(Minghui.org) I am 70 years old, and I started practicing Falun Dafa in 1997.
Practicing Falun Dafa and Recovering from Illness
Most people consider their 20s to be the best years of their lives, but mine were filled with illness and suffering. I was constantly plagued with colds, fevers, menstrual cramps, and many other physical ailments. My life revolved around seeking medical attention.
By my thirties, my health had deteriorated even further. I endured heart disease, superficial gastritis, neurasthenia, insomnia, myocarditis, low blood pressure, blood deficiency, appendicitis (removed by surgery), bilateral tonsillitis (also removed), cholecystitis, and rhinitis. My life was truly miserable, and I felt living was worse than dying. It was as if I were drifting in a boundless sea of suffering, with no shore in sight. Yet, deep down, I felt that I was waiting for something—or perhaps something was waiting for me.
In July 1997, I began practicing Falun Dafa. Even before I had finished reading Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa, I sensed that this practice was truly extraordinary. The following morning, I went to a local group practice site to learn the exercises. Because I lived in a remote area, there were only three practitioners there, including myself. The two other senior practitioners patiently taught me, and I practiced diligently.
After I learned all five sets of exercises, the morning practice ended. On my way home, I felt my body was incredibly light, my legs—which usually felt as heavy as lead—now wanted to jump for joy. I was immensely happy and silently thanked Master Li from the bottom of my heart.
Since then, I have not experienced any symptoms of illness. Within just a few days, I discarded all my medicine. I went from feeling drowsy and groggy to feeling light and at ease, my heart filled with lightness, and a constant smile on my face. It was as if I had been lifted from a sea of suffering up to heaven. The difference was so overwhelming that I could hardly believe it! Sometimes I wondered if I was dreaming. But when I thought about it carefully, I knew it was all real. Every day I held the Dafa book in my hands and studied, and every morning I went to the practice site to do the exercises. Under the guidance of Master and Dafa, each day became joyful and filled with hope.
Discovering My Fundamental Attachment
I have unwavering faith in Master. Apart from the time when I was illegally detained for my beliefs, I have never stopped studying the Fa, or helping Master save sentient beings. Yet, because I have never identified my root attachment, I continued to be trapped by anger, hatred, resentment, and a strong sense of justice.
One day, I visited a coordinator’s home. As soon as I entered, the coordinator and another fellow practitioner said in unison, “We were just talking about you, and here you are.”
Some time later, I visited this coordinator’s home again and found another fellow practitioner there. Once again, they said in unison, “We were just talking about you, and here you are.” I replied, “Really? I would like to hear what it is.” After a brief pause, the coordinator hesitated before mentioning two things; one was that I took too long to answer the door when fellow practitioners visit my house. However, I can’t quite recall the other issue.
I felt uneasy when I learned that fellow practitioners had been talking about me behind my back. But when I thought it over, I realized I had done the same. Whenever I noticed a practitioner’s attachments, I would keep them in mind and later bring them up when I thought it was appropriate. Feelings of anger, hatred, resentment, and a sense of injustice often welled up in my heart, causing me to miss a lot of opportunities to improve.
About three year ago, a rift developed between one of the coordinators and me. Whenever we encountered each other on the street, we would avoid eye contact. On the rare occasion that required us to exchange a few words, the conversation always felt awkward and uncomfortable. I tried sending forth righteous thoughts to break through this rift, but despite my efforts, I just couldn’t seem to break through it.
One day in April 2025, while reciting the Fa with deep concentration, I asked myself, “What was my original motivation for cultivation?” At that moment, a thought struck me, “I have finally escaped from the sea of suffering.” Suddenly, I realized, “Oh my, this is my fundamental attachment!” I felt immense gratitude to Master for pointing this out to me.
At that moment, my mind in this dimension—and in others— was being shattered layer upon layer, as if struck by the shockwave of an atomic bomb explosion, or as if massive doors were being smashed open one after another. I quietly experienced this extraordinary state for several minutes. Soon, it was time to send forth righteous thoughts. I continued for half an hour, still feeling my mind in different layers being blown open, though the sensation gradually weakened.
I wondered why my bodies in different layers had changed so dramatically. What exactly was being blown open? It suddenly became clear that the old cosmic attributes within my bodies in different layers—once as solid as granite and deeply rooted in self-interest and selfishness—were being dissolved by the power of the Fa.
Looking Inward Changed Everything
After identifying my fundamental attachments, my perspective naturally changed.
I no longer focused on fellow practitioners’ shortcomings; instead, I saw the good qualities in each of them. I also realized how much I had hurt others over the years because of my attachments. I apologized sincerely to those whom I had offended.
Not long afterward, I met the coordinator on the street again. As soon as she saw me, she smiled, and we hugged. She held me tightly in her arms. I felt a warm glow, and my eyes were filled with tears.
On another occasion, I visited a fellow practitioner’s home. During our conversation, she suddenly became upset and began to point out all the ways I was wrong. She was angry and asked me, “Do you know why no one wants to visit your home? Why is everyone keeping their distance from you? The evil forces are targeting you!”
Had that happened in the past, I would have immediately argued with her or tried to defend myself. This time, however, I remained calm. I simply repeated quietly to myself, “I do not acknowledge it, I do not acknowledge it.”
Now, when I see or hear about a fellow practitioner’s shortcomings, I no longer dwell on them. I try to look inward to see if I have similar problems. For example, when I noticed that a fellow practitioner had lied, I looked inward and found that I myself was not being truthful. When a fellow practitioner who is also a family member didn’t visit me for quite some time, I realized that Master was helping me let go of my attachment to relying on others for emotional support.
I discovered that by looking inward in any situation I face, I am able to find my own attachments. I am determined to make good use of the precious tool that Master has given to us to cultivate myself until I am pure and clean, to help Master save more sentient beings, and to follow Master back to my beautiful heavenly home with a pure heart.
Throughout my cultivation practice, every step forward has been made possible by Master’s compassionate protection, blessings, guidance, and encouragement. As I near the end of my cultivation journey, Master pointed out my fundamental attachment, enabling me to walk the correct path of cultivation to validate the Fa. I am fully aware of the immense karmic burdens Master has had to bear to save a disciple like me. Master has also spared no effort in saving me. I must strive even harder!
Category: Improving Oneself
