Falun Dafa Practitioners in Toronto Wish Master Li a Happy New Year

(Minghui.org) As Chinese New Year approaches, Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto, Canada, gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to wish Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, a happy Chinese New Year. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Master Li for guiding them in self-improvement through the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and said the teachings inspired them to become selfless, kind, and patient. Several practitioners shared how the practice has strengthened them and helped them overcome life’s challenges.

Falun Dafa practitioners in Toronto, Canada, wished Master Li Hongzhi a happy Chinese New Year on January 25, 2025, at Nathan Phillips Square.

Grateful to Master for Helping Me Overcome Depression

Anca expressed her gratitude to Master for helping her overcome depression and become optimistic and cheerful.

Anca, an engineer from Romania, had difficulty finding a job after moving to Canada. After taking various technical courses, she eventually found a job, but the workplace bullying and immense pressure became unbearable. She felt exhausted and lost, and eventually developed depression and anxiety.

Even with medical treatment, Anca’s depression worsened, leaving her bedridden at times. She asked her elderly father if her depression could ever be cured. He said that true healing comes from within. At that moment, Anca realized she needed to seek a solution for her mind and spirit.

In 2005, Anca received a Falun Dafa flyer while passing by the Chinese Consulate. She read it and was excited that Falun Dafa could benefit both body and mind. She immediately searched online for more information. After reading stories of practitioners regaining their health through cultivation, she decided to learn the practice.

Anca called the phone number on the flyer and found a practice site. On her first visit, she met several elderly people who didn’t speak English but patiently taught her the exercises. The next day, an elderly woman invited Anca to her home.

Anca recalls, “She gave me an English copy of Zhuan Falun. Her daughter told me it was Falun Dafa’s main book and was a gift. I was deeply touched by their kindness. In today’s society, it’s rare for someone to open their heart and invite a stranger into their home.”

Anca reads the teachings and does the exercises every day. She said, “Zhuan Falun helped me understand the truth about life and the universe. I feel my life is more meaningful now. I’ve learned how to become a better person. I became positive and calm. My relationship with my husband improved and when he saw my positive changes, he encouraged me to keep practicing.”

Anca was no longer resentful and pessimistic—instead she became balanced and cheerful. “In the past, I complained and became resentful whenever things didn’t go my way,” she shared. “Now, I understand that suffering and hardships have their reasons. Master teaches us that nothing happens by chance. Everything results from cause and effect. If I endure hardships, it’s because I made mistakes in the past and created karma. The amazing thing is when I handle situations with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I no longer feel trapped in difficulties and setbacks. Again and again, I’ve overcome challenges and I have an optimistic mindset.”

Grateful to Master for Inspiring My Writing

Madalina wishes Master happy New Year.

Anca’s daughter, Madalina, is a writer and editor. She was surprised when she first heard that her mother was practicing a spiritual discipline from China. Her mother had never shown any interest in Eastern culture before. Madalina said, “This practice was completely different from anything I encountered in the West. It took me some time to understand what my mother was doing. When she read Zhuan Falun, she talked about the principles she was learning with me. I became curious, so I started looking it up online.”

As she learned more, Madalina realized that Falun Gong emphasizes moral character and self-improvement. However, she hesitated to start practicing herself. She explained, “I felt that Falun Dafa wasn’t an ordinary practice. I needed to take it seriously.”

One day, when she felt deeply frustrated and unsure about her life, her mother handed her a copy of Zhuan Falun. Madalina said, “I finally decided to read the book. As soon as I opened it, I felt a powerful energy flow through me, and I immediately understood that Master had been watching over me all along.”

She continued, “I always wanted to raise my moral character in a chaotic world because I knew the material world couldn’t touch the essence of life. In Zhuan Falun, I finally found the key to fulfilling that wish. The book’s simple and clear language reveals profound truths about the universe.”

To her surprise, as Madalina elevated her spiritual realm, her writing improved as well. A perfectionist by nature, she often struggled to write. She would rack her brain for ideas, only to feel stuck. Her focus on details left her constantly tense and anxious. After beginning her practice, she realized that writing didn’t have to be forced. Instead, she should relax and let inspiration flow naturally.

“When I stopped obsessing over results and focused on improving myself, I became more composed and open-minded. As a result, I quickly wrote one great piece after another.”

Grateful to Master

Masih wishes Master happy New Year

Masih, an engineer from Iran now working in Toronto, has always been curious about the spiritual world. He explored various religions and spiritual practices in search of answers to life’s ultimate questions and ways to improve his health. However, none provided the clarity or benefits he sought, leaving him disappointed.

In 2016, Masih’s sister recommended he read Zhuan Falun. At the time, he was busy with work and preparing to move to Germany, so he didn’t give it much thought. In 2017, his sister suggested it again. This time, he agreed.

While reading the book, Masih discovered that Zhuan Falun answered his questions about the universe and life clearly and comprehensively. The night he finished the book, he said, “I wish to practice Falun Dafa.” The moment he had this thought, he felt a surge of energy flow through his body. Overwhelmed with joy, he was moved to tears. From then on, he started cultivation.

Masih’s personality underwent a profound transformation after he began practicing, “Before, I was impatient and self-centered. If things didn’t go my way, I lost my temper and become intolerant. After cultivating, I started following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, treating others with kindness. Understanding that true kindness comes from being selfless, I was able to calm down. Now, even when under pressure or when I’m busy, I can maintain inner peace.”

Masih has enjoyed good health since he began practicing seven years ago and said, “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, I stayed healthy and wasn’t infected.”

Masih said that he attained his current state of mind through many tests. While living in Germany, he struggled with the language barrier and was eager to move to an English-speaking country. Coincidentally, a Canadian company offered him a job. However, his first application for a Canadian work visa was rejected after he’d waited for more than a year, “That long wait only led to a painful denial. I was deeply attached to the outcome, and was tormented by my pursuit and attachment.”

After submitting his second application, Masih had a dream. In the dream, he was about to board a bus but didn’t have his ID, so the driver wouldn’t let him on. Soon, another bus arrived, and the driver kindly allowed him to board. Masih realized Master was giving him a hint: even if this attempt failed, he may succeed the next time.

He said, “In the past, I wanted to control my life and wished for everything to go my way. When I lost that control, I felt lost and empty. But when I realized that life has its destined course, I let go of my attachments.” Despite his second visa application being denied, Masih was not disheartened. With a calm and relaxed mindset, he submitted a third application.

Not long after, a Chinese student visited Masih’s neighbor. When Masih met the student, he told her he practiced Falun Dafa. The student initially believed the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda against Falun Dafa. Masih shared his personal experiences of cultivating Falun Dafa and exposed the flaws in the staged “Tiananmen Self-Immolation” incident, explaining how it was a staged event by the CCP to defame Falun Gong. The student was convinced, and said that Masih’s reasoning was logical and well-founded.

A few days later, Masih’s Canadian visa was approved, and he moved from Germany to Canada.

Masih said he realized that the first two rejections helped him overcome his impatience and facilitated his encounter with the Chinese student to help her learn the truth about Falun Dafa. He said, “Every setback in life has a deeper meaning. Master always looks after me, revealing outcomes in advance to ease my anxiety and teach me patience. I am blessed and feel incredibly fortunate.”

As the New Year approaches, Masih said, “My gratitude to Master is beyond words. The only way to repay Master is to continue practicing diligently and meet Master’s expectations. No matter what tests come my way in the future, I will follow Master to the end.”