(Clearwisdom.net) I became a Falun Dafa practitioner in the spring of 2005. My health has completely changed since then. Within a couple of months my energy level increased tremendously and the health problems I had suffered from for many years, including digestive problems and blood sugar imbalances, all disappeared or have greatly diminished. I changed from being a frail, elderly lady, into a vibrantly energetic person. I can do things now that I had not done in many years.
But I did not become a Falun Dafa practitioner to get health benefits; it was because I wanted to cultivate, become an enlightened being, and end the cycle of reincarnation. For 20 years I sought "enlightenment" by studying esoteric teachings and practicing meditation. When I read Zhuan Falun I knew I had found what I was seeking. I strongly resonated with Teacher Li's words about improving "xinxing." I felt that this must be the foundation of true cultivation. I finally got a satisfactory answer to the question, "Why am I here on earth, while other beings are in heaven?" Teacher Li says we have dropped down here because we were bad or selfish in the heavenly places where we lived before. Now we have to abandon our selfishness and other attachments and pay for our karma in order to return.
I was very happy when I found Falun Dafa. I started right away to practice the exercises, study the Fa with my fellow practitioners in San Diego and get involved in truth clarification projects. To get the big picture I quickly read all of Teacher books and articles, and everything about the persecution.
When I first heard about the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China, I was not sure what to make of it, and was reluctant to get involved or allow myself to have strong emotional reactions about it. I felt it was the karma of the individuals coming back to them, and that there was really nothing I could do about it. I thought that if I got too involved and got myself all emotionally upset about it, I would attract bad things to myself as well.
But when I read Zhuan Falun, it became clear to me that the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners is different from the tribulations of other people, because Falun Dafa practitioners are cultivators. Teacher explained in Zhuan Falun:
"Therefore, once a person wants to practice cultivation, his or her Buddha- nature is considered to have come forth. Such a thought is most precious, for this person wants to return to his or her original, true self and transcend the ordinary human level.
Perhaps everyone has heard this statement in Buddhism: "When one's Buddha-nature emerges, it will shake 'the world of ten directions.'" Whoever sees it will come to give a hand and help this person out unconditionally. In providing salvation to humankind, the Buddha School does not attach any condition or seek returns, and it will help unconditionally."
I realized that what Falun Dafa practitioners are going through is very different from other things. I could not turn my back; I too had to help end the persecution. From everything I read about Falun Dafa and the persecution, I was filled with a deep sense that this is the historic event that the world has been waiting for. It is the dharma ending period called by Buddhists "the final battle between good and evil." In fact, many religions have been predicting this. When I read that within seven years there were 100 million Falun Dafa practitioners, and about the violence of the persecution, I thought that this must be the fulfillment of all the prophecies.
I have tried to find one thought from Master's teachings to hold onto when I feel that I am being tested, or when my emotions start getting out of control, which happened a lot when I read day after day about the details of the persecution. Master wrote in Zhuan Falun:
"As you know, when a person reaches the Arhat level, in his heart he is not concerned about anything. He does not care at all in his heart for any ordinary human matter, and he will always be smiling and in good spirits."
This is my first Fa conference, and this is all I want to say today. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to our Teacher for saving us, and also to my fellow practitioners who are a source of inspiration and joy to me.
Thank you!
