(Minghui.org) On the morning of New Year’s Eve in 2025, the streets were bustling with people. I rode my bike to the market, looking to tell people about the unlawful persecution of Falun Dafa.
As I walked up to a vendor selling steamed buns, I spotted a set of keys lying in the mud. I hesitated: “Should I pick them up? How would I know who they belonged to? Where would I find the owner among all these people?” Just as I was about to move on, another thought came to me: “I’m a Dafa practitioner. Our cultivation way teaches us to be selfless and always consider others.” The fact that I encountered this situation was definitely not a coincidence. It was meant for me to improve my character.
I picked up the keys and wiped them clean. Someone had probably dropped them while purchasing steamed buns, so I waited right next to the bun vendor. In my heart, I asked Master Li for help: “Master, please bring the owner here. They won’t be able to get home without their keys. How worried they must be!”
A short while later, a woman hurried over to the vendor’s stall: “I bought some buns from you, and I seem to have lost my keys. Did you happen to see them around here?”
“Are these yours?” I held up the set of keys.
“Yes, those are mine! Where did you find them?” She was overjoyed and kept thanking me.
“No need to thank me. I’m a Falun Dafa practitioner. It is the Master of Falun Dafa who taught me to be a good person and consider others first. If you want to thank someone, thank him.
“It is our destiny to meet today. Let me share something good with you. Whenever you encounter difficulties, if you say ‘Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good’ it can turn misfortune into good fortune.”
“I’ll remember. It’s lucky I met a good person!” she said as she hurried home to cook for her family. I didn’t have a chance to help her quit the CCP, but I believed our encounter laid a good foundation for her to understand the truth about Dafa in the future.
Last summer, a man who sold clothing temporarily rented a shop in my area. I bought a short-sleeved shirt from him. As I was paying, I saw a note on the counter that read: “Exchanges only, no returns.” I casually read it aloud. The owner, overheard me and said, “You’re really smart.” He seemed to be a talkative person, and I thought we might be predestined to meet. Since there was no one else around, it was a great opportunity to talk with him about Dafa.
“Nowadays,” I said, “it’s tough to make a living. People feel suffocated by the pressures of society, especially those in your age group, who are caught between caring for aging parents and raising children. Having to pay rent for your shop and covering wages for your staff is certainly no easy feat.
“In this chaotic world, let me offer you a piece of advice: Life is ultimately about cultivating your spirit and character. No matter how intense the pressure is, don’t let the problems overwhelm you. Broaden your perspective and maintain a positive outlook. Do not put too much importance on material wealth—you bring nothing into this world, and you take nothing with you when you leave it.
“What is truly yours will never be lost, and what is not meant for you can never be obtained. In everything you do, treat others with sincerity, maintain a righteous heart, trade fairly, and prioritize your reputation above all else. If you do this, your business will surely flourish, and your spirits will soar.”
The man replied, “What you said is absolutely true! It spoke right to my heart! I’ve been feeling terribly depressed lately. Your words seemed to untie a knot in my heart, and I feel such a sense of relief! I’ve met a guardian angel! I really hope you’ll find the time to drop by and chat with me again sometime. I could really use your guidance and encouragement.”
Because the store had surveillance cameras, I was fearful and wasn’t able to talk about Dafa and help him to quit the CCP. Afterward, I couldn’t let it go and really wished I could save him.
Master arranged another opportunity for me when I later bumped into him on the street.
“What a coincidence! We meet again!” He seemed happy to see me. “Since we have such a great connection, I wanted to tell you that I’m a Falun Dafa practitioner.”
“Oh, no wonder. I sensed that you were no ordinary person. The insights you shared were so agreeable. The more I listened, the more I wanted to hear. I felt that you must be guided by someone extraordinary.
“I know a little bit about Falun Dafa. I know it’s good, that it teaches Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and tells people to be kind.”
“How wonderful it would be,” I said, “if everyone followed Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance! They would be physically and mentally healthy, they would have happy families, and society would be stable!”
I mentioned how former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin orchestrated the Tiananmen Square self-immolation hoax, framed Falun Dafa, and deceived the public. I also talked about how the CCP was rife with so many corrupt and greedy officials and that it was utterly devoid of conscience and would be eliminated by heaven. I then advised him to withdraw from any CCP organization he had joined.
“I’ve never joined any of them. I never believed what the Party said,” he replied.
I said, “That’s great!” and encouraged him to remember “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”
Seeing the joy of this man’s reaction, my eyes welled up with tears.
I’ve had a passion for sewing all my life. I often cut, trimmed, altered, and resized garments from large to small, loose to fitted, or high-necked to low-necked. Sometimes, I would rip seams and sew them up again, then rip them out once more, never resting until the result perfectly matched my vision.
Over time, I developed an attachment to this skill. I was often complimented for being so nimble-fingered, clever, and talented. For a cultivator, however, all addictions, preferences, and notions are attachments that hinder our ability to improve. For the past few years, no matter how hard I tried, I was unable to cultivate diligently. I knew there were problems with my xinxing, but I could not find them.
One day when I was sending righteous thoughts, a scene appeared before my eyes: a thick rope was threaded through a vintage jacket, entering one sleeve and passing through the other. It was a white, traditional wrap-front top, hanging perfectly straight and smooth. It was clear that this garment had been made with great care.
What was Master trying to reveal to me? As I pondered this, the scene suddenly shifted to a new vision: a display of modern garments—some large, some small— but all in need of alteration and repair. The thought crossed my mind: “Need repair, need repair,” ... “need cultivating!” (in Chinese, “repair” sounds the same as “cultivate.”)
Ah! All of the sudden, I understood. Master was telling me not to waste my time on such useless matters and cultivate away the mindset of making unnecessary alterations to clothes. Cultivation is serious. The Fa-rectification has reached its end, yet I was clinging to my entrenched notions and habits! Master showed me an ancient white wrap-front top, telling me what I was doing was such a waste of time! Time is so tight right now. Who has the time to mess around with these outdated things?
It then dawned on me: Master helped me to find the problems which had prevented me from improving to a higher realm. If I didn’t come to my senses, these addictions and mindsets would control my life.
I’m so grateful to Master, who lifted me from the depths of hell, cleansed me, and saved me from suffering through the cycle of samsara. He bestowed upon me the honor of being a Dafa disciple in the Fa-rectification period. I will listen to Master and do the three things well. I will fulfill my prehistoric vow, and follow him to return to my true home.
Category: Cultivation Insights
