(Clearwisdom.net) Although I've practiced Falun Dafa for many years, I still haven't established a good home environment. Every time I read Minghui/Clearwisdom articles that discussed passing family tribulations well, or about a whole family of practitioners, I really admired those practitioners. However, my family didn't practice Dafa cultivation, so I followed Teacher to save my family.
I tried to clarify the truth to my husband, but he pushed back each time with sarcasm or rude words. Once he said, “If you don't want to cultivate anymore, just say it. I've already saved your reputation several times. I've given you an inch, but you want a foot.” Before I started practicing Falun Dafa, I really cared about my reputation and couldn't bear it when others criticized me. I was a strong-willed woman. Now I understand that a practitioner shouldn't fight back when punched or insulted. So on the surface, I didn't argue with him, yet I still had the fear of being criticized. The pain of passing family tribulations was extreme for me. When I saw my husband's situation, I was very anxious. He is my family and I must save him.
Break Through the Family Tribulations
Dafa gave me a second life. Our families witnessed this miracle, but they were also afraid of the evil Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On the one hand, they were afraid that I might stop cultivating Dafa, but they were also afraid if I did practice. They told me to cultivate the Fa well at home, but didn't allow me to go out. I was deeply moved by this. For a long time, I didn't righteously save sentient beings and was afraid to clarify the facts about Falun Gong to my husband's friends and colleagues. I was afraid of making him angry. Whenever I didn't do well at home, he used Dafa's standard to evaluate me. I couldn’t say a word, but I was deeply hurt. It seemed like I'd cultivated myself for him and did whatever he told me to do. I had to satisfy him. The evil forces took advantage of my human notion, and I tried to hide while sending righteous thoughts and practicing the exercises. In this situation, how could I have a calm mind and send powerful energy to eliminate the evil forces? When I saw all the practitioners actively saving sentient beings, I became even more anxious. I wanted to study the Falun Gong teachings more in order to save myself. I then developed the attachment of pursuit to study the Fa, and couldn't let go of my human notions and attachments. I would never improve myself as long as I didn't change my notions. I told myself that I couldn't be like this anymore.
One day, I took the day off at home. My children went out to travel and my husband went to work. I studied the Fa and sent righteous thoughts at home. Usually, I cleaned the home and finished all the housework before I started studying. I thought differently this time. I was a Fa-rectification period Dafa practitioner. I shouldn't be interfered with by these notions. If I couldn't break through family tribulations, then my husband wouldn't be saved. If I listened to what non-practitioners said and didn't follow Teacher's Fa, then I was being controlled by the old forces. That was very frightening. I must walk the path that Teacher arranged for me and look inward. I needed to eliminate my attachment to reputation and completely let go of my arrogance. I wanted true harmony, not just on the surface. Usually, I couldn't take criticism from my husband, not to mention his scolding and beatings. I told myself that I should let go, but it didn't work before. This time, I needed to completely let go my attachment. I made up my mind that I wouldn't care about the consequences when my husband came home. I wanted him to see me practicing the exercises and sending righteous thoughts openly. After I sent forth righteous thoughts, my body was immediately strengthened. I calmed my mind and started to study the Fa and send righteous thoughts.
At noon, I finished cooking and started to send righteous thoughts. My husband returned home from work and saw me. He smiled, “What are you doing?” My heart paused for a moment, but I continued to send righteous thoughts. He looked at me, but didn't say anything. Then he sat on the couch. After I finished, I prepared myself for his sarcasm. However, he just smiled, “You're finished practicing. Let's have lunch.” I started to eat, but I cried in my heart; I didn't want to say a word. My husband just looked at me without talking. I couldn't describe my feelings, but in my heart, I clearly understood more about the divine nature and magnificence of cultivation practice. During our experience sharing, we all often talked about looking inward, letting go of human notions and sensations, and breaking through the barriers. However, we always complained about others and focused on others' mistakes, instead of rectifying ourselves. I still had some notions from the CCP culture and wanted to change others instead of myself. Deep in my heart, I didn't truly believe in Teacher and the Fa. I didn't truly believe in the mighty power of Dafa and the divine power that Teacher bestowed on us. Each attachment is a barrier which prevents us from improving ourselves. It is really like peeling an onion, layer by layer. We must eliminate all the attachments and omissions during our cultivation.
The world's people are the sentient beings we need to save. How can we save them if we don't cultivate well?
Teacher said,
“We’d say that a good or bad outcome comes from one thought.” (Zhuan Falun)
This is really true. Later that day, I shared my feelings with my husband. He said, “I've never said that Dafa wasn't good. I was just worried about your safety. If you don't explain clearly what you're doing, how can I protect you?” This was a correct statement. How can I behave righteously in front of non-practitioners if I can't be frank with my own family? Clarifying the truth is a divine and magnificent action. Dafa gives us the opportunity to achieve this. Since that time, I've studied the Fa with righteous thoughts, practiced the exercises, sent righteous thoughts at home, and attended the group Fa-study. My daughter frequently reminds me to remember to send righteous thoughts. My husband has encouraged me to get up early in the morning to do the exercises.
Clarify the Truth and Save Sentient Beings
I work at a hospital. At work, I follow the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance strictly so that I can represent Dafa practitioners well. In the office, my colleagues and patients are all people that I need to save. Many patients understood the truth and recited “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,” leaving the hospital in good spirits. Some people suffered from incurable diseases. They understood the truth and were rewarded by having their illnesses eliminated. Some even started to practice Falun Dafa and joined us in helping to save sentient beings. My colleagues in the office also knew the truth. They changed from being sarcastic to understanding. They also changed by caring less about personal gains at work. I was very happy in this peaceful environment. It really is: “The Buddha-light illuminates everywhere and rectifies all abnormalities.” (Zhuan Falun)
I was transferred to another department in 2008. I knew that I needed to create a new environment there. I continually reminded myself that I was a practitioner and that I needed to demonstrate the good image of Dafa practitioner. By cultivating myself, I truly experienced that Dafa gave me more wisdom and allowed me to learn new technologies faster than any other middle-aged person. My colleagues and managers all praised my intelligence.
Before I started practicing Falun Dafa, I underwent a CT brain scan. I was told that my brain would age quickly. After I started Dafa cultivation practice, I didn't take medications or undergo other medical treatments. Yet, I became smarter than everyone around me. Non-practitioners witnessed the magnificence of Dafa. I took the opportunity to clarify the truth to them. In the beginning, they laughed at me and threw away the truth-clarification materials. Gradually, they sincerely listened to the truth and actually rushed to view the truth clarification information. Prior to my sharing with them, they didn't want to do more work. Later, they all tried to do as much work as possible. Because my colleagues accepted the truth, the whole office underwent dramatic changes. Most everyone said, “It is so great that you came. You brought happiness and harmony to our office.” I smiled, “It is Dafa's power. It is the miracle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” Before, my colleagues frequently caught colds. I told them to recite “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” They were doubtful at first, but gradually, they naturally thought of Dafa whenever they encountered difficulties. A young man said, “I used to take a few bottles of medicine yearly; this year, I took only one bottle. It's a miracle.” In my spare time, I taught my colleagues how to practice the exercises. Everything became natural and peaceful.
I didn't miss any opportunity to clarify the truth to all of my patients. During the Fa-rectification period, there are no accidental meetings. Besides clarifying the truth to my colleagues, I also actively communicated with and clarified the truth to hospital employees who ran the shops or monitored the cars. Once, an elderly woman who monitored the cars grabbed my hands and said, “Please find a good doctor for me as soon as possible. I feel like I'm going to die. I've had bowel movements seven to eight times every day with pus and blood. I can't sleep at night and I've become very thin. I went to all the big hospitals for treatment but there is no good way to treat my illness. Please help me to figure out a way!” I smiled, “I really have a good way to help you.”
After I clarified the truth to her, her eyes were wide open, as if she'd met her savior. She invited me to a room to talk. I explained that the Tiananmen Square “Self-Immolation” event was fake. She listened quietly. It looked like she'd waited for a very long time for this day to hear the truth. She agreed to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations and sincerely recited “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”
After a few days, we met again and she grabbed my hands, “It's really a miracle. Right now, I only have bowel movements once every day. I sleep soundly and my body feels lighter. My whole family is very happy. You should've told me (about the truth of Falun Gong) earlier. I want to practice Falun Gong. I want my whole family to practice Falun Gong.” I could not help but burst into tears. What practitioners said is truly right. It is not that the sentient beings don't want to be saved; it is us who haven't done well. There are so many sentient beings waiting for us to save them, but we still have a lot of concerns and we still selectively clarify the truth.
Both on my way to work and when returning home, I clarify the truth to the salespersons in the shops and the peddlers. In the morning, I go out to clarify the truth to the farmers who sell the vegetables. Some people have laughed at me, but most of them thank me. In the process of doing the three things well, I constantly improve myself and eliminate my attachments. I've become mature during the cultivation process.
