(Clearwisdom.net) On October 1, 2004, a local experience sharing conference was successfully held for young Falun Dafa practitioners in a city of Heilongjiang Province, China. More than twenty young practitioners attended the conference. The oldest was seventeen years old. Most of these young practitioners had begun practicing Falun Gong before the persecution began on July 20, 1999, and they have all experienced persecution. Some had slacked off and had almost stopped practicing. To help them catch up with Fa-rectification, they participated in the experience sharing conference to improve together. During the conference, six or seven young practitioners shared their understandings and experiences regarding Fa-study, sending forth righteous thoughts, and clarifying the truth. Some of the parents shared their experiences in guiding their children in their cultivation and Fa-study.
A high school student talked about how he balanced Fa-study and doing the exercises with his schoolwork. He said that he must do well the things a Falun Dafa disciple is supposed to do, as well as being a good student. He was strict with himself in order to meet the requirements of a practitioner. In school he tried his best to study, listened to the lectures attentively, and always tried to finish his homework at school. At home, whenever he had time, he would study the Fa, do the exercises, and send forth righteous thoughts. He often recited the Fa and sent forth righteous thoughts when he was on his way between school and home. He said that doing well in Fa-study and the exercises would not undermine his education at all. On the contrary, it made schoolwork easier and he was able to achieve better results more efficiently. He insisted on studying the Fa even the night before the high school entrance exams. His performance was so good that his teacher was impressed. He often helped his classmates, and both his teachers and classmates praised him for his generosity and high moral standards. He was the only one in the school to win The Award of Virtue.
Another young practitioner reported that her classmates once asked why her father didn't visit her in the dorm as her mother did. She explained that her father had been imprisoned for practicing Falun Dafa and described the persecution he had suffered. She also told the kids that the practice had greatly improved his mental and physical well-being. Her father used to smoke, drink, and play mahjong until late at night. He also had a tumor. After practicing Falun Dafa, he not only became physically healthy, but also eliminated his bad habits and became kinder and more responsible. Nonetheless, the Jiang regime imprisoned him for practicing Falun Dafa. After listening to her story, her classmates were moved to tears.
As a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple, she recognized that she still had areas where she needed to improve. She was musically talented and was the only solo singer her school selected to perform for visiting groups. During a nationwide singing contest, she was in an unhappy mood because her father had been arrested. She felt she had performed poorly but was surprised to win the Third Prize. She was very touched. She felt that the award was encouragement from Teacher.
There was also a young practitioner who knew how to play the erhu (a stringed musical instrument). Because she was so busy with school and practicing the erhu, she did not pay attention to Fa-study. As a result, she was tired both physically and mentally, and was under huge pressure. She also performed poorly on the erhu, and her teacher was dissatisfied with her. Later on, she made Fa-study her highest priority. Within the week, the teacher was very happy with her performance and assumed that it was the result of intensive practice. In fact, she had spent less time practicing the erhu that week and more time studying the Fa.
Another young practitioner said that he used to think with ordinary notions and worry when he talked to his classmates about Falun Dafa: Would his classmates discriminate against him? Would they be able to understand him? He discovered that when his fellow students learned the truth, they truly thanked him and became friendlier, thus creating a better environment.
An adult practitioner shared his experience of talking to the other kids while he was setting up the dining table for them. At the beginning, the kids were very negative and made rude remarks. Later, they became kind and tolerant. The kids came to accept the truth. Some even wanted to learn the exercises.
After this experience sharing, the parents realized that they must not neglect these young practitioners during this special period. It is our responsibility to let go of all human notions and encourage the children to do what Dafa disciples are supposed to do. Young practitioners are playing important roles in Fa-rectification. They are often purer, have fewer human notions, and encounter fewer problems than adults do when they tell people about Falun Dafa and the persecution. Most of the young practitioners have accompanied their parents in distributing flyers and VCDs, hanging up banners, passing on information, and delivering materials and Teacher's articles. In addition, they are part of a huge population of young people that needs to know the truth.
Sometimes, because of their own attachments, parents set unrealistically high standards for their children's success in school. As a result, the children may not pay attention to Fa-study and may not have good effects in clarifying the truth about Falun Gong.
Through sharing, the young practitioners learned a lot, and found their omissions. They realized that Fa-study will not interfere with their schoolwork, but will help them. They also resolved that they would not fail in their sacred mission as Falun Dafa disciples.
October 3, 2004
