(Minghui.org) Master Li (Falun Dafa’s founder) spoke early on about fundamental attachments and that practitioners should completely eliminate them. I reflected on the beginning of my cultivation and what originally motivated me to practice Falun Dafa.
Master said,
“Studying the Fa with attachment is not true cultivation. Yet during the course of cultivation a person may gradually become aware of his fundamental attachments, rid himself of them, and thus meet the standard for a cultivator. What is a fundamental attachment, then? Human beings acquire many notions in this world and are, as a consequence, driven by them to pursue what they yearn for.” (“Towards Consummation”, The Essentials of Diligent Progress II)
When I read an article about Falun Dafa in a magazine in 1998, I immediately felt it was a genuine cultivation practice. At that time, I had a strong desire to escape suffering and hardship. I hoped that by practicing Falun Dafa and reading the teachings, I would be freed from earthly afflictions. However, I gradually realized that what I truly longed for was a carefree and comfortable life, free from hardship. I hoped that Master would eliminate my karma and allow me to experience wonderful, blissful moments in other dimensions through meditation. As a child and as an adult I endured much suffering, and now I hoped for a life without hardship. It was as if, by practicing Falun Dafa, I now had a protective shield.
However, over time I realized that true cultivation is serious. My idea of instant enlightenment was a grand illusion and naive wishful thinking. As a practitioner I was supposed to endure hardship and suffering, view them as part of the cultivation path, and be grateful for them. My initial xinxing trials were easy to pass, so I was elated and felt that I could easily succeed in my cultivation. I couldn’t understand why some practitioners had so many obstacles and illness karma, which they couldn’t resolve even after a long time. This led me to believe that I had a better innate foundation than others. I became arrogant, looked down on others, and took credit for what Master did for me. Isn’t that an expression of overconfidence, condescension, appropriation of others’ achievements, and arrogance? Master, I was wrong! You have endured so much for me so that I may have the honor of being a Falun Dafa practitioner today. I firmly reject and dissolve this attachment!
Interpersonal challenges gradually arose, particularly within my family and with other practitioners. The more difficult the trials became, the less I could shield myself from them. I looked inward and saw my attachment to a carefree life. During the arguments, I had to confront my own perspective and also accept other opinions. When faced with false accusations, I had to be lenient and resolve the resentment. These insights helped me to better understand my fellow practitioners and not judge their struggles based on my limited understanding.
A fellow practitioner often tried to control and criticize me. She pointed out that I shouldn’t send my messages about Falun Dafa via an email group and then also via a mobile phone group at the same time, since she already received many messages every day. I was surprised by her blunt criticism, as she was the only one who objected. A few days later, I saw that she often did the same thing, and sent messages to both groups. At first, I was taken aback, and then I thought I should point this out to her.
I reminded myself not to retaliate. This was a good opportunity to look within. Wasn’t every situation also a reflection of myself? I controlled myself but I was still somewhat agitated inside. I realized that I had a tendency to emphasize the faults of others. Furthermore, I focused outwardly instead of looking inward. I absolutely have to eliminate my ego and arrogance. Didn’t I lack compassion in those moments? Actually, I should be grateful to this practitioner for exposing my attachments so that I could improve. Wasn’t compassionate Master using this to give me a hint to improve my xinxing? How could I be so ungrateful for Master’s arrangement? I should definitely be grateful to him.
Master said,
“The Fa Rectifies the Cosmos
Compassion can harmonize Heaven and Earth,ushering in springRighteous thoughts can save the peoplein this world”(Hong Yin II)
Compassion can truly melt away resentment. When I think of others first and don’t put myself first, my heart is open wide.
Reluctance and Breakthrough
Last year, my husband suddenly became almost completely immobile. At the time, he was in southern Switzerland. I quickly packed a few things and drove there in three hours. When I saw him, I was shocked: he could barely walk and his voice was weak. He didn’t want to be examined at the hospital because we didn’t know what was wrong. I was very worried. We recited, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are good.” He wanted to have a meal with me at a restaurant. But that evening, he ended up in the hospital. The examination showed he had a mild stroke. He insisted on leaving the hospital after a few hours and signed his discharge papers. Thanks to Master’s compassionate assistance, we returned home smoothly.
In the following days, I often had to wash my husband’s clothes because he could no longer go to the toilet at night. At first, the smell disgusted me, and I found it difficult to wash the soiled underwear and sometimes the bedsheets. Then I said to myself, “I am a Falun Dafa practitioner and I can overcome this hurdle. He is suffering enough already, and I should not complain about such trivialities; isn’t this an opportunity to eliminate my attachment?” I was able to wash his clothes without feeling that it was disgusting. I also managed to empathize more with him. This process opened my heart, and my compassion grew. I am grateful to Master for this experience.
Difficult Decisions
This year, my husband had to undergo sudden emergency back surgery. I was worried. The surgery went very well, and the surgeon was quite satisfied. But what was planned as a two-week hospital stay ended up being five weeks. During that time, I visited my husband almost every day. We read the Fa together, and repeated “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are good,” and we went for short walks. Since my husband wasn’t able to study the Fa well on his own, I was somewhat disappointed. Later, I realized that I could only gently encourage him, and not put any pressure on him.
We planned to go to Füssen together to watch Shen Yun. I was also scheduled to work in public relations at NTD Television. Because of my husband’s extended hospital stay, I was torn about whether we could even go to Füssen. I had some sleepless nights. I discussed it with my husband, and he thought I should go alone.
I realized I had to rely on myself to make a decision. I thought, “Did I make the right decision? Should I simply cancel working with NTD Television on such short notice? What will everyday people think if I leave my husband alone in the hospital? What attachments do I have? Am I afraid of being looked down on and of losing face? If I don’t go, is it because of human notions? Am I following the old forces’ arrangements?”
Shortly before I left for Füssen, I received confirmation that my husband was in good medical care and he would be transferred to a picturesque rehabilitation clinic in two days. I was relieved. I decided to travel to Füssen alone. In this process, I became aware of another attachment. Because I struggled with my decision for so long, I also recognized a certain impatience within myself. I often tend to get things done as quickly as possible so I can move on to other tasks. In doing so, I realized that I didn’t fully trust that everything would unfold as it should. Instead, I frequently tried to control the course of events according to my own ideas. I should trust the natural flow of life (wuwei) and trust that everything would fall into place at the right time.
Dear fellow practitioners, in this final moment of Fa-rectification let us diligently move forward together, recognize and correct our shortcomings, and return home with Master.
I thank compassionate Master for his immense grace. I also thank the fellow practitioners who have accompanied me on this path of cultivation.
(Selected for the 2026 Fa Conference in German-speaking Switzerland)
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