By a Western practitioner in North America　　

　　When I was a young child, I would often contemplate the meaning of life. I always sought to get closer to nature so as to understand the underlying reasons and order of things in the universe. I knew, as most everyone must, that there was something more to life than what was being presented to me. Perhaps it was childish self-centeredness, or maybe it wasn't, but I always felt that destiny had great things in store for me.　　　

　　As I got a little older and became more familiar with the workings of this secular society, I grew increasingly pessimistic and fearful that I would never discover the true purpose of my life. This prospect haunted me day in and day out, eventually causing me so much anxiety that it even became difficult to breathe. By the time I was 11, I had grown very bitter towards the world and the apparent meaninglessness of life, and my health began to deteriorate. By age 13, I had started drinking excessively and doing and selling drugs. My lifestyle led me to adopt many warped notions; I fully subscribed to communist theories, and even read communist literature. I was also staunchly opposed to traditional morality, particularly towards upright religions, and eventually I stopped believing in right and wrong altogether.　　　

　　Shortly after turning 14, I was kicked out of my house. By that time I was starting to have pancreas problems from drinking too much. I couldn't make it through the day without a drink, and was almost a completely dysfunctional human being. My mind had become so complex and full of chaotic notions that I couldn't sit through a whole day of school or stay awake through class. Even the simplest tasks had become nearly impossible.　　　

　　At that time, I knew I had to change the direction of my life. I began devoting myself more to spiritual pursuits. Though I was extremely foggy-headed, I came to understand that I must find a way to achieve internal freedom, let go of my notions, and live in harmony with the universe. he problem was, I had no idea how to work towards this goal. Throughout my life I had been exposed to a number of new age theories and religious philosophies, but none of them struck me as being very profound or genuine.　　　

　　Even though I had started to put my life back in order, I still lived with a near constant worry that I would never discover the meaning of this life. I was still plagued by health problems, including some lingering effects of the drugs I did when I was younger. My relationships with my family were generally poor (I barely spoke with my father for years), and I did countless degenerate things, some of which are even painful to remember.　　

　　It was at that time, when I was 15 years old, that a friend introduced me to Falun Gong.　　　

　　I can still vividly remember the first night I started reading Zhuan Falun. I was in a very bitter mood, and was also feeling quite angry and jealous. Since I had nothing else to do, I picked up Zhuan Falun and read the first lecture. he principles contained within it struck a deep chord with me. Even though much of the vocabulary was over my head, there was something familiar and comforting about the book. By the time I was done, I had a remarkable sensation that I had never experienced before. It was a sense of true calm, of contentment from the bottom of my heart. The jealousy and bitterness that only hours before had seemed to consume me had disappeared. hat night, I went to sleep smiling, and got the best sleep of my life. A part of me understood that I no longer needed to fear never finding the meaning of life. I felt like my long wait was finally over. I had finally come home.　　　

　　When I finally decided to commit myself to the path of Dafa cultivation, I started to experience many of the things described in Zhuan Falun. My illnesses all disappeared in a very short period of time. Within about a week of becoming determined to be a Dafa disciple and learning the exercises, I was involved in a car accident. An SUV slammed into the car door that I was sitting next to, crushing the door and shattering the glass. At that time, I was not worried or hurt. After I began practicing Dafa, old friends would always comment that I looked much younger (how much younger could I get?), and that my face looked so much more radiant.　　　

　　My relationships with my family were also finally mended. In particular, my relationship with my father had a turning point the first time I told him about Falun Gong. Although he's a very serious man with no spiritual or religious beliefs, he had an unexplainable and immediate affinity towards Falun Gong. Having seen the dramatic changes in my character, he became very supportive of Dafa. He even supported me in my Dafa work (financially) and sometimes helped pay for trips to conferences. My mother also took an immediate liking to Falun Gong, and both of them often talk to their friends about the persecution in China.　　　

　　The next year, I graduated from high school one year early and at the top of my class. In the span of a little over two years, the changes in my life were dramatic. I had gone from nearly dropping out of school, being distant and cold towards my family, drinking almost every day, indulging in countless degenerate activities, and being self-centered and jealous, to being a Dafa practitioner whose entire being had been renewed from the deepest source.