"Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" Called to Me and My Journey Began

I have been practicing for two months now, and like many people, I have been searching for something to "satisfy" me. It was not until the Fa found me that I knew THIS is what I had been looking for all along. I was introduced to Falun Dafa at "North Wales-Day" in Pennsylvania. The compassion and contentedness of all the practitioners there was inspiring. One practitioner was doing calligraphy, mostly of peoples' names. But when I approached him, something inside me said to ask for the calligraphy of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance). It just seemed like the right thing to do. I did ask, took the drawing home and framed it. Each day, when I wake up and when I go to sleep I see it. These three words/principles called to me and my journey began.

First I attended a group practice with a few practitioners. The energy I received from practicing Falun Dafa made me want to learn more. Then I purchased Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun, Master Li's two books. I began to read, read, read, and read. Each time I read, things became clearer and I knew I had found what I needed to satisfy myself, and why it took me so long to find it. As a non-practitioner / westerner, these principles, Zhen, Shan, and Ren, were clouded from my sight by all of the karma that my ancestors, parents, and I had generated over the years. We have been taught to pursue personal gain, a better standard of living, more comfort, and more money-- everyday westerner/ nonpractitioners' goals.

This pursuit of self-interest, as I understood from Teacher's words, leads some people to use improper means to take things that belong to others, and what we end up doing is exchanging our virtue. Readily, we think we are succeeding, but we are not, because without virtue one cannot have gong (energy). We have gained many attachments. I have many attachments. Since I have been introduced to the Fa, I know why I have never been satisfied and what I must do to be satisfied. I must cultivate myself little by little, improve step by step, face the challenges that are presented to me, develop my xinxing (mind and heart nature) and continue my journey toward consummation.

A lot has happened to me in the last couple of months. I have found the Fa and began my journey toward consummation. I attended my first conference, which happened to be the first international conference [in Washington D.C. on July 22, 2001]. I saw Master Li and listened to his words of inspiration. I have met many practitioners from all over the world and have been inspired by their experiences. I have seen what the principles of Zhen, Shan, and Ren can do and because of this, I am not overwhelmed but rather inspired to cultivate and improve step by step, little by little.

I now know that I don't want the things others want, and I don't possess the things others possess. But I have things others don't have; and I want things others don't. So, my journey has begun and I will face many challenges along the way, but I have the Fa and the inspiration of my fellow practitioners. I would like to conclude by thanking all of you for your Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.