What We Want or Do Not Want Is Up to Us

In Zhuan Falun, Master teaches us,
"As long as you upgrade your xinxing, you can overcome them. Unless you, yourself do not want to do so, you can make it, provided you want to overcome them."

I have come to understand what Master says is absolutely true.

I knew an elderly practitioner who had been troubled by sickness karma since July 20, 1999. Because of her attachment of fear and dependence on using drugs to cure her illness, she was sent to the hospital by her family. On the way to the hospital, she was still able to walk. Later, she fell into a deep coma. When practitioners learned about her condition, they went to the hospital and sent forth righteous thoughts to help clear away the interference affecting her. One hour later, she regained consciousness. Nevertheless, several days later, she passed away. We later learned from her family that she had already gotten her affairs in order before she died.

There was another practitioner who had a similar experience. The only difference was that this practitioner had one righteous thought, "No matter what, I must walk my path to the very end with Master until the last day of Fa-rectification." She made it through even when her life was in great danger many times.

One day, as I was studying "Teaching the Fa at the Western U.S. Fa Conference," I came to understand that the determining factor for one's life is the main consciousness, not one's blood pressure, pulse, or the respiratory system as modern science believes. In fact, modern science is also a belief system. Whether one believes in the Fa or modern science on this subject is a matter of "Practicing Only One Cultivation Way."

Regarding that practitioner who passed away, I think that no matter how hard Master tries to strengthen her or fellow practitioners give her support, it was she who chose to end her life that way. That's why she passed away.

During the course of my cultivation, I have come to understand that when I encounter a tribulation or test, it is up to me what I want to do with it. I remember that once I had a conflict with a fellow practitioner. At that time, I couldn't stop thinking about how bad this practitioner was in my mind. However, I knew it was not me who was thinking those negative things, so I rejected those thoughts. All of a sudden, I came to see the deep attachment of my selfishness. Subsequently, those bad thoughts disappeared. In the course of our cultivation, if we are firm and steadfast in the Fa, we can overcome any difficulties or tribulation no matter how great they seem. Of course, we should constantly study the Fa and look within ourselves to make sure that happens.

In Zhuan Falun, Master says:
"When it's difficult to endure, you can endure it. When it's impossible to do, you can do it. In fact, that is how it is. Why don't you give it a try when you return home. When you are overcoming a real hardship or tribulation, you try it. When it is difficult to endure, try to endure it. When it looks impossible and is said to be impossible, give it a try and see if it is possible. If you can actually do it, you will indeed find: "After passing the shady willow trees, there will be bright flowers and another village ahead!"

I wrote this article because I wanted to encourage myself and my fellow practitioners when we are amidst tribulations or tests. Even when we are not clear about the principles of the Fa, or can't find anything wrong with ourselves, we should still have faith that we can overcome any difficulties, provided we believe that it is up to us whether we want to pass them or not.