PureInsight | October 15, 2001
Using true thoughts
It was August 20, two years ago, in Washington, D.C. One day, after group practice in a big square, I was sitting with the group of Dafa disciples, thinking that the gods in Heaven were angry due to the evil’s interference with Dafa, and remembering Master Li’s appeal to the entire world. Suddenly, an idea came out of the depths in my heart, “I want to fast.” I was willing to use my life to appeal to the cosmos for Dafa.
It was only a very simple true thought, but immediately my whole body began to change from inside to outside. Everywhere within me it felt as if flowers were blossoming. I could not help shedding tears like rain. These earth-shaking feelings lasted for quite a while and then gradually subsided.
After that, all kinds of thoughts began to surface. What if my family would oppose it? What would I do if they became worried about my getting sick? What could I do if others laughed at me? Would I really end my life like this? I was lost in thought for quite a while, but I returned to awareness suddenly. I realized that all these thoughts were only human notions and I still wanted to fast.
After having this thought, I felt my body start shaking again. Although I could not see it, I felt the soul-stirring changes. I began to cry again.
I was not even aware that my human notions were starting to intrude little by little as I continued to cry. I became emotional. Other disciples tried to dissuade me from fasting, but I did not listen. At that point, I did not even think of the logistics involved with the fasting itself, such as when, where and for how long. Later on, with the help of other disciples, I was able to calm down. This lesson was also profound. It made me realize the solemnity of cultivation for the first time.
The idea of fasting came back several times in the following days. Each time, I gained more understandings about fasting from a logistic point of view. However, I always felt I would do it some day, sooner or later. Two years later, in August, a Dafa disciple called to say that he was going to Washington, D.C. to fast and asked me if I would be able to go. I could not help but smile and said, “You’ve found the right person!”
Unexpectedly, fasting itself came as something very natural for me. During the seven-day fast, I did not feel too much bodily pain, and I did not think I had too much to endure. I felt so energetic that I did not fall asleep before midnight on any day. What bothered me more was the friction between people and the relations between people and things. I could feel the hesitation, confusion, and improvements in thinking and understanding among all the practitioners.
In the declaration statement of our fast, we mentioned that we were appealing for those Dafa disciples in China with our own lives. At that time, many disciples were afraid that we were planning to give our lives for this cause. In fact, I felt that our pure intention was very precious at that time. We were sending out our true thoughts! We sincerely tried our best to appeal for those Dafa disciples in China, to ease the extent of the persecution they suffered, to arouse the consciences of common people, and to break through the obstruction of the old forces. The determination and momentum of such a true thought was of great value. The breakthroughs and changes in other dimensions resulted from sending out true thoughts, and what follows are responses in this dimension. The SOS rescue campaigns are absolutely not just activities, and it is not enough for everyone to attend and support by physically being there. Everyone’s total dedication with his heart and soul is the key to these activities. Under the frenzied persecution by evil doers, those disciples detained in China are kept under a black curtain of evil. The longer they stay under it, the more they are in danger of being absorbed into it. In the cases of those disciples who cannot step out, the more they are clouded by evil, the more difficult it is for them to break out. After their millions upon millions of years of waiting, should we not try our best to rescue them?
The Meaning of Fasting
We are making an appeal for the disciples in China by using our own lives. However, I feel that we should be clearly aware that the whole fasting experience has exceeded the test of whether overseas disciples could let go life and death. There are many ways to test if disciples have let go life and death. In “Teaching the Fa at the 2001 Canada Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference,” Master said, “You have already gone through the course of cultivation. You are beings who are being established for Dafa.” Many overseas disciples have been safeguarding and upholding Dafa. They have gradually reached such a xinxing level during the course of “assisting the Teacher in the human world.” For our fast, breaking through the arrangement mad by the old evil forces is the true meaning and the reason behind the establishment of mighty virtue.
If it is said that during all kinds of SOS activities long-distance walking and riding expresses the disciples’ firm determination and willpower, I think that fasting expresses the sense of urgency more completely. In following the evil’s arrangement, this persecution could probably have lasted for several hundred years. The evil forces are trying their best to lull us, and they are numbing our feelings to the frequent reports of the brutal persecution. They are also making the ordinary people numb. However, with the emergence of overseas practitioners fasting, along with the worldwide walking, Falun Dafa has aroused the concern and support of the media, the government and the public again. At the same time, it would help us not to be driven to seek after comfort, but to keep the necessary sense of urgency in the forefront of our minds. Master said, “At present, humankind’s every day is arranged according to Dafa’s needs.” (from “What Are Supernormal Abilities.”)
This sense of urgency does not require us to feel rushed, to be eager for quick success and instant benefit, and to pursue the short-term effect. Instead, it requires us to quickly break through and give up all kinds of ordinary people’s mentalities, and to reach to our own original highest positions. We should make more disciples step forward as soon as possible and let ordinary people know the truth and become part of the great momentum of rectifying the Fa in this world.
Striving Forward in Dafa
In the last two or three days of fasting, since our own minds were not very clear at that time and we did not steady our hearts by studying the Fa well, it seemed that the morale of the troops was down. In addition, all kinds of interference from ordinary people’s attachments made us lie down to rest more frequently. Originally, there were no mosquitoes in our “headquarters” under the big trees. After our righteous thoughts were weakened, even the number of mosquitoes increased.
It reminded me of a restaurant where I ate when I went back to China last April. There were many flies all over in that restaurant. At that time, my mind was very righteous, and I had no impure thoughts. Not one fly came over to bother me. However, when I was aware of that phenomenon later, I could not help my ordinary human mentality and my attachment of showing off. Right away, flies came over to me.
If we ourselves are not righteous enough, we have no great power to rectify the outside environment. It depends on whether we can keep studying the Fa well and continue to purify ourselves. In recalling my past cultivation, every time when I did not study the Fa well was a time when I did not strive forward. While fasting, I also learned the same lesson.
Master repeatedly stressed the importance of studying the Fa. I hope I can really pay attention to it from my heart and not relax. In his lectures, Master Li has continuously tried to increase our breadth of mind. This Fa has become more and more magnificent and far-reaching. First it covered the universe, then the celestial bodies, then the system of the cosmos, and, finally, the colossal firmament. Master requires us to reach our highest original positions. Without the guidance of the Fa, without the power of Fa, we ourselves have no way to reach our original positions no matter what we do in this world.
I hope that I will be like so many other disciples who are rectifying the Fa, enter the powerful current of rectifying the Fa, and keep pace with the Fa-rectification process. Together, let us walk toward the great realms created for us by our Teacher, toward magnificence, toward boundlessness, and toward the greatness of final consummation.
Translated from:
http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2001/9/21/11720.html
