(Minghui.org) There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, “At thirty, one should have established oneself.” However, by the time I was about 30, I had accomplished almost nothing.
I didn’t have a steady job, nor had I started a family. I had a boyfriend, but I kept lingering on the threshold of marriage, never wanting to take that step. I always felt there must be something more important for me to do in the future. After many twists and turns, I ultimately decided to end the relationship.
Practicing Falun Dafa at Age 30
It was winter, on the eve of my 30th birthday, when I began practicing Falun Dafa. After practicing, it felt as if the whole world had changed. Before that, I hadn’t realized how deeply I was consumed by worldly desires and attachments. I was constantly troubled, burdened by endless worries, and life was exhausting.
By following the Dafa principles, I experienced a carefree peace and stability that I had never felt before, and I no longer even thought about pursuing material possessions or a romantic relationship.
At that time, apart from work, I studied the Fa teachings, did the Dafa exercises, and set everything else aside. Although my mind was clear and unburdened, I felt no inner emptiness. Life seemed more beautiful and full of hope than ever.
Wherever I went and whatever I saw, I could clearly sense a shift in my worldview—I no longer saw things the way I used to. I stopped dwelling on personal gain or loss, and each day was filled with indescribable lightness and joy.
Before practicing Dafa, I was plagued by many worldly desires and lived in a state of constant exhaustion; no amount of rest, sleep, relaxation, or supplements restored my energy. Everything changed after I began practicing Dafa: I felt light on my feet and full of energy in everything I did. My previous menstrual pain went away.
My Demanding Job Became Easy With the Blessings of Dafa
I am a teacher. Although I don’t have to work fixed office hours, the subjects I teach cover a wide range of topics—and I don’t have a background in any of those fields—so I need to keep learning and acquiring new knowledge, which requires a lot of preparation time.
My daily schedule was demanding; sometimes I taught six to eight hours a day. The work required intense concentration because each class presented different content and there were no ready-made PowerPoint presentations to rely on. I also provided targeted assistance to students, which made the pressure immense.
Back then, if I hadn’t found Dafa and hadn’t had the support of Master Li and the power of Dafa, I would never have chosen this profession. Master’s guidance in opening my wisdom and enlightenment gave me ample energy and stamina, enabling me to continue in this role for over a decade.
Despite the pressure, I don’t find my job burdensome; every day brings a deep sense of accomplishment. Because I conduct myself and carry out my duties in accordance with the Fa’s requirements, I’ve performed my work exceptionally well every semester, earning recognition and praise from the school, managers, and my students. Sometimes, I share facts about Falun Dafa with my students, who listen intently and gain a significant understanding.
Before I began practicing Dafa and living in an environment of forced Chinese Communist Party (CCP) brainwashing, I was not very good at distinguishing the truth. However, to effectively share the facts about the Fa with my students, I broke through the internet blockade and conducted extensive research and reading.
Even as I stood at the podium, speaking eloquently and feeling truly knowledgeable and articulate, I could hardly believe I had once been completely uninformed and ignorant.
Undoubtedly, Master’s compassionate salvation and the profound nature of Dafa forged this new me. The principles of the universe, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, were constantly refining me, bringing about a complete transformation before I even realized it.
Taking Things As They Unfold
I have remained single since I began practicing. Master said,
“If something is yours, you will not lose it. If something is not yours, you will not have it even if you fight for it.” (Lecture Seven, Zhuan Falun).
Therefore, I have always maintained a balanced mindset about my inability to find a suitable spouse. I understand that many things cannot be forced or contrived, and that attachments to sentiment and lust must be fully let go. Master has already arranged everything for me.
Doing the three things every day is time-consuming. Given my limited time to manage daily life, I simply could not cope if a spouse were added to the mix. Of course, I defer entirely to Master’s arrangements. Should circumstances change, as long as I conduct myself well as a cultivator, there will be no problem that cannot be resolved.
Although I do not have a partner, lustful thoughts still enter my mind. Through constant study and memorization of the Fa, I gradually realized that these thoughts are not my true self but are interference that I must negate and eliminate with righteous thoughts.
After looking within, I discovered that I still harbored attachments to the so-called beauty of the ordinary human world, as well as to laziness, dependency, a desire for comfort, and the pursuit of perfection.
Although I’m always busy and do everything by myself, the amazing thing is that I’ve never felt any sense of loss or sadness deep down. This is all because our compassionate and great Master has removed certain ordeals and unnecessary suffering for me, while bestowing upon me a sacred, unprecedented mission. With the thought of the many people yet to be saved, how could I, as a Dafa disciple, have time to feel lonely?
Dafa Granted Me Wisdom and Happiness
Many years ago, I began memorizing the Fa. I’ve only memorized it twice so far, and I’m now on my third round. This is because I memorize only one or two paragraphs each day, and I spend the rest of my Fa-study time reading Zhuan Falun and the lectures delivered in various cities throughout China and the world.
Since I started memorizing the Fa, my character has truly improved. I can now quickly recognize various attachments that previously went unnoticed and eliminate them. When I encounter tests or tribulations, I no longer feel they are insurmountable.
I use writing to validate the Fa and clarify the truth. At first, I could only write narrative pieces and reflections on life, but later I began writing news commentary and analytical articles. Memorizing the Fa has played a significant role in this process.
Sometimes, after a busy day, my mind would be muddled, and I wouldn’t know what to say. But as soon as I calmly memorized a passage of the Fa, the whole world seemed to slow, my thoughts began to clear, and my drowsiness and fatigue vanished instantly.
I used to lack the interest or ability to understand books with even moderately complex concepts. However, after practicing Dafa, I found reading effortless. Whether the material involved technical terminology or classical text, I could quickly grasp the content.
After a full day at work, I felt tired, but after studying the Fa and practicing the exercises, I began reading books that require effort to work through and help supplement the knowledge I need. I read for hours, stopping only when it was time to send righteous thoughts at night.
Each time I closed a book, I was filled with awe at the wonder of Dafa. When writing to clarify the truth, I truly felt I was “writing as if guided by the divine.” I discovered that as long as one walks the path of cultivation steadfastly, one will inevitably experience the extraordinary power of Dafa and feel deep gratitude for being bathed in the light of the Dafa of the cosmos.
Since I began practicing Dafa, I have felt the suffering of ordinary human life only rarely. Although doing the three things involves the heart-wrenching pain of cultivating away attachments and the challenges of sharing facts about Falun Dafa to save people, it is worlds apart from the suffering experienced in the human realm.
Whenever I eliminate more of my attachments, elevate my xinxing, or successfully clarify the truth to someone, the emotion and joy I feel deep within are beyond words. I understand that all of this stems from Dafa. As I walk the path Master arranged for me to return to my original, true self, what reason do I have not to be happy?
