(Clearwisdom.net) It has been 13 years since I was fortunate enough to start cultivating Falun Dafa. There have been ups and downs during these years. However, what has filled my heart is pleasantness and peace. Never before have I felt life so fulfilling. In everyday life, fame, fortune, and sentiment are nothing more than passing clouds. I often can't help telling others that it is my great fortune to cultivate Dafa.
Learning to Search Inside Myself
After beginning to practice cultivation, I felt benevolence from Master. Master teaches us to search inside ourselves regardless of any issue we encounter. I have found that the more I search inside myself, the purer I become; the more considerate I am toward others, the more generous and compassionate I am. We all know about the moral decay in today's China. Dafa washes my soul as a clear stream. I am often immersed in Dafa's peace and compassion. I am filled with delight and gratitude. Like many practitioners, I regret that I did not learn Dafa earlier.
Before I started cultivation, I was mean to others and did not let go if the argument was to my advantage. Whenever there was a dispute, I was good at finding fault with others. Even if I was at fault, I would put up a good fight. I bore a grudge against my eldest brother and sister-in-law. They were in a much better condition financially than the rest of the siblings. Yet, they did not care too much about the well-being of our parents. Even when I did not blame them directly, I remained quite unhappy with them. I was not on good terms with my brother's family.
After practicing Falun Dafa, I felt there could be unknown causes behind my conflicts with my eldest brother's family. I should face the situation with the mindset of a practitioner. I was no longer mad at them. Each time I went back to my hometown to visit them, I brought some gifts. I also helped them with household chores. They noticed the changes in me. When they mentioned me to others, they were proud of me. All the members in my eldest brother's family have now quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or its affiliated organizations. My brother's son is a leader in his work unit. When I told him about the facts of Falun Gong, he said, "That goes without saying, Aunty. I know Falun Dafa is great. From what you have done, I know it all. It is the highest of moral standards!"
In my own work unit, many people have become quite calculating and cunning. They say different things in front of different people. However, my colleagues all admit that I have never badmouthed anyone behind his or her back. I feel only Dafa practitioners can act like this.
Taking Fame and Fortune Lightly
I used to be quite competitive and worried about gains and losses at all times. However, I started to take fame and fortune lightly. Master teaches us, "a practitioner should follow the course of nature. If something is yours, you will not lose it. If something is not yours, you will not have it even if you fight for it." (Zhuan Falun) I have learned to look at things as if I were standing in the other person's shoes and face gains and losses with ease.
On one occasion, we ordered books from a nearby school supply store for our students. The storeowner gave a free pen to each teacher in charge of the classes. Some teachers complained that the storeowner was not generous about handing out more free pens. I figured that as a cultivator I should not take advantage of others. To not embarrass the other teachers, I went to return the pen on a holiday. The owner was quite moved. She told me that there is no one like me in today's society. She would be grateful if the others would not blame her for not giving out more pens. I told her that I practiced Falun Dafa. Our Teacher told us not to take advantage of others and to be considerate at all times. She agreed and said to me that she knew Falun Dafa practitioners were kindhearted people. I told her that the CCP is persecuting this group of innocent people. She was quite sympathetic and gladly agreed to quit the Communist Youth League and the Young Pioneers.
On another occasion, I was short one yuan in paying for clothes. The saleslady told me it was alright to take the clothes. I promised to pay her back. When I went back, she was surprised and told me it was not worth the trouble for me to make a trip. I told her that we Dafa practitioners have to be honest and keep our word. She smiled and said that only Dafa practitioners are like that nowadays.
A while back we were tight financially. My husband had helped someone at work. The other party was quite grateful and he insisted on paying my husband 500 yuan in cash. If it were before the practice of Falun Dafa, I would have been more than happy to take it. However, my husband and I figured that a practitioner should follow the high standard as set forth by Dafa. We decided to return the cash. The man was deeply moved. When he realized we were following the teachings of Falun Dafa, he was full of respect.
Cultivation Keeps Me Young and Healthy
When I was young, I was weak and prone to catching colds and fevers. I also worried about many things and often suffered from insomnia. In addition, I had menstrual disorder. Despite spending a lot of money on medicine, I still looked quite sick.
After practicing Dafa, my health returned without my realizing it. Even when my colleagues that shared the same office caught a cold or fever, I was immune to the contagion. My menstrual disorder went away. I became pleasant and generous. The insomnia went away as well. I have not spent a penny on medicine for years.
I even look healthy and young. An elderly lady in our building asked me one day about raising a child. I told her that my son was already in college. She was quite amazed.
When I had switched jobs to this current workplace, some people thought I was single. When they realized my age, they were shocked. I told them that it was the practice which cultivates both the mind and body that has benefited me.
There are more countless benefits that I have experienced in many aspects encompassing the mind and body, spanning from the microcosm to the macrocosm. I am humbled by the great Dafa and revered Master. I am also grateful for the benefits that Dafa has bestowed on me so that those around me have also felt the immense mercy of Dafa and Master.
October 7, 2010
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Category: Improving Oneself
