(Minghui.org) A few casual words can sometimes cause a misunderstanding.
A female Falun Dafa practitioner saw a male practitioner and they discussed rescuing detained practitioners. In hopes of continuing the conversation, the female practitioner said, “How about we have lunch together?” However, the male practitioner misinterpreted her suggestion as a hint that she wanted a personal relationship.
I experienced a similar situation—my honest intention was misinterpreted by a male practitioner.
When I lived alone, I wasn’t able to do physically demanding tasks. One day, I asked a male practitioner if he could help me with something at my house. He initially agreed, but just before he was due to arrive, he suddenly said he couldn’t come. I didn’t think too much about it.
I later realized why he may have changed his mind about coming to my home. In today’s society, many people no longer think relationships between men and women can be platonic. The male practitioner may have wanted to avoid any chance of misunderstanding and not enter a single woman’s home, where they would be alone.
Whenever I encounter similar situations, I either find ways to solve the problem myself, or I hire someone. When strangers come, it’s best to have friends or relatives present. I avoid being alone with a single man. I believe this protects both parties.
As female practitioners, we need to watch our words and behavior to avoid potential misunderstandings. Just because our intentions are pure doesn’t mean others perceive them that way. It’s important to consider things from others’ perspectives, especially when interacting with the opposite sex.
A male colleague had a habit of touching others, including women, when he talked. When he touched me, I calmly told him, “A gentlemen speaks without using his hands.” He immediately understood and never did it again. Whenever conversations turn into inappropriate jokes between men and women, I always distance myself.
As social norms deteriorate, we can hardly imagine how impure some people’s thoughts are. Some are pleased if they are attractive to the opposite sex. But for practitioners, if we attract others this way, it might be a sign that something in our mindset or behavior needs correcting. Others may suffer because they are attracted to us, and that creates karma for us.
In this chaotic world, when we interact with the opposite sex, we must uphold traditional morals and make sure our behavior is upright. In doing so, we not only cultivate ourselves better but also set a good example for others.
Articles in which cultivators share their understandings typically reflect an individual's perception at a point in time based on their cultivation state, and they are offered in the spirit of enabling mutual elevation.
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Category: Cultivation Insights
