(Minghui.org) I was an only child born in the 80s. Growing up, I believed that, as long as I worked hard, maintained good relationships, cared for those weaker than me, and displayed an upright sense of justice and compassion, I would be considered a good person. In my heart, I believed that, as long as I worked hard at being an ideal person, I would be acknowledged and achieve success.
Struck by Sudden Illness
At the age of 20, just as I was starting my junior year in college, I contracted a strange disease that caused my face to swell and become numb. These symptoms gradually spread to the rest of my body, and I began having difficulty walking. The abnormal swelling also distorted my facial features and weighed my head down.
I suffered from nausea and nightly headaches that I sometimes attempted to relieve by banging my head against the wall. My body easily succumbed to aches and pains when it was chilly, and I even took to wearing hats and masks at home.
Over the next seven years, I shuttled in and out of various hospitals, pinning my hopes on each doctor I visited. I met with disappointment each time. I took large quantities of Western and Chinese medicine every day and even went for acupuncture treatments.
All my efforts were useless; the intervals between my sudden nerve pain and muscle spasms became shorter and shorter. To relieve the pain, I resorted to bringing a thermos of hot water to my classes and splashed hot water on my face and head whenever the pain worsened.
Two-and-a-half years later, I was finally diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. By that time, my nerve cells were so damaged that a full recovery was impossible. But as long as my condition did not deteriorate, I was content. I continued to go for treatment daily or every other day.
I learned a lot from this painful experience. I saw that doctors were powerless and medicine was ineffective. I also encountered discrimination from strangers and fellow students, and knew I was responsible for my family’s financial difficulties.
I silently asked God over and over, “Is there no reward for being a good person? I have worked hard; why am I still made to undergo this suffering? How can I become a better person?” I visited many temples and studied a lot of religious books, but remained unconvinced by their teachings.
Obtaining Dafa and a New Lease on Life
In 2010, I broke through the national Internet firewall and downloaded a set of books that were banned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). One of them was a copy of Zhuan Falun, and my interest was immediately piqued. I had been exploring websites censored by the Great Firewall since 2006, so I had some basic understanding of the truth behind the CCP's persecution of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong).
This understanding led me to wonder how Falun Dafa disciples could endure such hardships without seeking redress or compensation? What was the secret behind their unwavering belief? These questions prompted me to start reading Zhuan Falun. After I read the first paragraph of Lunyu, I was stunned, as if an electric current was coursing through my entire body. I also felt an indescribable sense of excitement and knew that I held a precious book from Heaven.
I eagerly devoured this treasured book. By the second chapter, I was entirely convinced that Falun Dafa was what I had been looking for. I finally understood what it meant to be a truly good person and how to achieve my goal of becoming one.
It says in Zhuan Falun:
“For anybody here, only if you can follow the universe’s nature, to be True, Good, and Endure, only then you can call yourself a good person. And a person who goes against this nature, now that’s somebody who’s truly bad.”
Judging by this criteria, I could not be considered a good person. I did things for the sake of obtaining fame and fortune. When others bullied me, I harbored grudges against them. These were not the actions of a good person, but of a materialistic one trying to keep up the appearance of being good.
I finally came to the understanding that the suffering I endured was an opportunity to eliminate my karma. By having committed so many bad deeds over my previous lifetimes, I had to repay my sins in order to return to my origin. With this understanding, I let go of the long term resentment and grudges I had been harboring. My heart was filled with a joy I had never known.
Each time I read a section of the book, I fell into a deep, relaxing sleep. I finished reading Zhuan Falun cover to cover within a few days and decided to slowly re-read the entire book. After a week of reading, I realized I had forgotten to go to the hospital for my regular treatment.
Within a week, without realizing it, I discovered my incurable disease was gone. I was able to eat ice cream and cold fruit, and short skirts and pants slowly made their way back into my wardrobe.
I also experienced all the physical changes Master Li described in Zhuan Falun: the rotation of Falun in my body, guanding, elimination of karma, and so on.
When I first started doing the exercises, it felt as if my hands were moving of their own accord. Electric charges would emit from my hands, resulting in miniature electric currents whenever I used my key to unlock the door. While doing the sitting meditation, I was able to sit in the double lotus position for more than an hour, although I leaned backwards at a 45-degree angle without realizing it.
Whenever I settled down to meditate or study the Fa, a cool current of energy would permeate my face, head, and the left side of my body. I knew compassionate Master was cleansing my body.
Over and over, I have joyfully, tearfully, and reverently thanked Master for saving my life. Now I am the picture of health, with smooth, delicate skin; normal facial features; and a pleasant demeanor. Although I am already in my early 30s, I look much younger.
Becoming a Truly Good Person by Adhering to the Principles of Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance
Before practicing Falun Dafa, I was motivated to do good deeds in order to gain a good reputation and material benefits. However, Dafa taught me that a truly good person does good deeds out of compassion, without desiring acknowledgement.
Starting with the most minor situations, I began applying the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to my everyday life. For example, whenever I encountered glass fragments in my path, I did not think twice about moving them safely aside to prevent other passersby from getting hurt. Whenever the dishwashing detergent in the pantry at work ran out, I went out during my lunch break to buy more. As time progressed, I found myself happier and my heart lighter.
I also previously had the notion that being kind was a weakness that could easily be exploited. After learning Dafa, I came to realize that kindness was a powerful tool that could correct all conflicts and misunderstandings.
For example, I was assigned to work with an American company on a project that lasted more than six months. Our American partners had little faith in our company's integrity and wanted to impose harsh terms in the contract. The project hit an impasse. My boss instructed me to deal with the American company more firmly or our company's interests would suffer.
I realized that, as a Dafa practitioner, the principles of the Fa should be applied to resolve this conflict. So I let go of my hostility and distrust and approached the other party with honesty and warmth. I highlighted my company's concerns and offered to make some compromises, which would result in an acceptable situation for both sides.
Our American partners were very understanding and willing to listen. As a result, the joint project was quickly and easily completed. Towards the end of our collaboration, I received a handmade gift from my American partner, with the words, “I trust you” inscribed on it. I was deeply moved!
It is widely known in the international community that people from China cannot be trusted. But within six months, I was able to convince our American partners to overcome their mistrust of us. This proves that the CCP’s warped ideological education has produced a new generation of Chinese people who have lost their kindness and sense of right and wrong.
It is my wish for the people of China to regain their compassion and morality, clearly recognize the evil CCP for what it truly is, and make an effort to understand the truth behind the cruel persecution of Falun Dafa.
Category: Health Benefits
