(Minghui.org) A young German man who had been searching hard for a way to rid himself of bad habits—drugs and an addiction to video games—finally found the solution.

What did he encounter? Falun Dafa, an ancient Chinese practice that centers around cultivating Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Thus, Jens Mending began practicing Falun Dafa in 2007.

Chinese people and their culture have been special to him ever since. He is eager to share the benefits of Falun Dafa with more people. Since the persecution began in China in 1999, he has been particularly sympathetic to the Chinese people: They have been deprived of access to the cultivation practice that brings great benefits to mind and body, a practice that originated in the traditional culture of their great nation.

With a sincere and warm heart, he now constantly raises awareness of Falun Dafa and the persecution it is subjected to in China.

Fundamental Changes After Cultivating Falun Dafa

Jens said he used to do drugs and was addicted to video games, as well as the pursuit of wealth. Sooner or later he realized he was on a dead end path, so he began looking for a way that would enable him to abandon his bad habits through meditation and peaceful cultivation.

He looked at all kinds of spiritual paths and even thought of going to temple to become a monk, but all his attempts ended up in vain. He couldn't find a practice that could teach him what he wanted.

Then one day he passed by the Cologne Cathedral and saw Falun Dafa display boards in the square out front. A photo of a practitioner sitting in meditation caught his attention.

He struck up a conversation with one of the practitioners and learned that Falun Dafa cultivates Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said, "Falun Dafa's tenets, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, captivated me. Through embracing them, I was finally able to abandon my bad habits."

He soon enjoyed both improved health and a better mental state. Reading Falun Dafa books, mainly Zhuan Falun, he says he soon felt inner peace and became full of energy. “Even if I only read the Falun Dafa books for 20 minutes, I can feel myself become calmer.”

“I used to be in constant conflict with my neighbor, and this had gone on for a long time. After I took up Falun Dafa, I realized that I'm a cultivator now, and I shouldn't fight with others. I should be tolerant.”

Then one day all of a sudden, his neighbor enthusiastically greeted him, “Wow, you've become a good person. You're really a good guy.”

The neighbor then told Jens' father that he had a good son. Jens was surprised because he hadn't done anything special for his neighbor, he only acted according to the principles of Falun Dafa, yet his neighbor was automatically happy.

Helping to Raise Awareness About the Persecution

Jens has participated in many local activities held in Germany over the years.

Practitioner Jens Mending talks to a man at an activity in Freiburg, Germany

He often comes across Chinese people on the street, and talks to them about Falun Dafa. He's even able to converse with them in simple Chinese.

Jens hopes that he can learn more Chinese so that he can help more Chinese people understand the brutality of the persecution in China, and help them to see the wisdom in renouncing their membership in the Party. He's had some successes and looks forward to more in the future.

Traveling to Raise Awareness

Mending has been to New York and San Francisco to attend Falun Dafa conferences and participate in large public events that raise awareness about Falun Dafa and the persecution.

In October 2014, Jens said he was so excited to be in San Francisco Chinatown's Portsmouth Square to participate in Falun Dafa activities there.

Jens Mending at Portsmouth Square in San Francisco

He and many others were demonstrating the exercises alongside Falun Dafa display boards illustrating the facts about Falun Dafa. They also played a recording of truth clarification messages, hoping to help Chinatown residents learn more about the peaceful practice and the persecution in China.

Jens looked anxious while speaking, tears almost running down his face. He talked about his understanding of the situation, saying, “Their knowing side expects to listen to the facts and be saved. We may not be able to see it. These people sit here playing card games and chatting... It seems that they didn't hear anything, but actually they've had many bad substances eliminated. They may think of what the broadcast said and what they saw after they return home.”