(Minghui.org) I have gone through ups and downs on my cultivation path since I started practicing Falun Dafa in 2008, but I have no regrets. I know the hardships that I’ve encountered are opportunities for me to improve my cultivation and help me let go of my attachments and dissolve my karma. I don’t feel sad. I understand that Master always gives practitioners the best and is looking after us. I always maintain righteous thoughts and walk fearlessly on my cultivation path. I’d like to share some of my experiences with you.
Lesson Learned
I benefited a lot both physically and mentally after I started to practice Falun Dafa. I experienced its wonderfulness and wanted to tell my friends and relatives how great Falun Dafa is. But it was not as simple as I thought.
Chinese people were misled by the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party) lies over the decades, so most Chinese are afraid of the CCP tyranny and the situation is complicated. What should I do?
With the help of fellow practitioners, I started to make truth-clarification materials. Even when I was busy, I always wanted to do more to save people. I equated how much I did with how diligent I was in cultivation. Reading the Fa became a formality. I usually listened to Master’s lectures while I was working. I even listened to the Fa when I walked. It looked like I was very diligent in cultivation. Other practitioners also thought I was diligent. I was proud of myself because I was catching up with the veteran practitioners quickly.
I didn’t understand the real meaning of solid cultivation and I didn’t cultivate my xinxing. I was busy doing the three things every day, but how was my cultivation? The old forces actually had already singled me and three other practitioners out. The four of us were arrested and sentenced to prison. The loss was huge and this was a big lesson.
We were arrested when we were putting up posters about Falun Dafa. When the police asked me what my name was. I told them that my name was Falun Dafa disciple. They asked me my name again. I said proudly: “My name is Falun Dafa disciple!” It looked like they were amused. They had me sit down in a chair. I immediately put up my palm and sent forth righteous thoughts. They still seemed to be amused. They sat down as well and tried to cross their legs. I then clarified the truth to them about the persecution. They listened attentively and kept saying good. I thought they were good people because they listened to the truth. They asked me to sign on some statements, so I signed. They took advantage of my kindness and eventually sentenced me to seven years in prison. This was a hard lesson for me.
Cultivating Wherever I am
While I was incarcerated in the detention center and the prison, I thought to myself that I shouldn’t be there in vain. I regarded the harsh environment as being beneficial for my cultivation. I could cultivate wherever I was and I could do the three things. I required of myself to strictly behave according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I was able to teach some inmates poems from Hong Yin and they recited “On Dafa” with me. I also taught them some songs composed by Falun Dafa practitioners.
One inmate had a stroke and couldn’t walk. Whenever she needed to go anywhere, she had to be supported by two inmates. She was illiterate, but I taught her the poems from Hong Yin. She was very attentive and had good enlightenment quality. Within two months she was able to walk by herself and take care of herself. This caused a big stir in the prison. More than 200 people witnessed this miracle. The guards were amazed. They had to admit what a miraculous practice Falun Dafa is. One guard put her thumb up to praise Falun Dafa. I thanked Master in my heart.
Many inmates suffered from various illnesses. They wanted to contact me. Of course I used every opportunity to clarify the truth and save them.
My Cultivation Path Becomes Wider
Seven years later when I was released, I faced new problems. While I was imprisoned, my family members were persecuted as well. My parents in their eighties and my middle-aged children faced huge pressure from officials, other relatives and neighbors. We cultivators face the pressure knowingly while everyday people face the pressures passively. The feelings are different. I could understand how they felt during these years of hardship, but they couldn’t understand me. They felt practitioners were odd and thought we were doing things against the CCP. This was caused by the CCP’s lies. They directed their resentment at me. I felt sad.
One day my neighborhood administrative office phoned me and asked me to go to the office. When I arrived, six people were there waiting for me to sign some hand-written statements of renouncing Falun Gong. I was not moved and calmly watched them. One made tea for me. Another one chatted with me warmly. Yet another one said that they would help me if I had any difficulty. Still another one talked rudely. They tried to coerce me to sign on the statements.
I calmly said, “Don’t you know I have been in prison? Why did you call me here?” I was very firm. They were stunned. I continued, “Do you know they used every means and tried to get me to sign in the prison? They didn’t let me eat, sleep or go to the toilet. They tortured me with electric batons, handcuffs and shackles. They told the inmates to beat me, insult me and coerce me to sign. Even so, I did not sign.” I stepped out as soon as I finished speaking.
One day a police officer came to see me. I invited him into my home and said, “I was imprisoned because I told people that Falun Dafa is good. Don’t you think I was wronged?” He nodded. I said, “We practitioners have no interest in the CCP’s power. Heaven will judge whether the Party is good or bad. Our Master knows that there will be catastrophes for human beings and asks us to save as many people as possible. Since you’ve come here today, I would like to tell you that Falun Dafa is good and Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good. As long as you recite the two phrases sincerely, you will be blessed and stay safe. I hope you and your family members will survive the disasters.”
He kept saying okay and thanked me. I also said, “Since you are the police officer who is in charge of our residential area, you have the responsibility to protect me and to ensure that I will not be harassed. Isn’t that right?” He kept saying yes. He did not harass me afterwards.
I told my family how the officers in the neighborhood administrative office reacted, how the police officer acted and what my attitude was. I wanted to awaken their righteous thoughts. They were very touched after they listened to me. The resentment and pressure built up over many years seemed to dissolve. I said, “The CCP framed our Master. They said that our Master was a swindler and told us to set ourselves on fire or commit suicide. Do you think I should sign such statements?” All of them said no and that I would be lying if I did. They were gradually awakening. I felt relieved. I then said, “Look at my health now. I feel healthier than when I was in my twenties.” They agreed and it seemed that they understood what Falun Dafa was.
As they gradually learned the facts about Falun Dafa, five of my relatives asked me to show them how to practice. To my surprise, my father, who is in his 90s, learned wholeheartedly and seriously. He had good enlightenment quality. He studies the Fa and does the exercises every day. One month after he started practicing, he no longer needed his crutch. He now walks briskly. He felt he was so lucky because he was able to practice. When he was asked to have a medical examination, he insisted that he didn’t need it because he didn’t have any illness. This is the power of Falun Dafa and Master! He told his relatives and friends proudly: “I practice Falun Dafa. I feel very good. Whoever learns it benefits.”
Now my cultivation environment is improved. It must be that I have done the right thing and my cultivation path has become wider. Thank you Master!
Studying the Fa Well and Experiencing the Joy of Solid Cultivation
I recently began seeing my shortcomings and gaps in cultivation. I spent more time reading the Fa. I recited, hand copied, and read the Fa. I looked within whenever I came across conflicts or felt unhappy. I searched my every thought and every notion to identify the problem. Sometimes I found many of my attachments. I then sent forth righteous thoughts to eradicate them and asked Master to strengthen me. I could let go of the attachments within one or two days.
For example, my mother was bossy and self-centered. I always rebelled against her and even resented her. This has gone on for decades. I knew it was not right and wanted to change myself and accept her. I should be tolerant, but I felt uncomfortable in my mind. I looked within again and again. Finally I realized that I had the same issue as she had. I was self-centered and competitive. I also found that I was not compassionate. I was narrow-minded, arrogant and did things in an extreme way. I never admitted my mistake. These attachments alarmed me. I was ashamed of myself. I realized that my mother’s behavior was a reminder of my own attachments.
I made an effort to let go of my attachments, and my xinxing improved. I experienced the joy of solid cultivation. What Master gives me is always the best. I will cherish every day that is remaining and assimilate myself to the Fa. I will try my best to assist Master in saving sentient beings.
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Category: Improving Oneself
