(Minghui.org) I first encountered Falun Dafa around 2008, but it was not until 2018 that I truly understood what it means to cultivate. I was a private business owner before I began practicing, and my business and marriage were in disarray. Once I committed to doing the five sets of Dafa exercises diligently every day and studying one lecture of Zhuan Falun consistently, I found myself improving each day. I’d like to tell you about some of my experiences.
Securing Contracts
After I stopped drinking alcohol in social settings, at first, people did not understand. I quietly sat and watched others laugh and bond over drinks. Now, however, some acquaintances arrange alcohol-free gatherings specifically for my sake.
What’s truly remarkable is that, over the past few years, I secured more government projects without participating in the usual “public relations” rituals of dining and drinking. Every official we served has spoken highly of our team. As a small private company known for strong technical capabilities and excellent service, we’ve been approved for projects that were once accessible only to large state-owned companies.
I am deeply grateful, and I feel this is the boundless grace of Falun Dafa and encouragement because I walk a cultivator’s righteous path.
Firmly Rejecting Bribery and Staying Clear of Corruption
Few people believe that we never offer bribes, yet we still manage to secure many government projects. Some officials state their expectations outright from the beginning, specifying exactly how much of a “hidden payment” is required. Others demand “gratitude fees” midway through a project. Most, however, offer more subtle hints about the “extra costs” that supposedly need to be paid.
Perhaps due to a certain intellectual aloofness, I was rather oblivious to these underhanded dealings, which made securing contracts extremely difficult. Since people naturally seek personal gain, they tend to reserve opportunities for those who are willing to pay. Now that I cultivate Falun Dafa, I view this differently. Perhaps Master was shielding me, and I feel grateful for my former naivety, which kept me from becoming entangled in corruption.
Master told us that “Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance) is the Sole Criterion to Discern Good and Bad People...” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun) I now understand that only by following Master’s teachings to cultivate myself according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and refusing to be tainted by the declining moral standards of society, can I truly be considered a genuine cultivator. Only when a business is guided by such values can it develop in a healthy and sustainable way. When a company focuses its energy on strengthening its core competencies and refining its technical expertise, rather than wasting effort on corrupt practices, then, no matter how unfavorable the market may seem, I believe opportunities will ultimately be reserved for companies with real capability.
Creating a Virtuous Business Cycle
I always adhered to the principle of neither borrowing nor owing money. During the three most difficult years of the COVID pandemic, when the company had virtually no business, and accounts receivable were scarce, I insisted on never withholding a single penny from my employees. I used my personal savings to ensure their wages were paid on time. Moreover, instead of borrowing from banks to resolve funding issues, I focused on adjusting our business strategies to increase revenue and reduce costs. When there was absolutely no alternative, I let go only of employees who were relatively idle, but I gave them a reasonable severance pay.
This entire process was a true test of my character. I had to pass every test: fame, profit, and sentiment. I encountered situations where a new employee, who had been with the company for less than three months, demanded six months' severance pay. I dealt with personnel from state-owned enterprises and government finance departments who, despite owing us money, acted with hostility. I also had to mediate disputes involving unscrupulous suppliers who refused to pay workers after receiving substantial payments from us.
Fortunately, I had the guidance of Dafa and the determination to cultivate diligently; otherwise, I don’t believe I could have endured until today and witnessed the gradual recovery of the business. So many stories unfolded during this period. I know that I can navigate each trial successfully by studying the Fa diligently.
This is my first attempt at writing an experience-sharing article. I thought countless times about picking up my pen, yet I could never begin until now. I felt my cultivation was inadequate, and with so many trials and challenges to overcome, I hadn’t handled them all well. Nevertheless, I gathered the courage to share my experiences and insights.
Running a business is no easy task. When facing issues that threaten the very survival of the company, we must hold ourselves strictly to the standards of Falun Dafa and diligently fulfill the three things that a cultivator must do: study the Fa, send righteous thoughts, and clarify the facts. Only by measuring ourselves with the Fa can we truly overcome tribulations. As business owners who are also cultivators, we shoulder tremendous responsibility. We must be accountable for our employees, and we must also strive to help Master save people. We cannot give up.
If there is anything inappropriate in my sharing, I respectfully ask fellow practitioners to kindly point them out.
