(Minghui.org) Several elderly Falun Dafa practitioners who live near me have had illnesses in recent years. I was very sorry to hear that some of them passed away.
Master Li said,
“…Compare in studying, compare in cultivating...”(“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)
As a 59-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner, I want to share my experiences in overcoming five severe illnesses by regarding myself as a cultivator and believing in Master Li and the Fa.
Case I
When serving an unjustified prison sentence, I had to drink contaminated tap water as did the other inmates, which caused all of us to suffer from severe diarrhea. My symptoms were especially bad. I had difficulty getting out of bed, wobbled when I walked, and lost a lot of weight. As a Falun Dafa practitioner, I did not think I was sick and initially thought that the diarrhea was just eliminating karma.
I kept reciting the Fa, asked for Master’s help, and didn’t take any injections or medicine. I did the exercises as much as I could.
The prison staff were concerned about being held responsible if I did not recover. They arranged for two people to watch me so that they could send me to the hospital if it became necessary. The diarrhea continued. On the 12th day, I was weak and almost dying. It was then I finally realized that when Master eliminates disciples’ karma through difficulties, the disciples can overcome them no matter what they are. In my case, the illness was not only just eliminating karma, but the evil forces wanting me to die.
I solemnly warned the evil forces: “Do what you wish, but if you want my life, you have to ask my Master first.” The diarrhea stopped that day. I recovered many days earlier than those who took medication.
Case II
While I was in prison, my head suddenly felt numb one day and I could not walk straight. Many people told me that I was sick, but I did not consider the symptoms to be caused by an illness. I recited “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I also recited any passages of the Fa that came to mind. Moreover, I sent righteous thoughts and did the exercises.
At lease 10 days later, while I was having lunch, something started coming out of my right nostril. I quickly found a trash can and let the nostril drain. I knew that Master was watching over me and whatever came out must be bad, so I was not afraid. My head cleared immediately and I could walk normally after discharging the sticky stuff from my nose. The next day, I cleaned out the trash can and saw the black stuff sticking to the bucket like glue.
Case III
One winter, when I was doing plumbing work for a customer. I suddenly had a sharp pain in my head. I felt dizzy and weak, so I quickly sat on the wet ground. I struggled to tell others that I needed to go to the restroom. After taking a short break on the curb, I felt perked up because of the cold wind blowing on me. I wanted to recite the Fa, but my mind went blank and I couldn’t remember a single word. It took me a dozen tries before I could say all of the phrase “Falun Dafa is good.” Finally, I could also recite “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” My head became clear after continuing to say the two phrases many times. I felt a lot better and returned to work about half an hour later.
Case IV
One night, I suddenly felt severe pain on the left side of my chest, shoulder, and back. I began sweating heavily and it became difficult to breathe. I felt so weak that I couldn’t even hold a piece of paper. While praying for Master’s help, I managed to call a fellow practitioner. She kindly came over and then took me to her mother’s home after seeing how cold it was in my unheated place. I am very grateful for the help these two women gave me. I suffered with the symptoms for 10 days. Although it felt like I was dying, my heart was not moved because I knew that Master Li is watching over me.
Master said,
“Live with no pursuit,Die not caring about staying;...”(“Nonexistence,” Hong Yin)
No matter how uncomfortable I was, I persisted in studying the Fa, a little bit at a time, even though I could only recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I also did the exercise as much as I could.
Master said,
“… Disciples’ righteous thoughts are strongMaster has the power to turn the tide”
(“Master-Disciple Grace,” Hong Yin II)
Eventually, the pain and weakness went away and I recovered.
Case V
Over some time, I noticed that several people around me had diabetes, including a young worker who lost a lot of weight because of it. Then, I also started showing diabetic symptoms. It was really embarrassing when urinary incontinence made me wet my pants. However, I recovered quickly by following my normal routine of studying the Fa, practicing the exercises, clarifying the facts about Falun Dafa to people, and going to work.
Conclusion
Why did I encounter illness tribulations so many times? I looked inwards to find the reasons based on the Fa. I believe the debts I incurred historically had to be repaid, there was persecution and obstruction by the old forces, and I should have studied the Fa and practiced the exercises more solidly. I found that every time I had major illness karma, it was because I hadn’t focused when studying the Fa nor done the exercises properly. Studying the Fa well is the key to improving in cultivation. Beyond-Triple-World-Fa cultivation tests one’s thinking but does not include illnesses.
I know that I should talk with people about Falun Dafa to save them, send righteous thoughts, study the Fa, and do the exercises properly.
How did I resolve the illness obstacles? Essentially, Master mercifully guided me as a disciple and blessed and protected me at all times. From my perspective, I regard myself as a Falun Dafa practitioner. I believe in Master Li and the Fa when I encounter problems. Master cleaned up my body long ago. The illness symptoms were not diseases, but karma I should bear to pay back my debts. The Falun given by Master, and the gong that helped me evolve in cultivation, will kill any disease as soon as it occurs, but will leave the karma alone.
Master said,
“As a practitioner, if you always think that it is an illness, you are actually asking for it.” (Lecture Six, Zhuan Falun)
As a practitioner, how can we believe our feelings, ordinary people’s common sense, or a doctor's diagnosis, instead of listening to what Master taught us? If we don’t believe in Master Li, why practice cultivation at all?
Physical numbness, itching, pain, dizziness, and any other discomfort are all good things, and are related to karma elimination, or are hints from Master telling me to be more diligent. The experiences could be gong moving in the body, living beings, or other good things that Master helped me evolve in cultivation. I should be grateful for all that I have been given. However, it may be that the evil manipulates the creditors to collect debts from me. Although historical debts have to be repaid, we should not allow evil persecution.
Suffering from illnesses was really uncomfortable, especially when I felt that I was dying. It is not easy for a human being to become a Buddha. Enduring hardships can accumulate virtue and eliminate karma. When people really can’t bear the pain anymore, it’s fine to go to the hospital. But I understand: the fear of death and suffering will have to go, and the test of life and death should be passed sooner or later. So it is better for me to let go of the fear sooner rather than later.
Everything is fixed and arranged in life, including the serious matters of life and death. Solid cultivators understand that illness symptoms are not diseases at all. Some fellow practitioners worried that their illness may bring Dafa a bad reputation and went to the hospital out of concern for their family members. In my opinion, these were excuses.
Master said,
“…Accomplishing is cultivating.”(“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)
We should truly believe in Master Li and the Fa and cultivate in an upright manner.
Thank you, Master. Thank you, fellow practitioners.
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Category: Improving Oneself
