(Minghui.org) Everyday people believe that they are in control of their lives. But, this is far from the truth, as they can be easily controlled. A cultivator also has human notions, which can be also controlled.

When reading Master's Fa, “It is very easy to manipulate an ordinary person’s mind” (Zhuan Falun), I was shocked and felt that Master was giving me a hint, concerning this issue.

Factors Manipulating a Cultivator1. Animal possession: Animals will take advantage of a cultivator if he or she pursues supernormal abilities for treating illnesses, wanting the celestial eye, or desiring fame and wealth. The animal can easily manipulate a person, without the person being aware of this animal possession.

Master said:

“In fact, his Celestial Eye is not opened at all; it is that animal that controls his mind. That animal reflects what it sees with its eyes into his brain, so he thus thinks that his Celestial Eye has opened.” (Zhuan Falun)

“The animal sees it, "Don’t you want to make a fortune? Great, I’ll let you make money. It is very easy to manipulate an ordinary person’s mind.” (Zhuan Falun)

“Quite a few people have incurred possession by spirits or animals because their minds are not righteous. Their Main Consciousness are unable to control themselves and regard them as gong. Their bodies are dictated by the possessing spirits or animals, making them mentally disoriented or making them yell and scream.” (Zhuan Falun)

2. Foreign spirits: When we desire special abilities, such as “The Cosmic Language,” we will attract spirits, which will control our mind. The stronger our notions, the easier for the spirit to manipulate us.

Master said,

“It is that your mind is being controlled by a foreign spirit. Yet you may still find it quite good and you want it, as you are happy about it.” (Zhuan Falun)

“It moves freely in another dimension and can control everyday people quite easily.” (Zhuan Falun)

3. Assistant spirit: When our main spirits slack off or stays in a foggy and lazy state, our thoughts and decisions may be coming from the assistant spirits.

Master said,

“When one’s Main Consciousness relaxes and does not control the brain, one does not have a clear consciousness, as if one has fallen asleep. Either in a dream or in an unconscious state, one will be easily controlled by the Assistant Consciousness or the Assistant Spirit.” (Zhuan Falun)

4. Notions. Everyday people have many notions, which include attachments to fame, wealth, or sentimentality. Those who pursue fortune may commit crimes. Such people are controlled by their attachments. Unless one becomes aware of being controlled by one’s notions, their main spirit will not be in charge of the body.

Master said,

“Once humankind’s conventional mentalities form a systematic way of working and thinking, new ideas are very difficult to accept. When the truth emerges, people do not dare to accept it and instinctively reject it.” (Zhuan Falun)

“Therefore, some people have developed the stubborn notion that only what one can see through the eyes is real and concrete. They do not believe what they cannot see.” (Zhuan Falun)

“Some people even comment on everything—from their workplace to state affairs. There is nothing that they will not talk about, and they will be quite upset if something does not agree with their way of thinking.” (Zhuan Falun)

“As for some people, no matter how you tell them about it, they still will not believe and will think that it is more practical to be everyday persons. They will hold on to their stubborn beliefs rather than relinquish them, and this renders them unable to believe.” (Zhuan Falun)

5. Demons from one's own mind: When a cultivator has a high self-esteem and thinks that he or she is better than others, he or she will be interfered with by the demons from his or her mind.

Master said:

“Some people also hear this with their ears. A demon will interfere with him and say: 'You’re greater than Li Hongzhi. You’re so much greater than Li Hongzhi'. He will also believe it.” (Zhuan Falun)

Control Over Cultivators

Cultivators also have human notions, and thus they may be under the control of not only their notions, but other entities. When the main consciousness is weak and slacks off, a cultivator can be controlled. If a cultivator fails to look inward, he or she may be controlled by the notion of “looking outward.” If a cultivator is not compassionate, he or she may be controlled by the sentimentality attachment resulting in complaints and hatred.

Since people, even during prior lives, have been in a state of complaining and blaming others, these notions have grown really strong. If a cultivator does not let go of such notions, he or she will never be in control of him or herself.

The worst scenario is that a cultivator's main consciousness has not been clear for a long time, and strong pursuits occupy his or her mind. It is dangerous for a cultivator to remain in such a state for a long time.

Master said,

“Many of you think that this is qigong, but how can this be qigong practice? This is only the lowest state of healing and fitness, yet it is very dangerous. If you are accustomed to this way, your Main Consciousness will always be unable to control yourself. Then your body might be dominated by the Assistant Consciousness, foreign messages, possessing spirits or animals, etc. You might engage in some dangerous acts and cause great damage to the community of cultivators.” (Zhuan Falun)

There is much that is trying to control a cultivator's mind, and each and everyone has its own purpose. If one's main consciousness fails to control one's mind, then demons, animals and foreign spirits can possess the body.

Discarding Manipulation and Manipulators

A cultivator must be clear that he or she cannot be manipulated by foreign spirits.

Master said,

“As a true practitioner, how can you let it control you? Furthermore, it comes from a very low level. As genuine practitioners, we thus should not invite these troubles.” (Zhuan Falun)

“Being the soul of all matter, human beings are most precious. How can you be controlled by these things?” (Zhuan Falun)

Furthermore, studying the Fa with a clear main consciousness will help us get rid of being manipulated. The Fa will guide and show us what is good from evil and right from wrong.

Master said,

“The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts.” (“Drive Out Interference” from Essentials for Further Advancement II)

Thus, studying the Fa well will help us eliminate all manipulation by demons, foreign spirits, possession, notions, and any evil.

We also need to send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate any interference. We need to be in control of our mind at every moment, be aware that our main consciousness is in charge, and be guided by the righteous thoughts of a cultivator.

When hateful thoughts surface, we need to eliminate them, and assure that we handle everything with compassion. When lustful desires attack we need to eliminate the interference, and remind ourselves that such a desire is not our real self.

We should not follow our notions, as we will be controlled by whatever notion we accept. Once we eliminate the interference, we will be free of any manipulation.

We also need to get rid of pursuits. Where does the animal possession come from? How can demons control people?

Master said, “There are quite a few such cases, and these people all got spirit or animal possession through their own pursuits.” (Zhuan Falun)

All pursuits are unrighteous, and will attract evil entities. All we need to remember is, if we do not have any pursuits, our mind is righteous, and our behavior is aligned with the Fa. Only then will the Fa and Master protect us.

When we get rid of manipulation we raise our level. As long as we look inward, keep cultivating and letting go of our attachments, our level will rise and we will truly become higher level beings. As long as we let go of everyday people's notions, fewer substances will be able to control us.

At higher levels, low-level spirits will not be able to reach us. Thus, we will no longer be governed by age, sickness, and death, and have broken through everyday people's level. As a result, low level beings can no longer manipulate us.