Dear Master and fellow practitioners,
My name is Torsten Trey, and I am a Medical student. I started cultivation practice 3 ?years ago, and as a result, I feel I have a new life. I owe all of this to the practice of Falun Gong.
Seven years ago, my life seemed to become more and more distorted. It began by my failing the same examination several times. In addition, the 2nd State Examination, which followed, presented an invincible hurdle for me. During this time, I also had big problems with my family and my partner. The problems seemed to get worse from year to year.
I had tried very hard to solve the situation I experienced with studying, as I seemed to have a "block" which prevented me from studying. This had persisted for over 4 1/2 years. During that time I couldn't make a choice between traditional medicine and alternative medicine. I couldn't seem to find the answers I sought as a student in any area of medicine. I no longer had faith that I could ever complete my studies. Somehow I maintained my registration at the university, but I did not know the reason why. When I had come in touch with Falun Gong I had learned something about the karmic background of diseases. After I had started cultivation practice, I suddenly realized that I had to pick up the practice of studying again. I could immediately begin studying my course work as if there had never been a studying blockade. I found other students who were in a similar situation and studied with them. We passed our 2nd state examination a year ago, and in two weeks I'll have my final examination. What all other methods couldn't solve during the past 4 ?years, has been solved by Falun Gong within a month. This was my first experience, which showed how Dafa is able to correct conditions lastingly and clearly in my life.
By learning the Fa I realized gradually the importance of keeping a pure heart and discerning obstinate behaviour. Perhaps the work at the exercise site in our town is an example of the importance of a pure heart: We have only had a small group of practitioners for 3 ?years. However, the wish of one of the practitioners to have the group grow as fast as possible was very strong. We realized that behind this wish was the attachment of success. Once this attachment disappeared about a year ago, we tried to spread the Fa with a pure heart again. We began to spread the Fa more actively in our town, and during that time, the group began to grow naturally. During this year, two interested persons came to the group each month. I again realized that Falun Gong is not comparable to any other human activity or effort and we have to keep a pure heart. If we can give up the mentality of showing off, the whole strength of Dafa will manifest. One cannot hold back Dafa from outside; but as practitioners we have to cultivate ourselves better while spreading the Fa because our faults will be reflected immediately in the environment. I recognized that if we have pure hearts and do what we should do publicly, we would surely find the right way to spread the Fa.
?p align="JUSTIFY">My most impressive experience occurred twice during this year while I was in Geneva. At the Fa-conference I was deeply shaken and moved when so many practitioners reported their experiences while spreading the Fa. In the evening after the conference I knew that something had to change for me. When we did the exercises on the square in front of the United Nations, I suddenly saw that not conforming to the public's attitude was in fact something very natural. I questioned myself: "Why have any hesitation to represent something in public that is for good reason?" All the obstacles created for Falun Gong through intimidation and slandering have no right and they won't have any effect anymore. Since that time, I can't seem do the exercises enough outside! Practicing the exercises in public already shows an unusual feature of Falun Gong to the observer; because of this we have the unique opportunity to have many conversations with the people.
In April there was another demonstration at the UN, which was held on the occasion of the voting on the resolution. Of course I wanted to participate, but I had to study for my final examination. I didn't know how to resolve the conflict between the two. Dafa gave me back my ability to study three years ago -- now when confronted with my responsibility for Dafa I couldn't simply run away. I had received so much through Dafa. What would it feel like? -- Of course I made the decision quickly. Dafa goes first! The exam was less important. -- On the other hand, I thought, we have to do our jobs and because Dafa has given me back the ability to study, it wouldn't make much sense if I neglect the study. But finally, I had given up thinking that the examination was more important than Falun Gong, and I believed a solution would surely come. Shortly afterwards I phoned another student from my examination group; he told me that the day of the examination was postponed until the latest date possible in June! We had enough time to study, so we'd better have holiday for two weeks. I knew Dafa gave me the time for spreading the Fa!
While in Geneva, I also recognized how precious it was to have so many practitioners from other continents gathered there; they had not been hindered by distance. How easily the national boundaries were overcome and how important this was for Fa-rectification. I thought of the passage in ZHUAN FALUN about the energy channels: The energy channels will be opened and become brighter and stronger. In the end, thousands of energy channels will join together. I thought this equates to my imagination of the practitioners all over the world that are inter-connected. Just the same should happen to the practitioners from all over the world that connected to each other and exchange their experiences. Doesn't master say that we are "one body"? The contacts and experience sharing remind me of these energy channels. If the connections between the cities and countries were strengthened it would be as if the energy channels are becoming brighter and stronger. Finally only one energy channel would exist and the Fa would appear everywhere.
In Geneva we were able to meet practitioners from Belgium. Because of the small number of practitioners there, we spontaneously offered them our help if they want to run a public information day. A short while ago we got the news that a public information day in Brussels would be held. We participated by going there the first day with three practitioners and the next day with another three from Germany. The trip was an easy one, and the route was shorter than to some cities in Germany. Seven French practitioners came along also. A lot of informational literature was handed out. I had seldom experienced having people who simply passed by us be so openhearted . They seemed to enjoy accepting and reading the literature. On that day my thought was that a practitioner had to do what one should do. There was no space for my attachments, and nothing existed that would be advantageous for me.
One could ask now why we went such a long way from Germany to take part in an information day. But this question is quickly answered. After ten minutes of sharing information with people, a group of Germans passed by who were on holiday. They were very interested in Falun Gong, so I talked with them 20 minutes about the situation in China. They now understand how the information about Falun Gong has been misrepresented
In the evening, we had an experience sharing which we didn't want to end. We unified experiences from France, Germany and Belgium. A few minutes later we had no more barriers created by language. On the next day we handed our materials out near the European Parliament, and while there, we continued sharing. We had become so familiar, it was as if our borders were completely forgotten, and as if we had known each other for a long time. I believe during these two days, the "borders" were completely overcome. The "energy channels" between the countries, which participated, have been pushed through some more. My deep impression was that we had come together to raise our knowledge in a very good way.
Another important occurrence in Geneva was when I was asked to hold a photo with a wreath on the evening of March 17th, day before the vote for the resolution. My heart was not clear, so I gave a sign refusing to do so. I was thinking this event would be organized again later on. A while later, I coincidentally saw the practitioners sitting on the slope with the wreaths, and I was deeply moved. I then asked if I could go there to participate, but it wasn't possible because the number of persons was restricted. I returned to the youth hostel feeling badly about missing the chance to participate in this event. I felt worse and worse and felt as if my life had become meaningless. When I arrived at the hostel only four practitioners were there, so I accompanied them. Someone suggested going back to the place again where the others sat. When we arrived there, the practitioner who arranged the sitting asked us to keep going and try to find some place. Sure enough someone gave us the candles and asked us to sit with the others. Upon sitting there, my heart was moved by compassion. Although I had refused to participate before, I was given a second chance. I understood that in Falun Gong compassion isn't only a word but compassion is lived.
Following my feeling of happiness in the beginning I thought: It is nice to sit here but I would love to have a photo of a victim to hold as I am a witness. Then I thought, "don't be that stubborn, it doesn't matter what role you play." So I let this thought go. As we stood up at the end, it happened that I would assist a practitioner by carrying back a photo for her. Suddenly I had the chance to hold a photo for five minutes; for the second time I experienced compassion. On the way to hand out the pictures I looked at the photo in my hand and I saw a woman the same age as myself. I knew it was no coincidence. For the third time I felt compassion. Dafa is boundlessly benevolent! After that I knew whenever I am asked to do something for Dafa I would accept immediately. A life without Dafa, without this pure land had become worthless for me and I didn't want to feel this nothingness again. If I'm asked to do something it would have it's meaning, and is pre-arranged. I have been asked twice to write an experience report, but I have hesitated until now. This time I gladly wanted to do it because this is a very good opportunity to exchange experiences.
Thank you!