(Clearwisdom.net)
Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
I wanted to write an experience sharing article before, but didn't know what to write about since I felt there was nothing spectacular about my cultivation practice and I hadn't done anything major in truth-clarification. The things I have done have all been trivial, so I felt I lagged behind other practitioners. However, after reading all of the good articles submitted to the eighth Internet experience sharing conference, I felt worried and didn't want to be left behind. Therefore, I also “picked up the pen” and decided to report to Teacher and share with practitioners my cultivation practice over the last dozen years.
My Body Felt Light, Without Any Illnesses
I began to practice Falun Gong in July 1996. Before that, I used to suffer from a serious health problem that I would spend six months in the hospital sometimes. It was very hard for me to walk because of the illness that was contracted during the one month of postpartum care. (In Chinese culture, women are confined at home for a month after delivery). Chinese people believe that illnesses contracted during that month are almost incurable. At that time, I was unable to sleep or eat, so I had no strength. Eventually, I did not even have the strength to walk. My husband took me to various places around the country to try to search for a cure, but to no avail. My health worsened and I had severe pain. I had the thought of ending my life, but I couldn't leave behind my two kids and my grandmother who was over 70 years old. They needed my care, but I was unable to do anything, so I became very bitter and could only shed tears in secret.
On July 26, 1996, a friend of mine told me that she was practicing Falun Gong and how good the Falun Gong exercises were. The next day, I went with her to a practitioner's home to listen to “Teaching the Fa in Guangzhou”. Instantly, I liked the practice as it cheered me up. Teacher said, “I have stated that one’s gong level is as high as one’s xinxing level.” (Zhuan Falun)
The sentence was engraved in my mind that very first day. I knew it was not an ordinary practice, so I was determined to continue and knew there was hope for me. Since then, I have been doing the exercises every morning. A month later, my health dramatically improved and it continued to get better with each passing day. My mind and body felt lighter, and I was able to do all the chores around the house again. Every day, I felt happy and experienced the state of lightness all over my body without any illnesses. I was grateful to Teacher who had saved me by scooping me out of hell and purifying my body and mind. Teacher gave me a second chance in life. I can only repay Teacher's compassionate salvation with my own actions.
I Will Cultivate Dafa to the End
Since the persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999, the party secretary at my husband's workplace exerted a lot of pressure on him. They told him that he needed to closely monitor me because I was a “key figure” and had planned to go to Beijing to appeal on behalf of Falun Gong. When my husband returned home one day, he treated me viciously. He slapped my face and grabbed my neck, asking if I would continue to practice Falun Gong. He said if I still wanted to practice Falun Gong, he would strangle me to death. I told him I would continue to practice even if he wanted to kill me and that there was nothing wrong in going to Beijing to appeal or practicing Falun Gong. I reminded him of how my illnesses disappeared after I began practicing. I said to him, “You witnessed all the positive changes, right? If it hadn't been for Falun Gong, I might have died a long time ago. Then, who would take care of the family? Would you still have a family? How come you are so heartless?” Upon hearing these words, he let go of me. He then grabbed a copy of Zhuan Falun and tried to tear it into pieces. I hurriedly snatched the book away and said in tears, “If you don't let me practice Falun Gong or tear up Dafa books, you are committing a sin. What has been said in the TV programs are all lies. Don't believe them. Falun Dafa teaches people to be good and to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. There is nothing wrong with that.” His anger finally died down. He said he had lost control, but he really admired me.
Clarifying the Truth to Save People Urgently
Time is ticking and we must seize the time to save more people. Teacher said,
As Dafa disciples clarify the truth
Sharp swords shoot forth from their mouths
Tearing open the rotten demons’ lies
Lose no time and save them,
hurry up and tell them
(“Hurry Up And Tell Them” from Hong Yin Volume II)
I still remember how scared I felt when I went out to clarify the truth for the first time. After putting up posters, my hands were trembling and my heart was beating so fast. I wasn't as scared the second time I went out. Afterwards, it felt very natural for me to go out to distribute fliers or DVDs. I even went out during the day to put up posters, distribute Shen Yun performance DVDs and other truth materials nobly without fear.
Previously, there wasn't a material processing site in our area, so we needed to travel a long way to get them. I went to get the materials once a week. Sometimes, I would bring back Teacher's new articles and gave them to fellow practitioners immediately after I returned. Then, I went out happily to save people. Now, we have set up a materials site in our area, so it's very convenient to get truth-clarification materials. Telling people the truth face-to-face produced very good result. As a result, more people have quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations. When I go out every day, I would bring different kinds of truth-clarification materials. Whenever there is an opportunity, I would either hand out the materials or talk to people about doing the three withdrawals.
One day, two sales people came to our building, so I handed one of them a copy of the Shen Yun performance DVD. When the other saw it, he asked, “What is it? Can I have one too?” I also gave him a copy of the DVD. Both of them were very happy. I clarified the facts about the persecution of Falun Gong and helped them withdraw from the CCP and its affiliated organizations before leaving. Teacher said, “Everything has been prepared, and all that’s missing is for you to carry it out” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa”)
In August of last year, my husband's colleague came back from Japan. He and his wife invited us out for lunch. On our way to lunch, I clarified the truth to the wife and she withdrew from the CCP. At the time, her husband was busy talking to my husband and he left immediately after eating, so I didn't have any opportunity to talk to him. I felt very bad. They didn't come back to China often since they were in Japan. Teacher then arranged an opportunity for me. The next day at around 8:20 a.m., my husband's colleague called and said he was leaving at 8:30 a.m. At that time, I was doing the fifth meditation exercise. When I heard he was leaving at 8:30 a.m. and that I had ten minutes left, I quickly ran to the station and begged Teacher to let the train be late. I waved at him when I got to the station, so he got off the train. I clarified the truth to him and told him about withdrawing from the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The train departed as soon as he got on it. I felt very happy in seeing him off. I was almost in tears and was sincerely grateful for Teacher's compassionate care. It is Teacher saving sentient beings.
Reciting “Falun Dafa is Good” Brings Positive Benefits
On February 10, 2011, my in-law suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage and needed two operations in three days. My daughter-in-law knew the truth of Falun Gong and that Dafa can save people. She whispered in her father's ear, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good”. She continuously recited this and a miracle occurred. Her father got better and was able to talk. The doctor told them that other patients who also suffered from cerebral hemorrhage still died even though their conditions were less serious than my in-law. My in-law's recovery was really a miracle. All the family members said Dafa is truly wonderful. When my in-law was able to speak, he also recited, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” He said whoever sincerely recites would benefit. I reminded him that it was Dafa that saved his life and asked him to remember “Falun Dafa is good and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” He happily nodded in agreement.
My husband's third younger sister lives in Shandong Province. On February 8, 2008, she and her family went to visit some friends. On their way home, they got into a car accident and the car overturned into a deep ditch. However, all three of them were safe and didn't get hurt. They had to climb out of the window. Only when they got out of the wreckage did they see the deep ditch. They were really terrified. I had clarified the truth to them and they all had brought the amulets I gave them (In China, practitioners sometimes clarify the truth by giving people something small to wear or cherish, bearing a few words reminding them of the goodness of Dafa.). They also know Falun Dafa is good. They realized that it was Teacher who saved their life. They phoned me, “Falun Dafa is really wonderful. We are all grateful to Teacher for saving our life and we will always remember 'Falun Dafa is good and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!'”
My mother also learned the truth and knew Dafa was good. When she was seriously ill, I let her listen to Teacher's Fa lectures and she often recited “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!” As a result, when she passed away, she didn't suffer from any pain or hardship, and left peacefully. I had a dream after she passed away—I saw her in a very high place and she was young and happy. I knew she was in a good place and that she would have a bright future.
Now my husband supports me in practicing Falun Gong and doesn't interfere with me when I am reading the Fa. He often reminds me not to forget to send forth righteous thoughts.
My son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren have all learned the truth and support me. My 8-year-old granddaughter is also a practitioner. She is very diligent and is able to recite “Lun Yu” and some poems from Hong Yin. She helps me to distribute truth materials and post names of people who had withdrawn from the CCP onto the website.
Studying the Fa Well
Recently, I have read Teacher's new article, “Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa” many times and understood a lot of Fa principles. In the past, I could not study the Fa with a calm mind. Whenever I studied the Fa, everything surfaced in my mind, including the attachments of competitiveness, jealousy and resentment and the show-off mentality. I felt very uncomfortable after studying the Fa. Although I knew this state was not right, it still lasted all these years. On the surface, I studied the Fa a lot, but I wasn't able to do it with a calm mind. I was really worried about it. Teacher said,
“It thus amounts to wasting time. And not just wasting time—instead of it being the time when they are to be elevating, they are using their minds to think over issues and things that they shouldn’t concern themselves with, and thus, not only aren’t they elevating, but on the contrary, they are often dropping in level. If you don’t study the Fa well, there are many things you will not be able to do well.” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa”)
I realized that I was in a very dangerous state and Teacher was pointing it out to me. I am grateful to Teacher. Now I am able to study the Fa earnestly and with a calm mind. At group Fa study, we each read one paragraph and we all read slowly, so I can see and remember every word. We do not pursue quantity, but quality. The result is very good. Now I am able to read the Fa with a calm mind at home as well. As a result, my xinxing elevated very quickly and I do not feel sleepy when studying the Fa. I only sleep for three hours a day, but I am still full of energy. I must follow Teacher's teachings to study the Fa earnestly and not let it to become a mere formality
Upgrading Xinxing and Looking Inward
At one time, I was too attached to money. One day, I went to stay at my son's home for a few days. He and his wife said they had lost some money and asked if I had taken it. At the time, I felt really sad. How could I take their money? I told them, “I will only give you money. If I need any money, I will ask for it. How could I take your money?” Later, I thought I shouldn't be angry with them since I am a practitioner. I must look inward when problems arise. I thought of what Teacher said in Zhuan Falun:
“But normally when a problem arises, if it does not irritate a person psychologically, it does not count or is useless and cannot make him or her improve.”
By then, I didn't feel bad any more. I knew it was meant for me let go of the attachment to self-interest, specifically caring too much about money. Teacher said,
“If everyone is good to one another without conflicts of interests or interference from the human mind, how can your xinxing make progress by your only sitting there? That is impossible.” (Zhuan Falun)
I realized that they were actually helping me to improve my xinxing. Then, how can I be angry with them? Teacher said,
“As Dafa disciples, you mustn’t let up in your own cultivation. You need to seize the opportunity to cultivate yourselves. The more chaotic things are, the more so you can cultivate yourselves amidst the chaos; the more you encounter ordeals, or unpleasant things, the more it is an occasion for you to look at the problems in a different way and think to yourself, 'All of these are stepping stones by which to cultivate and improve.'” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa”)
I said to my son and his wife, “I am a practitioner. Our Teacher asks us to be a good person. I will not take the money even if you offer it to me. How could I take your money?” Later, they realized that they had made a mistake as the money was taken by other people. From the incident, I found that I had a strong attachment to self-interest and realized that it was meant for me to let go of this attachment. Therefore, I must thank them for helping me to get rid of the attachment to self-interest.
There are numerous experiences, many that are miraculous that I didn't share about. I only wrote whatever came to mind. This is my first time writing an experience sharing article. Since my level is limited, please kindly point out any shortcomings.
Heshi
