(Minghui.org) I worked as an accountant for almost 15 years at a state-run enterprise and went through two rounds of layoffs—once before I started practicing Falun Dafa and again after.
During the first layoff, I fought to keep my job at others' expense. Then, in a few short months, Dafa changed me. When the second round of layoffs hit, I was able to let things happen naturally and improve myself in the process.
Fighting to Keep My Job
To keep my job during the layoffs in 1994, I flattered and kissed up to my supervisors and used my connections. I not only kept my job, I even got a raise. My colleagues became more cautious around me and seemed more respectful—I was very pleased.
It didn't occur to me to care about how the senior accountant who got laid off might feel. It all seemed pretty fair to me—only the fittest would survive.
My responsibilities doubled after the layoffs. I was in charge of bookkeeping and cash transactions. I couldn't resist the temptation of money and abused my power for financial gain.
However, my health declined rapidly. I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B and suffered from anorexia, stomach problems, and gynecological diseases. My skin was dark and dull, and I often felt dizzy and nauseous. I was so weak that sometimes it was hard to even get up in the morning to go to work.
Falun Dafa Changed Me
Two years later a new regulation was put in place that required at least one accountant and one treasurer at each plant. A young girl named Lin was hired on as the new accountant.
Lin had just graduated from college and was kind and hardworking. Shortly after she started, she took on many responsibilities. I assigned her the most tedious tasks, but she was always happy and never complained. When she had free time, she cleaned the office without anyone telling her to do so.
Seeing how Lin was always so energetic, I wondered if she did some kind of exercise. One day, I asked her, “Lin, do you exercise in the morning?” She smiled, “I practice Falun Dafa.”
I asked her to show me, so she taught me the first exercise. Right away, I felt a difference. In fact, I had never felt that good before. With Lin's help, I started practicing Falun Dafa. It was May of 1998 and I was 40 years old.
I started reading Zhuan Falun, the main text of Falun Dafa, and was convinced by Dafa's principles. As I let the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance guide my actions and did the exercises diligently, my ailments disappeared before I realized it. I was full of energy, ate well, and slept well. It is so wonderful to be healthy.
Later I joined a group that did the exercises together and learned through talking with other practitioners that everybody had similar experiences. We just followed the principles of the Fa, did the exercises, and noticed dramatic changes in our bodies. We all cherished our renewed health because we knew how hard it was to come by—it is not something money can buy.
Master has said,
“Why can we give it to all of you unconditionally? It is because youwant to be cultivators. No sum of money can buy this heart. Only when your Buddha-nature has emerged do we do it this way.” (“The Issue of Pursuit” from Lecture Two of Zhuan Falun)
Following the Course of Nature
The second round of layoffs was announced a few months after I started practicing Falun Dafa. Lin and I were told that only one of us could stay.
Master has said,
“Nowadays, whether in state-run companies or in other enterprises in this country, interpersonal conflicts have become quite distinctive. In other countries and throughout history, this phenomenon has never occurred before. Thus, clashes over self-interest appear to be particularly intense. People play mind games and compete for a tiny bit of personal gain; the thoughts they have and the tricks they use are vicious. Even being a good person is difficult.” (“Transformation of Karma” from Lecture Four of Zhuan Falun)
It is so true. In other departments, people were fighting and scheming against one another to keep their jobs, just like I would have done before. But not this time, because now I was a Dafa practitioner.
Management thought it was strange that Lin and I were so calm. The supervisor asked me in private how I felt about the layoffs. I told him, “Both Lin and I are Falun Dafa practitioners. Master taught us to be good people and always consider others first. Please make your decision based on what the company needs.”
The supervisor said, “Really? How about you sleep on it and let me know what you think tomorrow.” When he came to me again a few days later, I said, “Thanks for trying to help. I was not joking last time. Don't worry about me, please.”
I got laid off a week later. My colleagues couldn't believe it. One of them asked me, “What's going on? Don't tell me you lost out to a newbie? You have so many connections and could have saved your job by just making a few phone calls.” Another colleague also thought it was strange.
I told them, “Both Lin and I are Falun Dafa practitioners. We will not fight for personal gain. I am not the person I used to be.” My colleagues looked confused.
Last Day of Work
I mentally prepared myself for the layoff. I knew there would be many tribulations and tests in cultivation and this was one of them. I felt very calm and thought to myself, “I will pass this test.”
However, on my last day, a strange feeling of loneliness, sense of loss, and humiliation overtook me. I didn't want to see or talk to anybody—I didn't want to see sympathy in my colleagues' eyes.
As I tried to sneak out during lunch time, a colleague stopped me in the hallway, “Aha! Are you just gonna leave like this? I feel bad for you.”
Just like what Master has said,
“... if it does not irritate you psychologically, it does not count or is useless and cannot make you improve.” (“Transformation of Karma” from Lecture Four of Zhuan Falun)
Her words crushed me. I tried to say something but couldn't even hear myself. “Let me help you with your bags. I'll walk you out.” “No, I’ve got it. Don't worry about me. I’m okay.” She could tell I was about to cry, so she stopped. I quickly left without even saying good bye.
As I walked out, I could not hold my tears back anymore. I had worked at this plant for almost 15 years and it had become such a big part of my life. It was sad to think that I wouldn't be coming back tomorrow.
Then it hit me, “Why am I crying? Isn't this just a test?” It was a test that I didn't expect—a test of emotional attachments. As a practitioner, I should take it lightly. I looked up in the sky and said, “Sorry, Master. I will do better.” As soon as I said that, I felt light, as if a big burden had been lifted from me. I went home as if nothing had happened.
A Happy Ending
A few months later, a manager from a different plant called and offered me a job as an accountant. He said the previous person falsified accounts and was fired. I gladly accepted.
Thinking back, I'm full of appreciation to Dafa and Master. Though I had only practiced Falun Dafa for a few short months before the second round of layoffs, the profound principles of the Fa had truly transformed me to a kind and considerate person. I believe it was a blessing from Dafa that I landed a new job so quickly.
