(Minghui.org) Greetings Master and dear fellow practitioners!
My name is Anders and I am from Sweden. I began practicing Falun Dafa thirty years ago. It was Autumn 1995 and I was 29 years old. In other dimensions only a moment passed, but from a human perspective three decades is a long time and much happened in my life during these years.
A Look Back
In the autumn of 1996 I traveled to China with practitioners from Sweden and other countries. This trip left a strong impression on me and greatly deepened my understanding of what cultivation truly means. A Fa conference was held and I later learned it was the first international Fa conference. We were told that Master was visiting the U.S., but he came the last day and spoke to us.
The practitioners who translated for us fell silent several times. Master spoke about the universe, and other things, and I realized that the translators did not have the ability to translate these complex sentences into English. What a blessing it was to be able to read that lecture in English later!
During the lecture when Master was present, I felt pain in my back. Some time afterward, I realized that the back pain I suffered from since my teenage years was gone. Thank you, Master!
I made three trips to China before the persecution began. I have many wonderful memories and experiences from those trips, and they laid the foundation for my strong faith in Dafa and Master.
Soon after I began telling people about Falun Dafa, and after the persecution began I participated in the effort to expose and end it. We participated in protests around the world, and I also joined projects to introduce Falun Dafa to South Africa and India. These trips gave me important and positive experiences and insights. I also went through a number of difficult tribulations. No matter what happens Dafa has always given me strength and shown me the way forward.
Physical and Financial Tests
One weakness I’ve had for many years is that I did not practice the exercises regularly. But as various physical issues surfaced, I’m now more disciplined. I see these physical tribulations as interference from the old forces, but also as loopholes in myself that I have not been able to close.
After many years of secure employment and stable income, a change came in 2013. The CEO at my workplace developed alcohol problems, and the company moved towards bankruptcy over the following three years. It was a difficult time for us employees.
This situation led me to change careers and retrain in programming for two years. It was tough, but I graduated. The disappointment was great when I realized I could not get a job afterward.
Another blow came when, due to a misunderstanding, my unemployment benefits were incorrectly reduced to about one third of what I should have received. Although as a practitioner I understood that the money was not truly mine, it made life much harder. I later recalled a financial benefit I received as a gift some years earlier. The amount roughly matched what I had lost in benefits. It felt good to repay it!
After struggling for two more years I started my own business in 2021. My new job has nothing to do with what I studied for. Instead, I focused and built on my previous expertise in photography and graphic production.
That period was extremely tough. As a practitioner I understood this trial was part of my cultivation and I would make it. This realization gave me peace, and I now understand that I needed to go through that time to let go of my attachment to control and security. My finances are better now and regarding my physical challenges things are moving in the right direction.
Working at The Epoch Times
Six months after starting my business I was asked to help edit photos for Insight Magazine, a side project of The Epoch Times. I had long-term experience in digital image editing and gladly accepted. I worked remotely. Later that same year, I also began editing images for the English edition of The Epoch Times—both for the website and for print supplements. It felt significant to contribute to this important media.
Working with Insight Magazine was a valuable experience. Once a week, I joined online meetings with staff at the New York office, mostly designers or photographers, who gave me feedback on my edits. Because I had long term experience I initially felt some resistance to these meetings, thinking: “Who can tell me how photos should be edited?” This was a human mindset. But this was an opportunity to let go of ego. I learned not to take criticism personally, not be competitive or concerned about my reputation. Together, we created a polished and serious magazine, and our collaboration was very pleasant.
For nearly two years now, I have also done layout for the “Opinion” supplement. First, three evenings a week, and now five. At first, I hesitated to take on this task. It was stressful and I worked late at night. But I received strong support from the instructor and other colleagues, and after a while I was able to work independently.
I was initially slow. They expected the layout to take 3.5 hours per issue—I could not understand how that was possible. Now I usually manage within that time and feel satisfied every time the job is done.
I noticed American practitioners have a very positive and easygoing attitude. I often had negative thoughts: “Why do they do it like this? It should be done like that instead!” “Why aren’t the texts ready yet? Now I’ll be late.” About myself I think: “I made the same mistake again; they’ll probably think I’m incompetent.” I’ve gradually realized its better to just keep working and maintain a positive mindset.
When I began working with the English edition of The Epoch Times, I was told we were asked to study the Fa every day with other practitioners. I had no opportunity to join a physical group study, but I joined an online group in Sweden where we study every morning. I find that I can focus better in a group and when I read aloud. Even though I’ve read Zhuan Falun hundreds of times, there’s always something I can enlighten to or find useful in my current cultivation.
Working at the Swedish Epoch Times
I also work with The Epoch Times in Sweden. Our weekly print edition began in January 2021, and I contribute with my knowledge of print production and photo editing.
In this type of work and collaboration, mistakes sometimes happen. My first thought was often that someone else made the mistake, not me. Over time, I realized I was too quick to look outward. More than once it turned out I was the one who missed something.
I often wanted things done “my way” and complained. I hope I’ve also improved in that regard, and that I offer constructive criticism or tips without the attachment of showing off. Master gives us opportunities to participate in Fa-rectification while at the same time elevating ourselves in the process.
Master said,
“I often say that I don’t worry much about the final outcome, as what is to be completed in the Fa-rectification is inevitable. No matter how harrowing things may get during the Fa-rectification, the outcome is certain. So I don’t pay much attention to it, given that it’s bound to succeed. What I value most is the process. Only with the entirety of the process that a being goes through do you have the complete entity that is that being.” (“Fa Teaching at the U.S. Capital,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume VIII)
People are realizing that The Epoch Times stands for the most upright journalism, and more will come to see this in the future. I am grateful to contribute to this important Dafa project, both in the U.S. and Sweden.
Sharing one’s experiences is a rewarding part of cultivation. However, I often set up obstacles for myself, such as: “I haven’t achieved anything special.” Or “What will others think?” Or “No one has asked me.” I felt I needed to let go of these obstructing notions.
Looking back at my cultivation, I see that I have been able to let go of many attachments, regardless of environment and circumstances. And I also see there is still much left for me to improve on.
Thank you, fellow practitioners! Thank you, respected Master!
(Selected article presented at the 2025 Nordic Fa Conference)
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