(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from all over Latvia gathered for an experience-sharing conference in Riga on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Eleven practitioners shared their personal cultivation stories and talked about the tribulations they overcame and understandings they gained from their recent cultivation experiences.

Conference participants

Practitioners share their cultivation experiences on stage.

Understanding What It Means to Cultivate the Heart

Norlina, who has been practicing for two years, shared her understanding of what it means to cultivate your heart, “I wasn’t clear about what it meant to cultivate your heart for a long time. On some level, I felt that it was important, but only recently did I gain a deeper understanding of what it really means.

“I encountered several situations where my attachment to what other people thought of me emerged. It took me a long time to realize how deep and pervasive this attachment was.

“I realized that I usually do things just to get approval from others. But that shouldn’t be the case. Everything I do should be done only because I know it’s right and in accordance with the nature of the universe, and not out of a desire for approval. Realizing this and looking back on those unpleasant situations, I realized that if I didn’t have these attachments, all those people wouldn’t have had any power over me. As long as I have this awareness that I’m trying to do the right thing and not seeking approval I won’t be held back by resentment. I’ll be able to see other people more objectively, and I’ll also be able to look at myself better. I sincerely hope that I can endure the future trials on my path of cultivation.”

Cultivating While Leading a Team

Lauris spoke about the cultivation experience he gained by becoming a local coordinator and coordinating hosting Shen Yun in Latvia, “My understanding is that in order to successfully help Master save sentient beings, I must definitely pay close attention to my own cultivation. Today, I understand even more that this means studying the Fa well so that what we do in this historical period will have the power of the Fa.

“After I became a coordinator, my thinking gradually changed, and I knew that Master was giving me strength and wisdom, and planned everything so that we could succeed in inviting Shen Yun to Latvia, thus giving us the opportunity to save sentient beings. Since 2022, I have been working purposefully to make it happen. Now, looking back on what we have done, I can’t even really tell you how it all worked out. What is absolutely clear is that Master already planned everything.”

Improving While Volunteering for Shen Yun

Jolanta talked about the opportunities for improvement, difficulties and trials that she encountered while preparing for Shen Yun to come to Latvia. At first, she took on the role of a consultant in selling tickets for Shen Yun performances, answering people’s calls. After the first phone call, she realized that she had to be ready to receive a phone call at any time, as well as always be in a positive mood, so from then on she tried to start every morning with studying the Fa and doing the exercises.

“Working as a ticket sales consultant, Master gave me the opportunity to improve myself in this area. First, to improve my speech. When talking on the phone, I tried to give rational answers, not based on emotions. Second, it helped me learn to coordinate better with other practitioners, because when I was unclear on issues, I turned to them for help.”

During the performances, she worked as a security guard in the theater where she had to coordinate with other practitioners—this did not always work out well and led to various misunderstandings. She said, “When analyzing these situations, what did I see in myself? That during the performance I had a feeling of joy, which [my attachments] took advantage of. I also had a human idea that I was suitable for this duty.

“In conclusion, I would like to say that participating helping with Shen Yun in Latvia was a valuable experience for me. I hope that Shen Yun will be in Riga again next year. I know that people in Latvia will be waiting for Shen Yun, because I saw their emotions during and after the performances – people applauded loudly, others wiped away tears, others excitedly shared their impressions with friends. Thank you Master, thank you to my fellow practitioners! I will continue to help Shen Yun in Latvia next year, because I know that it helps save my people and guarantees them a happy future!”

Learning to Be Accepting of Others’ Shortcomings

Ilze talked about how she examined herself during the process of improvement. Her daily work is related to searching for, evaluating, and hiring new employees. “While studying the Fa I realized that I had to rise above the feelings of ordinary people and accept my colleagues as they are. When I understood and accepted this, I unexpectedly began to face new trials: several extremely irrational people appeared around me, disturbing my comfortable, rational life.

“Looking inside myself, I saw in others the lack of discipline that I had myself. I saw that I was not a diligent practitioner, because I did not do all three things that practitioners should do every day, and I was often not diligent in sending righteous thoughts and clarifying the truth. When I noticed this lack of discipline in myself, and after reading Master’s article “Wake Up,” I began to look at these people differently.”

Facing Tribulations with a Cultivator’s Attitude

Judite described how she was affected by painful illness symptoms, “Actually, it was a test of how I would understand, perceive, or react to this particular matter, situation, or event. It was a question of my understanding. It was a process of cultivation. But I mistakenly thought of it as illness, and then it all turned into a very difficult and long process of overcoming the suffering.”

After suffering from this karma for several years, she finally realized that it was time to improve her level, to improve her xinxing. When she went to the doctor, he did not find anything wrong and said that everything was fine! She realized that she did not have strong enough faith in Master. “It only confirmed that I did not have any illnesses! It was an illusion!

“I am extremely grateful to Master for his care and guidance, and to the practitioners for their help and endurance. I am determined to continue to cultivate diligently, do the three things well, study the Fa, and help Master save sentient beings!”