(Minghui.org) Born in China during the 70s, I lived and breathed the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party and learned to take everything the Party said as a given. Now that I know the truth about Falun Gong, I would like to express my immense gratitude towards Falun Gong practitioners for risking their lives to deliver the truth about the practice.
If it had not been for their selfless sacrifice, I would never have really known Falun Gong, the amazing cultivation practice that has had such a profound impact on my life.
I would like to share my story so that the world will know how difficult it was for me to overcome my fear of the Communist Party and the notions the regime had installed in me through its propaganda in order for me to start practicing Falun Gong.
My mother was diagnosed with a mysterious illness that caused her the most insufferable pain. She was sleepless. She was so ill that she needed assistance just to carry out her daily activities. I had to provide for the family, including paying the mortgage. I was worried about her health and about my ability to pay her medical expenses. I was simply worn out.
One day I ran into a physician friend. Naturally I took the opportunity to ask her about my mother's illness. My friend is a Falun Gong practitioner. She gave me a Falun Gong amulet in 2004 for well wishes.
I accepted it to be polite, but I threw it away afterwards because I was afraid what the Chinese regime might do if I was found with an object associated with Falun Gong. I had avoided her ever since.
We met each other again that day because we were both guests of a mutual friend. We sat at the same table. I had no interest in talking with her, but I didn't know anyone else at our table and I was eager to seek her professional opinion about my mother. She recommended that my mother read Zhuan Falun, Falun Gong's main study text, if she wanted to get well.
My family fortuitously found a DVD left on the street during China's SARS outbreak in 2002. It contained a documentary film that analyzed the footage of the purported Falun Gong practitioners setting themselves on fire on Tiananmen Square and reveals that the self-immolation was a hoax staged to instigate people's resentment against Falun Gong and justify the regime's suppression.
The other documentary film on the DVD shows the heroic and selfless things Falun Gong practitioners have done since 1999 to try to clear the name of Falun Gong. I was moved to tears.
Although I knew the suppression was groundless, the Chinese regime's propaganda still had me convinced that Falun Gong was a political organization aimed at overthrowing the regime and creating unnecessary chaos. I had, therefore, mistaken my friend as a nice, yet gullible fool, who was being controlled by an overseas subversive group.
On the other hand, I was getting desperate about my mother's health, because no hospital could treat or even name her mysterious illness that was getting worse. I would try anything if it helped my mother. Besides, she was willing to loan the book to me for free. It couldn't hurt to try.
I decided to read it first before I showed Zhuan Falun to my mother. My friend had told me many real stories of people regaining their health after reading the book. How could anyone recover from a terminal illness by just reading a book? It sounded incredulous to me.
I began to read Zhuan Falun out of curiosity.
“'The Buddha Fa' is most profound; among all the theories in the world, it is the most intricate and extraordinary science.”
The very first sentence in the book piqued my interest.
“Think about it, everyone: What matter is it to teach qigong toward high levels? Isn’t this offering salvation to humankind?”
I was really surprised. Could this book be offering people salvation? I continued to read it eagerly.
My fear of the Chinese Communist Party was hard at work, because an unknown fear of self-preservation almost stopped me from continuing, but another unknown power kept me reading on.
It took me three evenings to finish reading Zhuan Falun for the first time. I felt at peace and tranquil deep inside. I was burning with questions and went to my friend for answers. She gave me a copy of Teacher's audio lectures and assured me that the answers could be found the lectures. It was true. I found my questions answered when I listened. But I developed more questions that needed answers. I paid her many visits and enjoyed many discussions with her.
She also gave me an electronic book that includes many stories of people getting their health back because of Falun Gong. I was blown away by the power of Falun Gong after I read them.
Teacher started cleansing my body while I was studying the Falun Gong teachings.
I had been in poor health since I was little. I had several chronic illnesses: chronic laryngitis, a long-term inflammation of my larynx, was particularly severe. My larynx would get inflamed about once a month. My stomachache would last one to two days at a time. It hurt so much that my limbs would turn cold.
I didn't realize it at first when Teacher started cleansing my body.
I was waiting for the bus to the hospital for my routine appointment. It was rather strange. The bus that usually came every 10 minutes was running way behind schedule. There was no taxi to be found, either. I started asking myself if this was a sign that I no longer needed a doctor. I talked to my friend, and she agreed with me. Two weeks later I was completely healthy. I have been healthy every since.
Meanwhile, I lacked a real understanding of the depravity of the Communist Party. My friend gave me a copy of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party when I shared my concerns with her.
Editor's Note: Many Chinese people who grew up being bombarded by the Chinese Communist Party propaganda and living through its many political movements were taught to support the Party's political policy or they would face the deadly charge of being "anti-revolutionary." Out of self-preservation, many Chinese support the regime's persecution of Falun Gong even when they have learned that the suppression is based on groundless accusations and the means by which they eliminate Falun Gong are comparable to or even far worse than those used by the Nazis during WWII or today's North Korea. The Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party is written precisely for the purpose of revealing the true nature of the Communist Party and helping Chinese people overcome their fear for the Party.
Once I read the book, I saw through the Communist Party and decided to quit the Party and the affiliated student groups I was once a member of.
The Nine Commentaries also describes how Falun Gong practitioners have endured torture and risked their lives to bring the truth about Falun Gong to the Chinese people. I was in awe of their sacrifices and have an enormous respect for them. I was still afraid of the Communist Party, but I felt very honored to stand alongside them and speak out against the suppression of Falun Gong.
I knew Falun Gong is great and I had benefited from it, but there were so many different religions in the world I had not explored. Which religion should I choose? I hesitated for a long time.
I eventually chose to practice Falun Gong because I believe in Teacher. I felt His compassion while I was listening to his audio lectures. It just felt right. I have finally overcome my notions and officially started practicing Falun Gong. I am very happy with my choice.
Soon my mother started practicing Falun Gong as well. She has become perfectly healthy.
I would like to thank Teacher for taking me as a student. What a journey I have taken to finally become a Falun Gong practitioner! The DVD my family found on the street, the Falun Gong amulet given by my physician friend, the books and publications Falun Gong practitioners have written and produced to help me overcome the notions. Teacher has truly made an incredible arrangement to lead me to Falun Gong! Thank you, Teacher!
I would also like to thank fellow practitioners for their selfless contributions! I would not have had the opportunity to practice Falun Gong if it had not been their perseverance in clarifying the truth about Falun Gong in the past decade.
Teacher said,
“Don't underestimate your sending even one flyer or one booklet to China, making one phone call there, or sending one fax there or sending all sorts of information--the effect is quite significant, and its effect in frightening and eliminating the evil is huge, truly huge. It's because of the evil's slanderous propaganda that people have bad thoughts in their minds. When people become clearheaded, that's when those evil things are eliminated and disintegrate. If a person really represents a gigantic cosmic body, his turning-around means that numerous sentient beings are saved--the impact is enormous! Truly, all of these things are being done really well. Don't underestimate these things.” (“Touring North America to Teach the Fa”)
Please kindly point out anything inappropriate in my humble insights.
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