(Clearwisdom.net) I was fortunate to begin practicing Falun Dafa in July 1997. I felt very lucky, so I was determined to do well in Fa-study, doing the exercises, improving my xinxing, and getting rid of human notions.

Prior to cultivation, I had many illnesses including gallstones, kidney stones, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), and sciatica. I had to carry medications with me all the time. After practicing Falun Dafa for more than a month, all the illnesses disappeared. My body weight became normal--from 34 kilograms to 48 kilograms (85 lbs to 105 lbs). Not only the illnesses were gone, I also looked more energetic and younger.

Teacher helped me so much, and it is truly wonderful. I thought there was no way to repay Teacher's compassion except by having the determination to cultivate diligently.

When the persecution started on July 20, 1999, it was extremely distressing, and I was unable to eat or sleep. I was in tears all day and did not know what to do. Later, some local practitioners gathered together for Fa-study and discussions. We all agreed that we could not consider ourselves as powerless human beings. We were Dafa disciples and we needed to restore Dafa and Teacher's good name. In late October 1999, several dozen practitioners in my area went to Beijing to appeal. They were arrested by police in Tiananmen Square and taken to local detention centers. After being detained for more than 40 days and having money extorted from them, they were released for their employers to continue monitoring them.

During the brutal persecution that has lasted for more than eight years, we have made it with Teacher's compassionate care. CCP totalitarianism did not defeat me, but instead made me more firm in cultivation. I spent lots of time studying the Fa and tried to find more time to share understandings with fellow practitioners. I became clearer on Teacher's Fa. I tried to do the three things well to validate the Fa. Although I have done poorly compared to practitioners who are very diligent, I have been trying to do well--not overjoyed at success or frustrated by difficulties.

• Having faith in Teacher and consistently saving sentient beings

In the process of truth-clarification, some people are willing to quit the CCP in a few minutes, while others are difficult to convince. While clarifying the truth to people face-to-face, I once met a retired county officer. I introduced him to the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and told him about the brutality of the CCP. He did not accept it and even said, "The CCP nurtured you as you grew up. How could you turn around and say bad things about it?" I gave him a copy of the Nine Commentaries, but he did not accept it and left in anger. I did not give up, but instead looked within. I also read more of the Nine Commentaries and thought about how to try my best to save him. I have a solid faith in Teacher, and I also sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate interference.

I was confident he could be saved, so I kept clarifying truth to him, more than 10 times in total within three months. Finally, I read the Nine Commentaries with him. I talked in detail about the brutality of the CCP, especially the different political movements including the Cultural Revolution. More than 80 million died due to the CCP's brutality, and this number exceeds the total number of deaths during both the First and Second World Wars. I asked him, "Will the souls of those dead people forgive the CCP? Will heaven forgive the CCP? Shouldn't such a huge debt be paid?" I also talked about the fact that many senior officials were wronged and persecuted during the Cultural Revolution. He agreed on these points and pondered for a while. Then he agreed to quit the CCP. Not only he, but his entire family--10 people altogether--chose to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. He also said, "In the past, people praised Mao Zedong, thinking he benefited the people. But he was indeed an evil person." I also reminded him to remember "Falun Dafa is good" and "'Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance' is good" to have a peaceful and happy life. When I left, he was very happy and said, "Now I have witnessed that Falun Gong practitioners are a group of kindhearted people. Thank you very much." I said, "You are welcome. If you want to show your gratitude, please thank Falun Dafa and Master Li. It is Master Li who saved us."

• Following Teacher's words

When clarifying the truth, I deeply realized that we have to study the Fa well, and improve our xinxing. We need to truly follow Teacher's words and get rid of various attachments such as fear, selfishness, and the pursuit of comfort. We need to do well in everything and in every single thought. We need to eliminate all the degenerated notions that have deviated from the universe's characteristics. Only by rectifying every single thought and action can we see the boundless power of the Dafa. In this way, we can do better in saving sentient beings.

In April 2007, I took more than 100 copies of truth-clarification materials from the material production site. On the way back, I saw a group of plainclothes police on patrol. I decided to distribute the materials nearby rather than hurry home. I sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate all elements of the evil party, demons, and dark minions so that they did not interfere with saving sentient beings. I also sent forth righteous thoughts for them to continue forward without looking back. As a result, they all walked straight forward and nobody looked backwards. Thus, I distributed all the materials without incident and returned home peacefully. Were it not for Teacher's help, I would have been in trouble. I was very thankful to Teacher.

• Immediately end the persecution

Finally I would like to share my understanding about ending the persecution. This persecution is unlawful, and it was enforced by the old forces, not arranged by Teacher. Teacher did not acknowledge the persecution and it should have ended rather than lasting for eight years. However, some practitioners did not understand the Fa well and have been trapped by human notions. Some practitioners even think that only Teacher can end the persecution, and there is nothing we can do. It will end whenever Teacher wants to end it. Because of these thoughts, the persecution has lasted a long time, and many practitioners have been severely tortured. Meanwhile, many Chinese people and even people worldwide have been poisoned by the CCP's lies. The evil is really sinister.

Through continual Fa-study and self-improvement, we have become much better and more mature. With so many people choosing to quit the CCP and/or its affiliated organizations, the root of the CCP has been pulled out and the Party is on the verge of collapse. We should all send forth strong righteous thoughts to completely eliminate all evil elements that interfere with the Fa-rectification and end the persecution immediately.

With limited Fa-study, I have many shortcomings. There is a big gap between me and Teacher's requirements. I will do better in the future. Please point out anything inappropriate.