(Minghui.org) Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!

A female practitioner who is older than me was injured when the vehicle overturned while she was hanging banners. On another occasion, she fainted in her rented home. Both times, her life was in critical danger. On both occasions, after I worked hard to adjust my own mindset and let go of my selfish thoughts, with Master’s help we were able to overcome these dire situations. I would like to share some of the insights I gained through this experience with fellow practitioners.

Unconscious After Falling Off the Vehicle

I was startled by a knock at the door one night. Recognizing it was a fellow practitioner, I hurried to open it. Three practitioners were standing outside. The expressions on their faces gave me quite a shock, and I immediately ushered them in.

I asked one of them, Aunt Li, “What happened?” She explained, “The three of us went out to hang some banners, but somehow the vehicle overturned. She and I were both thrown out. I was alright—I managed to get back up on my own—but when I looked over, she was lying there, unconscious. I was terrified! What were we to do? If her sisters found out, what would happen? I hurriedly called out to Master, begging him to save her and help us. The other practitioner—the one who was driving—I helped her up, but seeing her condition, we didn’t dare take her home. What if something serious happened? We had a discussion and decided to bring her to your place.”

Ann, the practitioner who was injured, is someone I am quite close to—a dear, trusted friend among practitioners. I could see that she was disoriented. I said. “There’s nothing else we can do; let’s send righteous thoughts for her” Aunt Li said, “I have to go home!” Surprised, I asked, “You’re not staying?! You live alone—why go home? Just stay here!” She said, “I can’t stay here! I’m so shaken up—how can I possibly send righteous thoughts in this state? No, no, I have to go home!” She added that the male practitioner who had been driving also couldn’t stay; he was already late getting home, and his family wouldn’t approve—he absolutely had to return. With that, they both hurried off.

I never imagined that after dropping off a fellow practitioner in such a dire state, they would simply leave her. How could they possibly sleep after something like this? If they stayed, having another person there would have strengthened our righteous thoughts, provided mutual support, and allowed us to consult with one another if any issues arose.

The moment the door closed behind them, a wave of fear and helplessness washed over me. That night, I was the only one at home—what was I to do? I had no other choice. I sincerely asked Master to protect Ann and ensure she would be alright. As I helped her lie down on the small heated brick bed, I quickly adjusted my mindset, trying to see things from Aunt Li’s perspective. She is over seventy years old, and it was no small feat for her to stand in the back of a moving vehicle—which kept starting, stopping, and swaying—just to hang the banners as high and as well as possible. Both she and Ann had fallen from the vehicle. The fact that she wasn’t injured and could get back up on her own was already a very good outcome—what more could I possibly ask of her? She was exhausted from working so late, shaken by Ann’s condition, and worried that her other siblings might react badly. She had reached her emotional breaking point.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, my sense of fear and helplessness began to fade, replaced by a feeling of admiration for Aunt Li. Since she entrusted Ann to my care, I knew I could handle it. After settling Ann in and steadying my own state of mind, I sat before Master’s portrait and began to send righteous thoughts. I sought to disintegrate all evil factors that were persecuting a fellow practitioner, and I asked Master to strengthen her so she would regain consciousness quickly. We absolutely cannot let non-practitioners think negatively of Dafa.

As I continued to send righteous thoughts, my fear gradually subsided. Yet, images of how precarious Ann’s situation was kept surfacing in my mind, and I involuntarily opened my eyes to check on her. My mind was in such turmoil, like a stormy sea. I couldn’t calm down. I asked for Master’s help, striving to negate, reject, and disintegrate all the interference and persecution. My worries slowly dissolved, although I still occasionally opened my eyes to observe Ann’s condition. I don’t know how long I spent sending righteous thoughts, but eventually everything fell into a profound, tranquil silence. As dawn broke, she opened her eyes and asked, “Why am I sleeping at your place?” I said, “Don’t you remember what happened?” She said, “No.” I asked, “Do you remember going out last night with Li to hang up banners?” She thought for a moment and said, “Yes, I did go out with them to hang banners—but how did I end up at your home?” I briefly explained that their vehicle overturned and she fell out. She said, “I don’t remember any of that, including how the vehicle overturned or how I got here. I have absolutely no recollection of any of it.”

I asked, “How do you feel? Does your head or body hurt?” She said calmly, “I don’t feel anything is wrong; I feel fine.” A huge weight lifted from my heart. I said, “It was Master who protected you! Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.” We shared some thoughts, and she later realized that her state of mind while hanging the banners that night hadn’t been entirely pure. She had grown impatient with Li for being too slow, and this resentment likely provided a loophole for the old forces to exploit.

Seeing that she regained full clarity, showed no signs of physical injury, and was even able to walk home on her own, I suddenly felt completely drained, like a deflated balloon. I sat there quietly, feeling utterly limp and unable to compose myself for a long time. Who could possibly fathom everything Master endured last night? What kind of intense battle between good and evil must have taken place in other dimensions to bring Ann back? As I write this, I am in tears. Once again, I express my deepest gratitude to our compassionate Master!

Ann Became Severely Ill

I learned that Ann was planning to move to the city where her child attends school, to accompany and support the child’s studies. I noticed her state of mind was unsettled due to various domestic trifles. Concerned that she might handle the situation based on human sentiment which can potentially disrupt the path arranged by Master, I did not fully support her wish to move. Given that such a long-term departure from home would inevitably lead to significant changes, I suggested that she consider things carefully, adjust her mindset, and leave the arrangements to Master. Because of this, she mistakenly believed that I was opposed to her move. Feeling that I failed to see things from her perspective or understand her hardships, she developed a deep resentment toward me.

She stopped discussing the matter with me and she did not keep me informed. She simply decided to go to the city on her own. I hadn’t realized that her mind was already made up. When I later visited her, she was very cold toward me even though I could also sense the difficulties she was facing. When I told my husband how hard things were for her he suggested, “Why don’t you take her 2000 yuan?” When we went to deliver the money, I tried to talk to her. I could feel a sense of estrangement, a real rift had formed. The trust and understanding we once shared were gone. In the past, even if my suggestions were not entirely appropriate, she always listened and reflected. But that atmosphere of open communication was now gone. She even refused the two thousand yuan. It was the first time we had ever experienced such a conflict. I felt no resentment toward her, only a profound sense of helplessness.

A long time passed. Then, one day, I heard that she suddenly fainted in the rented apartment where she was staying with her child, and she was rushed to the hospital. When I heard this distressing news, another practitioner and I immediately set off to the city hospital to visit her. When we arrived she was lying on a hospital bed receiving an IV drip. Her eyes had lost their former spark, and when she saw us, there was no longer that sense of closeness we once had. When I spoke to her, I sensed that her main consciousness was no longer in control; she said she couldn’t recall any of the Fa teachings, so it was impossible for me to share understandings on the Fa, and she had difficulty sending righteous thoughts.

Ann’s family brought in a so-called “master”—a gaunt, dark-skinned man who practiced a sinister, crooked way. He began rubbing circles over her lower abdomen and even placed objects into her navel. Ann simply lay there and let him do as he pleased. While this was happening, I sent righteous thoughts to disintegrate the contamination this man was inflicting upon her body. Another practitioner and I silently asked Master to grant us an opportunity to save her, to help us disintegrate the chaotic, malevolent entities in other dimensions that were controlling her.

Under the circumstances, getting her discharged from the hospital seemed impossible. I consulted with the other practitioner; we couldn’t just leave her there. She could no longer recall the Fa, her main consciousness was muddled, and she lay there receiving IV drips—all while being further contaminated and interfered with by this man’s dark practices. If this continued, the situation could become dire. We decided that we had to get her home so we could study the Fa and send righteous thoughts with her. We decided that, come what may, we had to take her away—even if only for a single night. The other practitioner suggested, “Why don’t you talk to her family?” I agreed. We maintained righteous thoughts and asked Master for help.

I called her family members out of the hospital room to talk. I began by saying that I was not opposed to her receiving medical treatment; Dafa does not forbid the use of medicine or injections, as such choices are entirely voluntary. I reminded them of my long-standing, close relationship with her, and that we have been like sisters for years.

I said I noticed her mental state was poor, so I suggested taking her home for the night to help lift her spirits, hoping it might improve her mood and accelerate her recovery. After all, even a healthy person would likely feel worse after spending a few days in a hospital environment. Her family member said, “I know you two are close, but given her current condition, who would dare let her go home?! She absolutely has to stay in the hospital. If she had arrived at the hospital any later the other day, she wouldn’t have made it. Her blood pressure and blood sugar levels are alarmingly high; she could become disoriented and fall at any moment. Who would dare let her leave the hospital? What if she faints?”

I said, “I’d just like to take her to my place for one night to see if a change of environment might help. I could also have her listen to Master’s teachings, I think that would be good for her. I’ll catch a taxi early tomorrow morning and bring her back. It won’t interfere with her IV treatment tomorrow.”

The family member said, “No, that’s out of the question. How could we possibly do that? If she were to faint again, it would be a disaster.”

I said, “I am fully aware of the stakes involved. Just think, would I treat Ann’s health as a joke? If I were to take her home and something went wrong, wouldn’t your family hold me responsible? It could even end up discrediting Dafa. But seeing her in this state, how could I just stand by and do nothing? If it weren’t for our personal connection, and if I didn’t practice Dafa, I wouldn’t agree to this, not even if you offered me a fortune, provided a written guarantee that I wouldn’t be held liable for any accidents, and asked me to take her home for just one night. I simply wouldn’t do something so foolish.”

The family member listened, then said, “So, you think taking her home for the night would actually help?"

I said, “I believe it would at least set things on a better path, certainly better than staying in the hospital. This is the best and most direct solution for Ann. That is why I gathered the courage to discuss this with you. I’m someone who cares a great deal about saving face. Being rejected would be quite embarrassing for me. I didn’t bring this up lightly; I’ve given it a lot of careful thought. Do you realize what I’ll be facing if I take her home? Do you understand what I’ll need to do, the kind of environment I’ll have to provide, or what the potential outcome might be? These are things you can’t even imagine. So, please trust that I will take full responsibility for this decision.

“Besides, Ann has been studying the Fa and practicing cultivation for many years. You know as well as I do that she has overcome many tribulations through her study of the Fa. If she hadn’t practiced Dafa, would she have been able to make it this far after enduring so many hardships? That’s why I’d like to take her home so she can listen to Master’s recorded lectures. Since she’s in the hospital, the staff don’t come around in the evening; as long as her morning IV infusions aren’t interrupted, it’ll be fine. Please rest assured—if there’s no improvement, I’ll bring her right back. You should go home and get some rest tonight, too; you’ve really been worn out from staying at the hospital all these days.”

After I explained all this, the family finally agreed to let me take her home.

Once I had their consent, I hurried to the hospital room, and I said to her, “I’ll take you to my place.” She remained indifferent. I said, “Pack your things; let’s go home.”

She asked, “Why would I go with you? I’m not going with you. If I leave, I’ll go back to the place I’m renting—I’m not going with you.” Hearing this, I realized these words didn’t come from her true self; rather, it was the evil elements trying to isolate her from the body of practitioners. I also sensed that there was still some unresolved tension between her and me.

Although I felt a slight sense of disappointment, I remained firmly focused on my purpose of using righteous thoughts to disintegrate the persecution of a fellow practitioner. I knew that Master was right there beside me, strengthening me, and I knew I had to keep any human attachments out of this. The practitioner who accompanied me also helped to persuade her, and she eventually agreed to come with us to my home.

Another one of her family members drove us along with the practitioner to my home. As we got out of the car, I said to her family member, half-jokingly, “If a miracle happens tomorrow and she recovers completely, she won’t be able to go back even if she wants to. You can just come to my place to visit her.”

After she arrived at my home, I turned on the large television. Instead of immediately showing her the videos of Master’s lectures, I played music videos that featured images of Master, songs such as “Ode to Master’s Grace,” “Master’s Hands,” “Thank You, Master,” and “Falun Dafa Is Good.” As the compassionate and serene image of Master appeared repeatedly on the screen, the room filled with energy, and awakened her true self.

I invited a few other practitioners to come and talk to her. Her righteous thoughts emerged. The confusion in her eyes vanished, and she became alert and spirited when she saw them. We spent the day studying the Fa and sharing understandings together. By the time we went to bed that evening, she had completely returned to her normal self; the state she had been in at the hospital was gone. She told me, “I’m not going back to the hospital.”

I asked, “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

She said, “Yes. I’ll call them, tell them I’ve recovered, and let them know I won’t be returning.”

I was overjoyed. I told her, “Please feel right at home here. Just settle in comfortably. We can study the Fa and send righteous thoughts together.” She was happy to stay.

I arranged for fellow practitioners to take turns keeping her company as she studied the Fa; there were practitioners at my home every morning and afternoon. Her health continued to improve, and she was even able to help me tidy up the place.

A couple of days later, a practitioner told me, “Your door is practically never closed, her relatives keep coming and going! Look, she came here specifically for the purpose of cultivation and overcoming a tribulation; she really shouldn’t be letting her family visit her so often. If they want to see her, they can do so once she’s back at her own home. We’re trying to study the Fa and share together, but whenever her relatives show up, it becomes impossible to continue. Besides, with so many people coming and going every single day, what must the neighbors think?!”

I later learned that relatives had indeed been visiting her at my home. I realized that the issue raised by the practitioner was significant—it’s something that required attention, as we must cherish this hard-won environment for cultivation. The setting in which we study the Fa together is sacred and should not be disrupted by visits from ordinary people, although an occasional visit is fine. We could explain this to her relatives, and they would likely understand. However, I chose not to bring this up directly with her, as I didn’t want to disturb her peace of mind or make her feel uncomfortable staying here. Furthermore, when she first left the hospital, I was the one who invited her family to come and see her—and having them visit also helps put their minds at ease. Seeing that Ann was doing even better here than she had been in the hospital served as further confirmation of the extraordinary nature of Dafa.

To safeguard the environment for cultivation, I sent righteous thoughts more often to cleanse the field in my home. I am usually very cautious regarding safety and have a strong sense of self-protection. When I spot a potential issue I’m filled with apprehension and tend to imagine the worst-case scenario. Yet, in the case of Ann, I was remarkably selfless and fearless. While I would typically take precautions whenever I sensed something amiss, this time, even when I noticed potential complications, I felt they would not become real obstacles. I knew clearly that this was not a lack of rationality, nor a disregard for safety or consequences. Rather, it stemmed from a profound conviction that any so-called complications would simply vanish, be dissolved by Dafa, by a selfless concern for others, and by compassion. Perhaps this was the source of the confidence that gave me the courage to bring Ann home.

About a week had passed in the blink of an eye since Ann had come to stay at my home. She fully recovered, and we’ve grown into close, like-minded companions on the path of cultivation. The day she was set to return home, we both felt a poignant ache in our hearts. When I came home for lunch, I found that she had scrubbed the floors and the kitchen until they were spotless. She told me she had recovered and would head home that afternoon, after we studied the Fa. “Why don’t you stay for another couple of days?” I suggested.

“No matter how long I stay, I’ll have to leave eventually,” she answered. As I was leaving for work, she walked me to the door and said, with clear reluctance, “By the time you get back this evening, I’ll no longer be here.” Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, I turned away in silence and closed the door, my own eyes filled with tears. These tears held the bittersweet sentiment of parting after days spent living side-by-side and elevating ourselves within the Fa. They reflected our shared triumph in overcoming a severe tribulation of sickness karma as well as the lingering, uncultivated human sentiments we still held for one another as fellow practitioners. May we, who have stood by each other through such trials, both reach the ultimate goal of Consummation in the Fa.

Epilogue

Reflecting on the two incidents involving Ann, I realize that although I possessed a glimmer of righteous thought at the time, it was not something I cultivated through solid, steady personal practice. Rather, it was a case where I received Master’s strengthening in those specific instances, which led to a positive outcome. How I long for this state of righteous thought to endure! How I yearn to cultivate a truly broad and magnanimous heart, and to move forward diligently and openly alongside practitioners! I must be careful not to let a narrow-minded attitude ruin things—forcing a situation to be set right only after the fact—or, worse, causing harm to fellow practitioners without even realizing it. Here, I would also like to offer my apologies to any practitioners I may have hurt in the past.

I am grateful to Master for his compassionate salvation! Thank you Master!

(Selected submission for the 23rd China Fa Conference on Minghui.org)