Saturday, October 20, 2001
My ears picked up when I, in Germany, heard about an activity, taking place in Dublin/Ireland to support the release of Zhao Ming. I had read about his case on several occasions and had been touched by his perseverance and endurance at his treatment in the labor camp in China, where he has been incarcerated under heavy abuse for the past 1- years. I had not had the chance to meet him in person since I began cultivation, but when I read his story I cried. I felt an inner connection to him, as if I had met him already in a former life.
It was clear to me that I had to travel to Dublin, because I wanted his senseless suffering and the sufferings of all the other practitioners in China to come to an end. Besides, I knew that many of the German practitioners would not be able to go there, since they had just returned from activities in Rome. Such an activity has the greatest impact the more people participate in it.
I had a few hurdles to deal with, though. I had just started a job in a bakery, where I worked for three hours every morning in their deli. I was a new employee. Several of the other employees were off sick. How could I ask for a day's leave under those circumstances? I had already imposed on them once by taking a day off. While I was at work my mind was filled with only these thoughts: "How should I phrase my request? Will they grant it? What will they think of me? As a cultivator I wanted to do my work well..." It occurred to me that these thoughts concerned only me and almost let me forget the urgency of the situation. Considering Zhao Ming's serious circumstances I mustered all my courage and asked my employer if it was possible to work overtime and whether they could count that as part of a workday. My supervisor looked at me and realized that I had something on my mind. She said, "Do you have a request?" After a moment's hesitation I replied, " I would appreciate it to get Friday off, because I want to travel somewhere." To my astonishment she replied, "I can see how urgent this is. You are such a diligent worker. I will see what I can do for you. If necessary, I will take over your duties and you can go." She did not even ask for an explanation. Her charitable, unselfish act gladdened my heart. I had not even told her about the support action for Zhao Ming.
I had another problem -- the money. I could not afford a flight to Dublin and my husband had told me that we could not afford such an expense at this time. I went in search of a cheap ticket on the Internet. Also, I began to weigh up whether a flight to Dublin was a selfish wish. A friend found another solution, a reasonable ticket from Brussels to Dublin and a free trip from my home to Brussels in someone's car. I have noticed several times during my cultivation that an upright, unselfish true wish will be granted and formerly insurmountable difficulties will be removed.
The only remaining obstacle was once again my work schedule. One day off from work would not be enough. I needed two days off. I thought to ask for two days was unseemly, so I decided not to go. When I returned to work I met my supervisor. The thought to travel to Dublin popped into my mind again and mentally I asked for a chance to speak with her one more time regarding this trip. She approached me and I made up my mind to explain Zhao Ming's circumstances to her. But I did not even get that far. She only said, By the way, Mrs. X, it will not be a problem. I will see what I can do for you for someone to take your place and will call you later." With that she left. Not even five minutes later she returned and said, "All has been arranged! I wish you a nice vacation." My colleagues were surprised, "Amazing that you manage to get a day off." I don't find it surprising. Since the beginning of my cultivation I strive to do my work well and love to do it, from my heart. I don't do it only for the money; otherwise I would have bided my time to find work that pays better. I look on my job as a way to contribute to society. Within a month of my working at this branch of the bakery the income had gone up steadily. The chief managing officer of this chain of stores as well as the personnel chief frequently praise my work performance, telling me I do diligent and conscientious work. But that is not my doing. Only after I began to practice Falun Dafa did I realize the purpose and meaning of life. I know that it pays to be a good person and to persevere in Truth, Compassion and Tolerance, although it seems sometimes as if some things are permitted, after the motto: "Everyone can do and think what they want." We cannot override the Law of the Cosmos, which sees all of our bad thoughts and deeds and punishes or rewards everything accordingly." The Cosmic Law rewards good with good and evil is met with evil."
I told my colleagues about Falun Gong. It seems to influence them positively in their thoughts and actions. They try hard not to swear or, when they see that I don't complain about the customers and remain polite and calm in spite of their mistreatment and merely explain my point of view, the colleagues follow my example. When I tell them of my health improvements and share my and some other practitioners' daily experiences with them, they listen attentively and marvel at the effectiveness of Falun Gong.
Falun Dafa is really great. I am eternally grateful to be given the chance to learn Falun Dafa and to be able to share it with others. When I study these teachings I realize that not only does it have positive effects, but also comes from ancient wisdom, is a higher science which looks upon man as a whole in relationship with his true nature and the cosmos.
The only horror is that these good, traditional treasures of wisdom are endangered in China. Practitioners in China are groundlessly and horribly abused, persecuted and tortured. The practice of Falun Gong has been outlawed there, in spite of its positive effects on society, people's health and their moral standards. According to the persecutors, it supposedly endangers the state. The truth is, though, this virtue-less government fears this movement, which the state is unable to regulate and control. People go to the parks in the mornings by the thousands to do their exercises together and exchange their experiences. It is a method which moves the hearts of millions of people while the ruling party struggles ever more laboriously to defend its ideology and their standing of absolute power, to find it ever more difficult to keep their promises amidst a dissatisfied citizenry who are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the country's unsolved social problems.
How unfortunate for the Chinese government not to have recognized the value of Falun Dafa, which guides people on the path to become good individuals and allows them to return to their true, original nature.
Source: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/1506.html
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Category: Rallies & Protests
