(Clearwisdom.net) I'm a 23-year-old practitioner from northern California. Before obtaining the Fa in March of 2003 I was completely lost. Since the age of thirteen I used drugs and alcohol. I was kicked out of every home I stayed in and moved many times, living all over the country. I was put in rehabilitation programs and went to many psychologists. The years before I obtained the Fa were the hardest years of my life. My uncle and brother had committed suicide, my grandma died of cancer, and my mom died from drinking. My drug problem got worse with my depression and it was as if I hit rock bottom and was trying to dig down further.

I've always had a spiritual side though, and instead of going to high school I would buy any kind of book on those types of subjects. I spent hundreds of dollars and never found anything I wanted to practice. After studying those books I realized that qigong was a powerful way to work with energy. I bought a book or two on qigong but could only hold them in my hand. I couldn't get myself to read them. I thought there must be something better so I went to the store and searched. I came across Zhuan Falun. I picked it up and began to read. After looking at the table of contents I knew the book was special so I wanted to read it. I didn't have enough money on me so with my poor character, I stole it. After reading by myself for a couple of months I began to realize what this book was. I tried to contact other practitioners but there was no one else in my area.

After a while a practitioner who was usually in the area but happened to be busy in another place for a few months came back and called me. He helped me with everything he could and never hesitated, answering all my questions that he could answer according to his understanding. He introduced me to other practitioners and drove me two hours to the consulate many times and without asking for gas money. In this environment and with this Fa I was able to quit drugs and alcohol, among other things. I went back to the store to confess and pay for the book, and I got rid of all my other books, since I had found what I was looking for. My depression went away and I understood why all this had happened. Master showed me the way.

That practitioner has moved, and now I take the responsibility to drive and help people in my area to learn. I take it upon myself to clarify the truth because, in my area, if I don't, no one else is around to do it.

I remember some great things that would happen when I read Zhuan Falun. One time a practitioner and I were sitting in my apartment and reading the book. I had some store bought flowers in a vase. They were pretty much closed and far from mature. When the practitioner and I read the story of how plants have emotions and can think, we looked up and the plants had bloomed. Sometimes when I'm reading and I get tired, the lights in my room will get brighter.

I realize now many things Master has done for me. I was heading towards hell and elimination when he scooped me up and taught me to be good, saving me. There is nothing else in the cosmos capable of doing that, and I am forever grateful.