(Minghui.org) I've managed to overcome many tribulations and tests over the past 20 years of my cultivation in Falun Dafa. I've learned that I have to do the three things well. Studying the Fa well and solidly cultivating myself is the only way to have strong righteous thoughts, so I can have the positive energy needed to clarify the facts and save people.
Since the persecution of Falun Dafa started in 1999, the police took my elderly wife and me to the police station and tried to force us to renounce our belief most days. I stayed firm and told them about Dafa, but I was finally worn down by the officers' endless torment and harassment.
A city district officer took us to the police station at one point, and tried to force me to tell him information about a fellow practitioner's involvement in collecting petition signatures condemning the persecution to send to the United Nations. I refused to answer his questions, so he brutally beat me.
While enduring the physical and psychological abuse, I suddenly realized that I had loopholes in my cultivation. As soon as I had this thought, the endless onslaught of blows stopped and the policeman left. From this experience, I deeply understood that I have to look inward and cultivate myself solidly.
Since then, I frequently recite the Fa, think about the meaning of Master's teachings, and pay attention to acting in accordance with the principles of the Fa. I examined my thoughts and conduct for any attachments to fame, wealth, and emotions.
I improved my xinxing and could feel my understanding and cultivation level rising. I could deeply feel how profound and wonderful the Fa is. As I gained more understandings of the Fa, my righteous thoughts kept getting stronger. Cultivation is a process of looking inward and eliminating our attachments. Our hearts are purified as a result. The more tranquil our minds, the more our divine sides grow and our human mindsets diminish.
Several district government officials, police officers, and officials from the 610 Office and residential districts came to every brainwashing session at my work place. Each time, I was able to tell them all about the Chinese Communist Party's lies about Falun Dafa. Every meeting ended with the officials becoming sympathetic towards Dafa practitioners.
Remaining Steadfast in a Labor Camp
When I was taken to a labor camp, the guards first tried to get me to renounce my belief by repeatedly lying to me. Because I refused to waver, they started to violently abuse me. I was deprived of sleep for 6 days, and 4 groups of people took turns to beat me. I remained upbeat and steadfast, and kept talking to them about Dafa and the persecution. Their attitude gradually changed after they realized how amazing Dafa practitioners are to remain steadfast in our faith under such torture. They eventually allowed me to study the Fa.
The labor camp authorities had me taken to a provincial-level labor camp, thinking the treatment there would be more severe. Six of their best “conversion experts” were assigned to me. I told them about Dafa and the persecution, and that good deeds will be rewarded and crimes will be punished. I managed to persuade one of them to quit the Communist Party.
The other five soon developed serious illnesses. They panicked and were no longer willing to continue abusing practitioners. The head of the labor camp then hired 3 previously-released thugs to “transform” me. After I began talking to them, one found an excuse to leave, while another had a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital.
While I was incarcerated, I realized I was being tested in my faith at every moment. I must continue to recite the Fa, search my heart for any attachments, and eliminate any inappropriate thoughts as soon as they emerge.
I was able to endure the nonstop persecution in the labor camp by strengthening my righteous thoughts. It also gave me wisdom. It was the only way to expose their lies and deter the vicious inmates from committing crimes. When I sent forth righteous thoughts while staring into the eyes of the persecutors, they decided to stop abusing practitioners.
The twisted logic of the “conversion experts” was easily exposed. They were frustrated and angry, but had nothing to say in rebuttal. I told the inmates about Dafa in a variety of ways, depending on their knowledge of Dafa and the CCP. They eventually understood that Dafa practitioners had been wronged and that we are good people.
Despite being under strict surveillance in the labor camp, I was able to write about twenty articles exposing the persecution and send them to government officials. I risked being tortured, but kept talking about Dafa and exposing the persecution to the guards and inmates.
My state of tranquility in meditation deepened as I kept cultivating myself. It was a wonderful feeling. I became more and more tolerant, and eventually eliminated the resentment I had toward my torturers. The most obvious change was that I knew what to do as soon as a tribulation presented itself.
This reminded me of what Master said,
“No matter what you do for Dafa and no matter what it is you’re doing, you are placing yourselves in Dafa instead of thinking about “I want to do something for Dafa” or “I want to improve myself in this way or that way” as you did before. No matter what you do, you aren’t thinking that you’re doing something for Dafa, about how you should do things for Dafa, or “how can I do things well for this Fa.” Instead, you are placing yourselves in Dafa. Like a particle of Dafa, [you feel that] no matter what it is, you should just do it.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Great Lakes Fa Conference in North America” in Guiding the Voyage)
As I kept eliminating my attachments and raising my xinxing level, I truly experienced how continuous Fa study and solid cultivation can open up our divine side, push aside our human mindset, and purify a cultivator to his original state.
I slowly gained an understanding of Master's words,
“After all, a cultivator is not an ordinary human. So why doesn’t the side of you that is your original nature rectify the Fa?”
“Your enlightened, original nature will automatically know what to do.” (“Expounding on the Fa” in Essentials for Further Advancement)
The above is my personal understanding. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.
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