Two American Practitioners Share their Experiences of Falun Gong

I. High School Teacher Uses Difficulties of her Job to Cultivate Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance

Like many westerners, I've had a long term interest in Eastern philosophies and holistic practices -- acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tai Chi, qigong, the mind/body connection, etc. I wanted to understand the purpose of life, to live in harmony with nature and to have a long and healthy life. I feel the ancient culture of China, with all its wisdom and knowledge, has a lot to teach us about how to live in harmony with nature and with each other. Compared to this ancient culture, we westerners are like the little brothers and sisters in our understanding of life.

I feel that Falun Gong is the crown jewel of the traditional culture of China. Oriental medicine teaches that to have a long and healthy life, "you have to have a clean heart and few desires." Falun Gong teaches us how to have a clean heart and few desires. It's not about looking for external solutions to one's problems or illnesses. It's about goodness, about cultivating xinxing (mind nature, moral character).

I've practiced for a little more than three years and I've experienced profound changes in my outlook, understanding, and health. I teach in the difficult environment of a public high school where it's easy to become judgmental and impatient with students. Falun Gong practice helps me stay balanced and calm and to turn the difficulties into opportunities to cultivate Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, the core principles of Falun Gong. Our children, our schools, and every aspect of society would be greatly improved if we restored these principles to their proper place in our hearts.

I sincerely hope the government of China will come to understand, accept, and even respect Falun Gong as a national treasure. We practitioners will do all we can to clarify the truth.

II. Cultivation of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance Transforms Practitioner's Life and the Lives of His Family Members

One day I came across Falun Gong while I was surfing the web. I had read about the crackdown in China and wanted to find out what was so powerful about this cultivation system that people in China were willing to risk their lives to clarify the truth and to exercise their rights to their beliefs.

When I went to the local practice site, I saw people meditating in full lotus. I was struck by their peacefulness and the power of the exercise. I knew immediately that this was for me and wanted to know more about it. I went to a nine-day seminar-- a videotaped lecture series given by the teacher and founder, Master Li Hongzhi. During the seminar, I knew in my heart that this practice would teach me how to be a better person.

I used to gamble and use drugs. Falun Gong showed me how to cultivate my heart and mind to assimilate into the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. The teachings provided the guidance I had been lacking. I immediately stopped engaging in drugs and gambling.

My wife saw remarkable changes in me in just a few months of practicing Falun Gong. She was so impressed that she started practicing too. My daughter was also struck by the changes in me and wanted to know what had brought about this transformation, so I introduced her to Zhuan Falun, the principle book of Teacher Li Hongzhi. Reading Zhuan Falun with her was one of the best experiences of my life.

Many of you have seen practitioners doing the exercises. Maybe you've also been struck by the beauty, tranquility, and positive energy of the practice. I sincerely hope that you will take the time to understand what Falun Gong really is, to look at it with an open mind and heart, and to reject politically motivated slander. The world could use more Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance.