(Minghui.org) One beautiful morning in September 1996, I got up early and went out for a run. I got to the stadium and ran a few laps around the track. There, I noticed a group of people meditating in the corner. I wondered why they were meditating. I thought only monks meditated.
A Fortunate Encounter
When they finished meditating, I asked one of them what they were doing. He said they were practicing Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa). I wondered if they had a book about the practice. He took out a book called Zhuan Falun. Just reading the first sentence, I felt my body shaking like I had gotten an electric shock. I thought that this was not an ordinary book. I went straight to the bookstore to get the book after he told me where to find it.
I finished reading the book that day, and I began learning the Falun Gong exercise movements through another book, Falun Gong. Even though my movements might not have been accurate, my stomach pain, common cold symptoms, as well as sinus problems, disappeared shortly after. I told my wife about it, and one month later, she also began practicing Falun Gong.
We felt that we were the luckiest people on Earth! Not only did our physical health improve, but we also learned how to be good people, becoming considerate of others, and handling things in a kind and optimistic way, without resentment and hatred. We live a harmonious and peaceful life. Every day is so precious.
Even though both my wife and I were arrested, sentenced and tortured after the Chinese Communist Party ordered the persecution in 1999, we never gave up practicing Dafa, but encouraged each other to remain firm in our faith, because we know that Dafa is the best.
Past Grievances
Before cultivation, we, just like others, were selfish and only considered our own well-being.
In the early 1990s, a new residential building was built next to ours. That building was higher, so the foundation was deep, which caused our foundation to sink. Cracks appeared on the side of our building as well. The situation became even more dangerous when materials often fell from the building during construction.
Several families in our building joined us in filing a lawsuit against the builder. We were all worried and had safety concerns. But they bribed our lawyer and the judge, and we lost the case.
Since I took the lead in filing the lawsuit, the residents of the new building hated me, particularly one who lives on the fifth floor named Wang. We were just like enemies. It felt awkward every day, and I could not bear to see him.
Enemies Become Friends
I have changed since I started practicing Falun Gong. I keep reminding myself that since I am a practitioner, I have to follow the requirements of a practitioner. I must not fight for profit, and must always be tolerant and considerate of others.
Putting myself in the shoes of the residents of the new building, I saw that they were in a challenging situation. If no apartments were built for them, they had to rent elsewhere with their already meager salary; imagine how they would feel. Thinking of this, I felt no hatred in my heart. At the same time, I was amazed that the principles of Dafa are so broad and profound!
Meanwhile, I noticed that my neighbor in the next building seemed to be struggling with a severe cough. He would wake up at 3 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep. From our window I could see him sitting near his window waiting for the morning to come. He was worn out and looked depressed.
The reason I knew about his situation was that I also got up around 3 a.m. for morning exercises. He saw me go out every day around 3:30 a.m. and return around 6 a.m. Out of curiosity, he asked me one day why I left home so early every morning. I told him that I was practicing Falun Gong. He asked me what it was. I told him there was a book about it and I went to his home and gave him a copy.
Much to my surprise, he finished reading the book Zhuan Falun in less than two days. He also asked his wife to make him a sitting mat for meditation. He began to go to the morning exercise site with me. He said to me, “When I read the book, I slept very well the very first day. I did not wake up at 3 a.m., and I no longer cough. This truly is amazing!”
His wife witnessed his change and began reading the book as well. She loved it so much and realized that it was not just for health and fitness; it was a book for cultivation, a book of salvation.
She made another sitting mat for herself, went with us in the morning for the exercises, and came to my home every night to study Zhuan Falun. Since then, her severe heart disease and all her other illnesses have disappeared. When she went upstairs in the past, she had to rest on each floor panting for air; now, not only can she go upstairs without any shortness of breath, but she can also carry things with her. It was so amazing to her.
We had grievances in the past, but through Dafa cultivation, we all changed. We share our experiences in cultivation, remind each other what needs to improve, what we learned today, and how we can elevate our xinxing. We have so much to talk about daily. We are now like siblings. Particularly when we were persecuted and incarcerated, they helped take care of our home. When our son got married (before we were released), they helped him make many arrangements and took care of him like their own son. My son was so touched by their support.
It is Dafa that turned us from enemies to close friends, and grievances into grace.
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Category: Improving Oneself
