Cultivating “Forbearance”

(Minghui.org) My recent personal cultivation experience validated what Master taught us:

“Forbearance is the key to improving one’s xinxing.” (“What is Forbearance (Ren)?” Essentials for Further Advancement)

“Let each and everythingbe measured against the Fa.Only then, with that,is it actually cultivation.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)

I am a male practitioner in my late 40s, and I work in a restaurant. When I first started here, one of my coworkers criticized me regularly me for over a year. Although she was mean to me, I still respected her because she was older. I worked diligently, following the rules, taking initiatives, and doing extra work, but she always found fault with me.

Once, just before we opened, I got out some sesame seeds that I knew we would need. But she disapproved, saying that I got them out at the wrong time. Another time, when I was getting produce out of the freezer, I picked up a couple of bok choy I knew we needed. She criticized me again. In short, whenever we worked the same shift, she always picked on me. I realized that this was all to improve my character.

I realized that it was to eliminate my competitiveness and resentfulness, and I kept working on doing that. As time went on, although I tried to endure it, the anger and bitterness were excruciating and seemed endless, so I kept reciting the Fa. On my way home one day, recalling how I was scolded that day, I felt angry and started reciting the Fa over and over again. I suddenly realized that getting rid of competitiveness needs to be from one’s heart, not just from one’s words. In that instant, it was as if my heart opened up, and all the anger and bitterness went away.

Later, I started to recite Master’s teaching about forbearance:

“Forbearance is the key to improving one’s xinxing. To endure with anger, grievance, or tears is the forbearance of an everyday person who is attached to his concerns. To endure completely without anger or grievance is the forbearance of a cultivator.” (“What is Forbearance (Ren)?” Essentials for Further Advancement)

While she was berating me, I would recite the Fa in my mind. My anger gradually disappeared as I recited.

Master said,

“If you cannot love your enemy, then you cannot reach Consummation.” (“Teachings at the Conference in Australia”)

I acted according to this Fa principle. While she was berating me, I developed compassion for her.

At the same time, many other challenges came at me all at once. I truly suffered hardships. Sometimes, the bitterness was so intense that even the taste in my mouth was bitter. Then I recited something else Master said,

“Cultivating gong has a path,mind is the way.On the boundless sea of Dafa,hardship is your ferry.” (“Falun Dafa,” Hong Yin)

As I recited, the bitterness lessened. I realized that cultivation requires being able to endure hardship.

My character gradually improved. And whenever I truly cultivated forbearance, I would be enlightened by the Fa. Although I was always cultivating forbearance, the enlightenment was different each time. Sometimes it was truthfulness, sometimes it was compassion, sometimes it was forbearance, and sometimes it was all three. Sometimes I understood it in my heart, but couldn’t describe it in words. The enlightenment I gained was never the same and could not be applied to a similar situation the next time I experienced it. I realized that it was because my character had improved. The principles I learned on one day could not guide my cultivation the next.

Although it’s always about forbearance, it leads to improvements in all aspects of one’s character. Today, forbearance helps eliminate this attachment and allows one to understand this principle. Tomorrow, forbearance helps eliminate a different attachment and leads to understanding another principle.

When I truly practice forbearance and my character truly improves, I will naturally know the principles that I should know at my level. One can only realize this by cultivating solidly.

Additionally, we shouldn’t focus on who is right or wrong, but only on our own hearts. When we are at fault, it is easy for us to admit our mistakes and correct ourselves. That does not have a very big impact on our cultivation. Only when it is someone else’s fault and we are treated unfairly do our hearts ache and we are given an opportunity to improve our character.

At such times, if our hearts can’t get over it, it’s definitely because of our attachments, and we should focus on eliminating them. We will be able to if we are determined. Master will strengthen us and help remove them for us. I have truly experienced this myself.

This is my personal experience. Please point out anything that is not in accordance with the Fa.