(Minghui.org) It is my wish to be like a pure lotus, bringing goodness and hope to sentient beings in the world.
“The pure lotus is born from the FaCompassion spreads its fragrant scentSprinkling the world with sweet dewBlossoming lotuses fill Heaven’s courtyard”(“Fragrant Lotus” from Hong Yin Vol. 2)
“I Practice Falun Dafa now. It can change everything!”
Before I started practicing Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong), I was both physically and mentally exhausted. My husband had all sorts of bad habits, such as drinking and gambling. He didn't care about me or our daughter, and often stayed out all night. I cried and complained to my colleagues at work, or anyone who would listen.
To save my marriage, I tried to please my husband's family. But no matter how hard I tried, my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law were not happy with me. They scolded and mistreated me whenever they felt like it, even in front of my daughter. I felt that my life had no meaning.
A friend introduced me to Falun Dafa in 1995. As soon as I saw the first of Master's lectures, I knew that this was what I had been waiting for my entire life. Through cultivation, my mentality changed. I no longer felt sorry for myself because I knew that my suffering was due to karma. I was happy and cheerful every day.
I followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and was sincerely kind to my husband and everyone in his family. During the holidays, I invited them to our home for a family get-together. When my father-in-law got sick, I did my best to take care of him, and helped him financially. Slowly, my husband’s mother and sisters changed their attitudes toward me.
I realized that in the past I had been nice to them only because I wanted them to treat me well. After I started cultivating Dafa, I was nice to them unconditionally. It was an example of “natural attainment without pursuit.” (Lecture in Sydney)
My colleagues were surprised, and said, “You are a changed person.”
I replied, “I practice Falun Dafa now. It can change everything!”
Changes in People Around Me
When the persecution of Falun Dafa started in 1999, my husband and his family were petrified. They did everything they could to force me to give up Falun Dafa.
My husband destroyed my books, and beat me on an almost daily basis. One day in 2002, he came home drunk. He took off my clothes and started beating me until he was tired, but I didn't feel any pain. I realized that Master was bearing the pain for me.
My husband eventually decided to divorce me. But he wasn't happy after our divorce and his health was not good. He often called me to complain. I thought that we had a predestined relationship as husband and wife, and that everyone was here to be saved. So I patiently told him stories of karmic returns and the wonders of Falun Dafa. He slowly began to believe in Dafa.
One time, he fell off a truck, but he was not scared. He just recited “Falun Dafa is good,” and he was not injured at all. He withdrew from the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. His health has also improved.
When I went to Beijing to appeal for the right to practice Falun Dafa, my daughter was still in high school. She was under a lot of pressure. I explained to her why practitioners went to Beijing, and told her not to worry. A few days later, she said to me, “I am so happy now. I don't understand why my classmates have so many worries.”
My older sister resented Dafa because I was sent to a forced labor camp for practicing Falun Dafa. For years, she became angry whenever I mentioned Falun Dafa in front of her. I was disappointed by this.
She was diagnosed with diabetes and had a complication. The doctor suggested that her foot needed to be amputated, and she could not see anything beyond three feet. She complained that I wasn't helping her. I knew that this was a hint for me.
I adjusted my attitude and told her many examples how people benefited from Falun Dafa. I invited her to my home to hear other practitioners share their experiences. She finally understood, and started supporting Dafa and practitioners. Soon after, her foot recovered and didn't need to be amputated. She also underwent successful eye surgery.
My sister-in-law had a high fever and went to the hospital. The doctor thought that she might have lung cancer and needed surgery. But they couldn't get the fever down. I read the Falun Dafa book to her and her fever went away overnight. She was very happy and started to recite “Falun Dafa is good.” She stayed in my home during her treatment. I explained Falun Dafa to her and had her watch videos about Dafa. After two weeks, the doctor couldn't find anything wrong with her and she went home. She has since been doing fine.
A woman I worked with always had me do her share of the work. I didn't complain and remained kind to her. I told her how wonderful Dafa was whenever I had time. When her sister-in-law was diagnosed with kidney cancer, she had her stay with me for ten days to study the Fa and learn the exercises. Her sister-in-law has since recovered completely and gone back to work.
Cultivating Myself While Helping Fellow Practitioners
A new practitioner suddenly had a problem with her legs. She didn't have family close by, so fellow practitioners and I took care of her. We studied the Fa together and shared our understandings. Her daughter came to visit from out of town and insisted that she go to the hospital. Her condition worsened and she was paralyzed after being treated for a month in the hospital.
We sent forth righteous thoughts for her and looked within. I realized that I had resented her for not having enough righteous thoughts by going to the hospital. I didn't have enough compassion and was inconsiderate of her feelings.
As all of us started looking within and eliminating bad thoughts, our field became more righteous. This new practitioner also looked within and decided to go home. We took turns studying the Fa with her and took care of her when she couldn't get out of bed. But she was determined. Gradually she was able to stand, and then walk slowly.
But her condition was not stable. Her family believed that she had mild dementia. She would take a taxi overnight to another city to see her daughter and come back the next day. When someone made a remark that was not to her liking, she would isolate herself for days. After a period of time, some practitioners stopped going to her home and gave up on her. Some practitioners said that I had caused her to depend on others, and that I had a sentimental attachment. I was confused and didn't know what to do.
Master said,
“The next person's things are your things, and your things are his things.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Washington, D.C. Fa Conference” from Teaching the Fa at the Conference II)
I knew that helping fellow practitioners was not wrong, and that Master told us to help new practitioners.
I visited this new practitioner every day and encouraged her. Sometimes she said that she could not do any household chores, so I picked up the mop and started mopping the floor. I gave her a duster, and she started to dust. Sometimes she said that she couldn't walk, so I just helped her with her household chores and then asked her to walk me out. She usually followed me and walked for quite a distance without being aware of it. As time passed, her righteous thoughts got stronger. Many villagers saw the power of Dafa through the changes in her.
Some practitioners praised me for cultivating well, and I started feeling good about myself, too. I got impatient when I talked to fellow practitioners. I blamed others for being clumsy and always depending on me. But the more annoyed I got, the busier I got.
Finally, a fellow practitioner pointed it out to me and invited me to a group Fa-study where everyone shared cultivation experiences. When I saw that others always looked within no matter what happened, I was inspired but also embarrassed. I had so many attachments, including resentment, self-validation, looking down on others, jealousy, etc. I am determined to eliminate them.
Improving Xinxing While Saving People
I started using cell phones to tell people about Falun Dafa a few years ago. At first, I just played recorded messages, but the results were not very good. So I requested help from practitioners who had experience talking to people directly over the phone. I realized that as long as my heart was pure, I could save people even though I am not as articulate.
One time, the person I called disagreed with me as soon as I started telling him about Falun Dafa. He said the Chinese government was good. I said, “Everything is so expensive nowadays, including medical care, schools, and housing. Those corrupt officials moved their money overseas, and sent their children overseas...”
I just kept talking, assuming that he was listening. Then he hung up. I didn't want to miss anyone who was predestined, so I called back. This time, his attitude changed completely. He was very polite. When I told him about withdrawing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), he agreed.
After I had learned how to operate the cell phone, I taught other practitioners, too. I wrote down each step, but sometimes they still got confused. After I repeated myself over and over, I noticed that I got annoyed. I reminded myself to calm my heart. This has been a process of cultivation, as well.
When my cultivation state is good, those who answer my phone calls are more willing to listen. Some say, “Your voice sounds so nice,” and agree to quit the CCP right away. I believe they can feel in their hearts when I truly want to save them.
I have experienced pain, hardship, and joy in my 20 years of cultivation. I know that without Master there would be no me. Master has given me everything. Master chose me to be a Fa-rectification period disciple. Master has given me boundless glory.
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