(Clearwisdom.net) Looking inward is not only like a ladder for us to elevate our xinxing, it can also disintegrate the old forces' persecution.
Before I obtained the Fa in 1997, I suffered from arteriosclerosis that affected my brain, arthritis, and severe heart disease. Knowing that I had a bleak future ahead of me, I used to drink heavily in order to relieve my depression. I even talked about making arrangements for my death.
After I obtained the Fa, Teacher eliminated my karma for me. My health recovered, and I no longer felt lost. I truly found the path for my life. It was after I finished reading the book Zhuan Falun that I realized I was far from knowing how to be a human. I stood before Teacher's picture with my palms pressed together and tears in my eyes and said, "Teacher, the old me that existed before 1997 has already died. The me that existed after 1997 was born in Falun Dafa."
Since then, Dafa has given me a new lease on and direction in life. I entrusted my whole life to Teacher and Dafa. Rain or shine, I persevered in studying the Fa, practicing the exercises, and spreading the Fa to people. In particular, after Teacher let me see splendid scenes in another dimension, I had more confidence in studying the Fa and spreading the Fa.
After July 20, 1999, I witnessed the the evil defaming Teacher and Dafa, as well as the persecution of fellow practitioners. I went to visit the police and the Political Law committee to appeal. Consequently, I was detained and brutally tortured in a detention center. In the extremely cold winter, the police poured cold water all over me, beat me, and tortured me with different tactics.
Faced with the evil persecution, I thought about Teacher's words, "Having heard the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening." ("Melting Into the Fa" in Essentials for Further Advancement) At that time the chief of the detention center said to me, "Xinming, I simply don't believe that you will not give in." I replied, "Let me tell you this: I will not give in as long as I still have my head on my shoulders." The chief was so mad that he stamped his feet and left.
At that time I stopped eating or drinking. I reasoned that I would rather die than give in to them. Nevertheless, when I calmed my mind, I thought to myself, "That's not right. I'm a Dafa practitioner. Why am I suffering this kind of persecution?" I remembered what Teacher said in Zhuan Falun: "Our Law Wheel protects you if you're a true cultivator." Why was I suffering this kind of persecution? I suddenly understood that we cultivate the great law of the universe and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, yet I was full of human attachments, hatred, resentment, and a fighting mentality. On the surface I safeguarded the Fa, while in reality I had attachments and I did not truly put my mind on the Fa. I closed my eyes and quietly told Teacher in my mind, "Teacher, I was wrong. I was not in the Fa."
Afterward, I thought that I should not stay there because it was not a place a Dafa practitioner should be. I wanted to make use of my body to clarify the truth and to validate the Fa.
After that, I realized that I had spent too little time studying the Fa; I did not study the Fa well, nor did I assimilate with the Fa. In the detention center when I was made to sit on a bench, I seized the opportunity to recite Zhuan Falun and Essentials for Further Advancement. I recited whatever came to my mind. Although my eyes were closed, I could see rings of golden light all over the prison wall. I had an even stronger faith in Teacher and the Fa. I knew Teacher was watching over me and looking after me.
One day an officer sent for me and said, "Some supervisors from the National Security Office have come and asked for you." When the supervisors interrogated me, I replied rationally. I also told them about the beauty and goodness of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. At first their faces were angry and mean. Later they came to understand the truth about Falun Dafa, and said, "Brother, what you say is all right. It is the Communist Party that does not let you practice. You did not commit any crime. You may leave."
That night in my dreams, I saw countless points of light falling from the sky like snow. As the lights got closer and closer, they landed on the ground as countless heavenly gods in silver armor with shields. They said to me, "Teacher has sent us to rescue you."
Through looking inward and with Teacher's compassionate care, I was able to walk out of the detention center in less than a month.