(Minghui.org) I heard about Falun Dafa in 2018. Since then, though my diligence has fluctuated—it feels like my life is deeply intertwined with Dafa. Let me start off by telling you about my mom.
Mom started dealing with a bunch of health issues as she hit middle age - back pain, arthritis, vertigo, you name it. She always felt under the weather and frequently caught colds. But the worst was her chronic insomnia, which left her worn-out and depressed. To top it all off, she was diagnosed with stage 2 degenerative knee disease, and it looked like she would have to undergo knee replacement surgery. Dad’s a great guy but has a quick temper, which just added to mom’s stress. She tried everything - Western medicines, traditional Chinese medicine, various qigong exercises, but nothing helped.
In 2018, she mentioned she found a flyer about Falun Dafa. She had no clue about how to actually start practicing. Around the same time, an old friend who had practiced Dafa for a while, explained what Falun Dafa is. Intrigued and eager to learn more, I asked him to share any Dafa materials he had. And just like that, mom and I started our cultivation journey.
When I first started reading Zhuan Falun the main book of Falun Dafa, I was hooked. Every word, every sentence Master wrote drew me in. I read for hours completely oblivious to the world around me. The teachings are so profound and vast—they were beyond anything I imagined. My mind was opened in ways I never thought possible, and I knew I’d found what I’d been searching for, no need to look any further.
With a solid belief in Dafa and Master, I’ve been on this path ever since. Practicing Falun Dafa helped me kick my drinking and smoking habits. All the negative thoughts and bad habits I accumulated over the years disappeared as I delved deeper into the teachings.
My family life improved as I started living by Dafa’s principles, always treating my wife and kids with kindness. Even my work got a boost because I took Master’s advice to heart - be a good person, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. I realized that as long as I followed Master’s guidance, everything just seemed to fall into place.
After my mom began practicing Falun Dafa, her health improved. The insomnia is almost gone and she no longer has knee problems. She no longer needs her medicines. She said that one night she felt like there were Falun spinning all over her while she was asleep. She could actually hear and feel them moving. She felt it was miraculous. She’s eternally grateful to Master for giving her a second shot at life. With a deep sense of joy and faith in Dafa and Master, she’s committed to staying diligent in her practice, doing the three things well, and living up to Master’s incredible compassion.
I’d like to tell you about my wife. I got into the habit of reading the Dafa texts out loud. It helps me focus, but I also wanted my wife and our two little boys to hear them. At first, my wife did not fully believe what Master taught, even though she could see that Dafa was good. As I read out loud, she’d go about her chores, half-listening. This went on for years. But without even realizing it, she reflected on the teachings.
Looking back, I knew that her way of thinking and acting has always been pretty much in line with Dafa’s standards. She just needed the right time to officially start practicing.
And then, that moment came, although it was incredibly painful. Her dad became seriously ill. The doctors diagnosed him with a bone marrow disorder, which eventually progressed to blood cancer. While he was getting blood transfusions, we’d take turns reading Zhuan Falun to him, hoping that the situation might turn around. At the very least, we wanted him to know Dafa is good, and Master’s teachings, if he were to pass away. We trusted that Master would arrange the best for him. My wife got up at 3 a.m. and prepared his medicine.
During this stressful time, she started practicing the exercises and decided to commit to the cultivation path. Her dad’s illness and his passing really woke her up. She understood the fleeting nature of life and the true purpose of our existence. When sickness strikes, all worldly desires mean nothing. It’s only through cultivation that we can find true peace within.
I’m thankful for Master and Dafa. Every time I think of Master, I feel like I’m on the verge of tears. I’ve still got a long way to go, and have plenty of flaws and attachments I need to work through, but I’m committed to practicing Falun Dafa. I hope Master will be waiting for me with a smile.
(Selected submission in celebration of World Falun Dafa Day on Minghui.org)