(Minghui.org) My wife started practicing Falun Dafa in 1996. She told me that it's great, and became healthy and happy after practicing. She recommended that I practice it too, but I had no time and wasn't interested. I often ate out with colleagues for social gatherings or receptions, and seldom spent time at home. I thought I was living the good life.
My wife went out to do the Dafa exercises in the morning and read Dafa books in the evening. I wasn't pleased and didn't like her practicing it. I once locked the front door and refused to let her back in after she went out for group Fa study. She had to climb in through an open window.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated the persecution of Falun Dafa in July 1999. I believed the lies and propaganda put out by the CCP's media about the practice and told her to give it up. She said that the media was deliberately defaming Dafa and that she would keep practicing it whatever happens. I was upset and raised my hands in a threat to slap her. I threatened to divorce her if she continued practicing.
My wife was detained by the police when she went to Beijing to appeal for Dafa. I had to take care of our child and do the household chores while still going to work. My wife took care of this before. She worked hard and also went to work.
I reflected on this and thought that there was nothing wrong with her practicing. She improved her character and had a healthy body because of Falun Dafa.
When I saw that she remained steadfast in her belief after being released from the detention center, I thought, “Falun Dafa must have profound meaning.” I read an open letter from a practitioner that was published on the international media, and I was very moved by it.
It wasn't long before my wife was detained again, but this time it was for not signing a guarantee statement to stop practicing Falun Dafa. Her work unit exerted pressure on me too and extorted money from us. This made me realize the true nature of the CCP. It tries to force people to give up their belief without any legal process. I decided that I wanted to learn more about Dafa.
I read informational materials about Dafa, including the self-immolation incident on Tiananmen Square in 2001 and the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. I came to fully understanding why my wife was so steadfast in her belief.
I started reading Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa in 2008. Within one month, I stopped smoking and drinking, a habit that had lasted for over 20 years. I became very healthy.
I am now over 50 years old and can work as energetically as when I was in my 30s. Practicing Falun Dafa has helped me to change my outlook on life and I now know the real meaning of life.