(Clearwisdom.net) I will never forget the year 1997, because that was the year I embarked on the path of cultivation and began to practice Falun Dafa. Similar to the experiences of other practitioners, I found the practice improved me greatly in every respect.
When I began to practice Falun Gong I was in the fourth grade. On the first test I took after learning Falun Dafa, instead of scoring near the bottom of the class as I usually did, my grade was in the top ten. To my parents, and especially my teachers, this was nothing short of a miracle, and of course I told them with pride and gratitude, "I practice Falun Gong!" All my classmates clapped their hands, hailing the miracle of Falun Gong. I knew clearly that without Falun Dafa, I would not have experienced such a miracle.
On July 20, 1999, the evil persecution started, and it was as if it eclipsed the sky and covered the earth. During this test of wills I came to understand that the evil would never triumph over the virtuous, so I vowed to persist in my belief, standing by Teacher's side and dwelling in Dafa (the Great Law). When the persecution began on July 20th, I was in the fifth grade. I was summoned to the principal's office. Several policemen were present in the office and they asked me many questions, including why I wanted to practice Falun Gong. I answered all their questions honestly.
Despite learning that Falun Gong is so wonderful, the policemen ordered me not to practice, and I told them sternly and righteously, "It's my right to practice Falun Dafa, and no one is in a position to prevent me from acting according to my beliefs."
I knew the value of Dafa and I knew that worldly people would not know that they should cherish Dafa. At his wits end, the principal said, "If Falun Gong is as miraculous as you have said, then show me by advancing into the top three in your class." I really didn't know if I was capable of achieving that goal, but I felt a power rushing through me and out of my mouth came the words: "Yes, I can!"
After the exams I was in fact listed in the top three, and all the teachers in my school had no choice but to acknowledge the miracle of Falun Dafa. I knew clearly that it was Teacher who helped me. This incident is proof of the greatness of Falun Dafa, and to this day, it is still a favorite topic among the teachers of my school.
Since I started practicing Falun Gong, I have never been ill, and people just can't believe how healthy I am.
After July 20th, 1999, I began to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to the public; in the evening I went out to distribute pamphlets. When I first started I was afraid of the dark and dared not walk alone. When I compared my troubles with the suffering of my fellow practitioners in jail, I knew that what I faced was really nothing. Isn't this fear an attachment? If it is, then shouldn't I let it go? I also realized that we practitioners are protected by Teacher's Fashen (Law Bodies). When I enlightened to this, my fear disappeared.
In school I gave truth-clarification materials and cards to my classmates. When they refused to take them, I knew it was because they were deceived by the lies spread on television and through other media, and I would calmly explain the truth to them. Before I learned Falun Gong I was very impatient. Through the process of clarifying the truth, I not only let people know about the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa, but I also gave up my bad habit of being impatient. I knew I was advancing in many ways.
Since learning Falun Gong, I have always held the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" as my standard of action; therefore, I get along very well with my classmates. Because they know me, they listen to me and believe me in any circumstance. So it's only natural for them to believe in Falun Dafa. Whenever they hear people saying bad things about Falun Dafa, they stand up and tell them that Falun Gong is not like what has been said on television. The things my classmates have done have actually reduced the obstacles for me in clarifying the truth to the people around me.
When I hear other people slander Falun Dafa I feel sadness and deep regret for them. Like other practitioners, I keep sending forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil things that influence these people. I know that the days of the evil are numbered.
More and more people have begun to believe in Falun Gong's goodness and many others have begun practicing. I will persevere in practicing Falun Dafa, and I will walk every step well, while closely following Teacher.