is less so. It is not wrong that Dafa disciples have ambitious minds and high aspirations. However, Master Li always advises us: 'cultivate yourself solidly' ('Towards Consummation'). Please think about it, in our mundane everyday activities, in our contradictions with family members or colleagues, if we do not use our righteous thoughts to deal with it all, if we do not search within and do not consider ourselves as practitioners, we will indulge our own demon natures. Then, for practitioners, what could be the result? When we indulge our own attachments and demon natures, we may be utilized by evils. Under the influence of intact attachments and notions, we miss opportunities to reveal truths to the world's people and save them, we even leave loopholes for evil. What would be the result? When persons in charge mishandle their relationships with other practitioners, they indulge themselves, they dominate other practitioners and destroy the cultivation environment. What will be the result?
There is such an attitude among practitioners. It seems that only doing more 'major' things would serve Fa-rectification, and personal improvement in cultivation may be put in a secondary position. In fact, Master Li has told us early how to correctly treat the relationship between personal cultivation and Fa-rectification. 'Do you realize that as long as you are a cultivator, in any environment or under any circumstances, I will use any troubles or unpleasant things you come across - even if they involve work for Dafa, or no matter how good or sacred you think they are - to eliminate your attachments and expose your demon-nature so that it can be eliminated, for your improvement is what is most important.” (“Further Understanding” in Essentials for Further Advancement); “You can't do Dafa work without studying the Fa, or it would be an everyday person doing Dafa work. It has to be Dafa disciples who do Dafa work--this is something required of all of you. If everyday people help with Dafa work, of course it's a good thing, but what I'm talking about is Dafa disciples. You must be a Dafa disciple doing Dafa work, because your Consummation is of primary importance. Right now, your Consummation is first and foremost. Of course, your being responsible to Dafa and saving sentient beings is part of your Consummation.”(from “Lecture on the Fa at the Washington, D.C. International Conference').
Only by practicing 'full of great aspirations while minding minor details' (“Sage” in Essentials for Further Advancement) and at the same time exercising prudent judgment, can we use the Fa’s standard to deal with everything we meet in our cultivation. By holding every single thought to the standard of the Fa, can we really upgrade ourselves, and then truly walk toward consummation.
All of the above is just my personal understanding. If there is any improper, please point it out with leniency for making it correct.
Translated from:
http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2001/11/16/12507.html
