(Minghui.org) I am in my sixties and recently realized how selfish I had become after my wife, a Falun Dafa practitioner, showed me the goodness of following the principles of the practice.
I fought for every bit of profit I could get at work. I used dishonest means at times. If I couldn’t win, I was dejected, and felt that I had lost something. For me, this type of thinking was normal, and I believed that everyone thought this way. I also believed that everyone took things home from their workplaces.
We once installed equipment for a foreign company. The employees there took their lunch break at noon. They put their tools in the workshop, and no one guarded them. The tools were made in Germany and looked very expensive. My colleagues took some of their tools. I didn’t dare to take any because I was afraid of being caught. However, I later became jealous because I had not taken anything.
After my wife, child, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law started to practice Falun Dafa, they changed a lot. Their illnesses disappeared, and they became compassionate and thoughtful. They took their own losses lightly.
I had often heard that practitioners returned money that they found. I could not understand them and thought they were very stupid.
I later read informational materials given to me by Falun Dafa practitioners. Gradually, my mind started to change. I was touched by the practitioners' stories and could see my selfishness.
My wife often talked to me about this principle:
“In this universe, there is a principle which says: ‘no loss, no gain.’ To gain, one must lose” (Zhuan Falun)
I finally understood. So I decided to learn from Dafa practitioners and changed my selfishness.
This was easier said than done, as it was not easy for me to break my bad habits. Sometimes I still brought home goods from work. My wife noticed it and talked to me again about “to gain, one must lose.” At first, I did not take her warning seriously.
However, my wife said, “Even though it is a small item, your selfishness is very strong. If you want to let go of it, you should start with this small item.”
I knew what she said was reasonable and returned the goods to work.
Once I helped a factory to relocate. I was the driver and needed to help move some of their products. During the lunch break, I saw some scrap metal. My wife had recently lost her job, and we were short of money. So, why not put the scrap metal in my vehicle so I could sell it later?
I noticed my selfishness and realized that I would accrue karma if I did so. A while later, I still had the thought to take some of the metal home. So I did and put the items in the drivers’ room, but was constantly thinking about whether or not to return it.
It was not easy for me to make the right choice when it came to money. When I thought about Dafa practitioners who sacrificed anything for others' well being, I felt ashamed of my thoughts and behavior. I decided not to harm Falun Dafa's reputation, since I was a practitioner's family member.
When I had this thought, I felt as if a flow of pure water had entered my heart, cleansing it. I decided to completely let go of my selfishness. I wanted to be noble, like a Dafa practitioner, and I decided that I would no longer take anything that did not belong to me.
I was very happy about my new mindset. I had gotten rid of a lot of baggage. I felt as if everything in the world had become beautiful. I felt so happy when I let go of that bad human notion. I later read Zhuan Falun and I realized that Master Li saw that I still had some compassion and helped me remove my selfishness. I felt the happiness that comes with improvement.
I let go of my selfishness and attachment to profit. Although I do not have much of a pension, I would rather save money so that my wife is able to buy telephone cards to call people to talk to them about Falun Dafa. Master Li has endured so much in order to save us.
Master Li said:
“...with one person practicing, the whole family benefits ...” (“Teaching the Fa at the Fa Conference in Australia”).
We are all blessed because my wife practices Falun Dafa.
I have been pressured many times during the 19 years of persecution. because my wife practices My suffering was not in vain. When I was in a bad accident, I wasn’t hurt much and recovered quickly.
When my wife was arrested, practitioners and I tried to get her released. My blood pressure shot up to a dangerous level, and the doctor asked me to go to a hospital for treatment. However, I didn’t feel uncomfortable and still went along with the practitioners to rescue those who had been arrested. I had a 40-year-history of high blood pressure and previously had a heart operation. Master Li always took care of me, and I came through the operation safely.
I am blessed for my suffering. I started to read Dafa books. There is quite a distance between me and the requirements of a Dafa practitioner. I will do my best because I do not want to miss this precious opportunity.
At this time, to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction, I would like to share my feeling: We are so fortunate to experience this Dafa. If you have a chance to know Falun Dafa, take the time to learn about it. For sure, you will be happy and safe.
Thank you, Master Li.
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