(Clearwisdom.net) Before I practiced Falun Dafa I appeared to be healthy—I was tall and had a good complexion. Actually, I was weak and suffering from depression, insomnia, allergic rhinitis, asthma, osteomyelitis, Meniere's disease, and a dozen or so other chronic conditions. I used to think that living like I did was meaningless and death might be a better option.
Missing the Chance to Start Practicing Dafa
In 1997 Falun Dafa appeared in our area. By the end of 1998 my brother-in-law had bought several Dafa books, tapes from the lecture series in Jinan, and Teacher's photo. I read through the books quickly but did not really understand what cultivation was about. Furthermore, I had the tendency to fall asleep while I read. After July 20, 1999, I was confused by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda and stopped reading Dafa books.
How I Began to Practice Dafa
I am a straightforward person and am not interested in telling lies and giving gifts as bribes to please my boss. Hence, the communist officials at my workplace did not like me and transferred me from a teaching job to a laborer's job that supported cooking activities. I did not like the job and decided to run a business of my own in another city. I imported goods from other cities and sold them locally in my own shop. After half a year my business was booming. One day an associate dean came to my shop to buy incense. I asked her, “Are you worshiping the god of wealth or Guanyin?” She replied, “Neither! I am a Falun Gong practitioner. I pay respect to Teacher Li.” I was shocked to hear what she said and asked if she could give me some materials about Falun Dafa to read. Later, three practitioners brought me experience sharing conference articles and materials about Dafa. After that, I began to practice.
Revered Master Has Arranged a Path of Cultivation for Me
After I had made some money, I returned home to take care of my 80-year-old mother. She was getting old and reacting to things slowly. In the process of helping her I removed a lot of human notions and also learned about some of the difficulties we can encounter in cultivation practice. I faced conflicts with my mother-in-law. I knew that the purpose here was to improve my character, my understanding of the Fa, and the level of my compassion. Later on, it was my turn to take care of my husband. I was considerate and paid a lot of attention to the little things. My husband said to me, “I never thought that you could be so kind, considerate, selfless, and truly caring. You are a true cultivator! Thank you!” I replied, “I did not expect that I could be like this either. It is the power of Dafa that did it. You should be thankful to Dafa instead. By following Dafa without question, Dafa can change a person fundamentally.” After my husband passed away, I could see that, for an ordinary person, life is always painful and restricted to movement within the three realms. Cultivation is the only way to move beyond the three realms and return home. With this understanding, I know I must be diligent and serious about doing the three things well.
On the Path of Returning Home
Since my mother and husband passed away and having retired from my job, I have more time to do the three things along with my son, who is also a practitioner. We study the Fa, do the exercises, and send forth righteous thoughts four times or more every day. We look inward all the time. When I am in the kitchen, I recite Hong Yin. When I have quiet time, I read Teacher's new articles or watch Dafa DVDs. While riding a bicycle, I will recite, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” When there is a visitor, I play Dafa music at home. Before going to sleep, I listen to audiobooks of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, “Disintegrating the Party Culture,” and “Divine Culture.” When I go out shopping, I use the outing as an opportunity to advise people to withdraw from the CCP. Most people know that I am a Dafa practitioner. People working in the marketplace know that I am a good person. Fellow practitioners generally advise me to be careful, but I think I am doing the most righteous work in the universe. Evil will not dare persecute me for doing the three things. Righteousness is more powerful than all kinds of evil combined, and divine beings are watching. Whoever persecutes the righteous will meet with retribution. Hence, for me, persecution is not a concern.
Over the years my son and I have distributed countless numbers of Shen Yun DVDs and Dafa amulets(1). Whatever fellow practitioners or Dafa needs, I do my best to comply. Because I try to be selfless in my actions, the practitioners around me have been affected in a positive way.
Along the path of returning home I often feel that I am the most fortunate and well-off individual. The poor health that I was in before practicing is gone. Teacher has purified my body many times. People tell me that I have changed into an energetic person. I like to smile when I see someone and people like to smile back and speak to me even though I don't know them. I feel like I am floating on air when I walk. It is Dafa that has changed me completely. I am living in Teacher's infinite grace. It is not possible for me to describe my feelings with words.
My level of understanding is limited. Please point out anything that is improper. Thank you!
Note:
(1) Amulets – In China, practitioners sometimes clarify the truth by giving people something small to wear or cherish, bearing a few words reminding them of the goodness of Dafa.