A Slight Understanding of Cultivating One’s Inner Self

In cultivation, we often encounter conflicts with people and conflicts between practitioners. For Falun Dafa practitioners, of course, we should react by cultivating one’s inner self. However, many times due to the rooted concept of “self-closure”, what we think of cultivating our inner selves it unnaturally becomes us seeking for outside solutions. I had a deep discussion and experience sharing with some practitioners. When each of us brought up our perspectives toward each other, and could not reach an agreement but instead insisted on our own opinions, I realised in my status the true meaning of cultivating one’s inner self under the great pains in getting rid of one's attachment.

What the people see on the surface of a conflict may differ from its truth dramatically. “Cultivating one’s inner self” is the root method. Seeking answers from the signs on the surface of conflicts may dig out many possible roots. However, what truly takes effect in Dafa is the effect of “Self-salvation offered by Falun’s inward rotation ”. Every thought that we have must be based on Dafa, and this allows the “self-salvation offered by Falun’s inward rotation”. Falun also has the feature of “salvation to others offered by outward rotation” on the other hand. When a person unselfishly thinks of others without a thought of himself, he sends out purified light of compassion and things are seen very clearly. This is also the effect of Dafa.

Cultivating one’s inner self is connected to the Fa’s [Law and principles of Falun Gong] mechanism. When a practitioners acts encompass Dafa, they naturally cultivate their inner self. It is just like the case where one would naturally wipe his face if he new it was dirty. Based on Dafa, this is the same as cultivation, in which the good sides, after having been cultivated, is automatically separated. Here, there exists some misunderstanding when practitioners speak to others whenever s/he has done something or s/he speaks of the phrase, “cultivating one’s inner self” often times. It looks like they are negotiating with someone. This phenomenon reflects that one's cultivation is not solid. If you cultivate to that particular level, you would regard it as nothing, and forget about everything that you have cultivated. When one cultivates to be an enlightened person and generates great benevolent compassion, s/he will not feel that s/he is kind to others. Teacher Li mentioned, “...even if it’s a small thing, my first thought's are for others. As it has evolved naturally, I always put others first.” If we can really do the same, Falun’s feature of “self-salvation offered by Falun’s inward rotation” will take effect. By doing so, we are acting in accordance with Dafa and we are assimilating with Dafa.

It is very important to communicate and share among practitioners. If the communication is good, then your understanding of the Fa can rise quickly. How do we make sure that the communication amongst practitioners is good? It is in the act of "encompassing Dafa”. Falun has the features of “self-salvation offered by Falun’s inward rotation, and salvation to others offered by outward rotation”. When we cultivate our inner selves, we care about others’ improvement in cultivation. And our care about people allows us to fulfil the role of “acting in encompassing Dafa” and assimilating to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. If we are unable to understand the deeper meaning of “assimilating to Dafa”, cultivating one's inner self can only dig out attachments on the surface, and it’s very likely that we proceed with some concept behind.

Sometimes practitioners have different opinions, or even worse. To achieve our mission in developing an aspiration to offer salvation to all beings, we must get rid of all attachments.

Here, I share with practitioners what I have learned. Please point out with compassion any mistakes.

Originally in Chinese at
http://www.yuanming.net/articles/200211/14361.html