(Clearwisdom.net) I joined the military at the age of 19, and spent half of my life there, starting as a soldier, and working my way up to the rank of colonel. Fortunately, I discovered the true meaning of life. I am now 70 years old. I have a healthy body, an open mind, and I am filled with hope.

I still like to see lotus flowers in the summer. I like their light, scented smell and peaceful look. In my younger years, I learned that the lotus flower's characteristic was, “Live in the silt but remain unstained.” I wondered what a person who possessed this characteristic would be like. When I grew up and experienced many tribulations, I gradually learned that people with such characteristics must have righteous beliefs and great hope. What should the beliefs be, and where is the hope?

Lotus flower photo taken by author

Humanity Shining in the Dark

I was born in a poor farmer's family in Shanghai Province in the early 1940s. My parents were kind and simple. All four of my brothers were sent to enlist in the military. My younger brother became handicapped during the Vietnam war. My parents practiced Buddhism when they were young. During the war against the Japanese in 1938, they became members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), due to a strange combination of circumstances. Later, they realized that they couldn't find their purpose in life inside the CCP. They risked their lives to protect their consciences while participating in the CCP's evil political movements. One time, their superior ordered them to execute a businessman who sold horses. First, they labeled him a “bad person,” and then dug a grave and sent a group of people to arrest him at home.

There was no electricity in the countryside during the 1940's. In the dark of night, my dad pretended that he found the wrong person, holding the head of the person who was in charge of arresting the innocent businessman, so that he could escape amidst the chaos. Faced with a choice between the CCP and humanity, my parents chose humanity. Their choice was difficult and risky. They kept those stories secret until my mother was close to death.

I was influenced by traditional Chinese culture at a young age, but was exposed to the CCP's culture at the same time. I remembered when all the military recruits had to pass a training test. We were ordered to use a compass to locate and bring back objects in the middle of the night. The locations were all in graveyards. Once, the object we had to acquire was the body of a dead child. We unpacked the object after we got back and were shocked and angry to discover that it was a dead child's body. This wasn't in any way an act of courage; rather, it was designed to make us disregard humanity. We were trained to fight heaven, Earth, and human beings.

During the Haicheng Earthquake in 1975, my military unit was responsible for taking care of the disaster victims. Humans are so powerless when faced with natural disasters. Fighting heaven and Earth is simply irrational. My job responsibility was in political and ideological education. I found out that fancy preaching couldn't win people's hearts, and was far from rational. People can become good at pretending. They say those fancy slogans, but they act totally different a moment later. The military fills your head with thoughts of struggling for power, selfishness, shameful things, and moral depravity.

In early 1990, a chef at a military guest house had a book about a famous French prophecy. Many people at the military guest house read the prophecy, which predicted a great human catastrophe in 1999. The chefs and service people discussed what to do about it. I called a meeting to do my “education work.” I told everyone, “Don't think about those things. We'll find a solution in the future to handle pollution issues, atomic bombs, and planet collisions.” Later, I found the chef and asked him to lend me the book. After I read it, I wondered, “Morality is deteriorating so fast. Who can save us? Where is the hope?”

Searching for the Truth in Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine, and Qigong

People can ignore the meaning of the life, but they can't escape illness. I became the youngest political commissar in the military unit when I was 30 years old, but I had many illnesses due to my workload. In the spring of 1975, I began experiencing dizziness all day long, and was very weak. Sometimes while I walked, my heart beat very fast, and I sweat profusely. I felt like I might die at any moment. I visited many famous military hospitals, but none were able to diagnose my problem. I had neurasthenia and frontal sinusitis. Doctors said that the frontal sinusitis could trigger a life-threatening brain inflammation. I was in my 30s, but couldn't even climb to the second floor. I had to hold the railing to get up there. I had to take breaks to recuperate. Patients in the convalescent home were curious to see me in there. They were all older military leaders, and I was the youngest patient with a critical illness. The pain continued for 20 years. I visited countless Western medical doctors, Chinese doctors, and military and civilian hospitals. They were all helpless. I cried out to myself: Who can save me?

Qigong was popular in the 1980s. Many senior officers and leaders from the central government received treatment from qigong masters. Zhang Zhenhuan, director of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission, publicly promoted qigong. Many scientists participated in qigong research. The famous scientist Qian Xueshen stated that qigong would trigger a revolution in science. At that time, qigong was popular in the military. I also learned qigong along with a military newspaper journalist.

I learned that qigong was not a superstitious practice, but in fact, improved people's health. I practiced many kinds of qigong and became the leader of a local qigong society. Later, I learned that many qigong masters' moral levels weren't very high, and they were only seeking fame and fortune. I knew however that qigong was real. Some masters were at higher levels, some at lower levels, some were genuine and some were fake. I wanted to find the best, highest-level qigong master.

Shaking My Heart

In January 1996, a friend in my military unit told me, "I have a qigong book of the Falun Gong spiritual practice. Do you want to take a look?" I replied, "Sure, I'll take a look at it." I had searched for over ten years to find a cure for my illness and some direction to my life. The content of the book Zhuan Falun felt very familiar, yet quite shocking. I finished the book in one day. All the questions I had throughout my life were answered. The book teaches us to follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and to walk a righteous path and value virtue. If everyone behaved like this, wouldn't the whole society become better? Wouldn't humanity be saved? I closed the book and thought, "I've finally found it!" I returned the book to him the next day, and said “I want to practice Falun Gong today. Please teach me the exercises.”

Prior to practicing, I always felt dizzy, as if I were drunk. After two weeks of practice, my neurasthenia disappeared, I could sleep again, and my mind became very clear. I had taken Chinese medicine for over 20 years, and Western medicine for several years, but often felt exhausted just from walking. I now walk easily and ride a bike without effort. I had chronic colitis before, but now it's completely gone. I can even eat a popsicle and suffer no consequences like I would have before. I celebrated from the bottom of my heart, that I can live like a normal person. I've changed. Teacher Li saved my life. I am so grateful! I am determined to learn Falun Gong well and tell more people about Falun Gong so that they can also benefit!

I met a friend who was a doctor at a hospital several days later, while on a train. He mentioned, “My neighbor is practicing qigong—it's quit magical.” I asked, “What is it called?” “Falun Gong,” he replied. I said “Oh, I'm looking for Falun Gong practitioners.” He said, “Come to my home then.” He prepared some food for me, and we talked as we ate. The neighbor couple came over a while later. The woman had worked in the medical field for many years, while the man was an education officer. The lady saw me smoking and said seriously, “Disgraceful! What does the book say? How have you practiced Falun Gong? You're still smoking!”

I was shocked. I was a military officer—no one had ever spoken to me so directly before, and it took me by surprise. However, I felt very happy and refreshed from the bottom of my heart. I burst out, “Sister, you are so good. I can see the difference with Falun Gong practitioners. You tell the truth and are truly good for others. I just started to learn Falun Gong. I didn't know that I needed to follow the requirements exactly. I will do better starting today.”

I had previously smoked two packs of cigarettes per day, and it had been difficult to quit. After I read the section in Zhuan Falun regarding smoking, the smoke tasted bad when I tried it again. In September 1996, I threw the lighter away when I went to visit my parents. I finally quit the smoking habit I'd had for over 30 years, and haven't smoked in the last 15 years.

I once went to a club for retired officials. People were talking about the reimbursement for medical expenses. The medical expenses statistics for our military unit didn't have my name on the list. Someone said, “He practices Falun Gong. He's healthy now, but before, his face was grayish - now it's glowing with health.” I haven't taken any medicine since I started practicing Falun Gong in 1996. I've saved the government hundreds of thousands of yuan.

After I began practicing, I didn't take others' gifts or secure advantages using my influence. My staff said, “Our political commissar is upright and honest. It's not easy to find someone like that these days.” One time, we worked with a local water conservancy bureau on a project. They noticed that I did things according to the standards of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The water conservancy bureau leader said, “You're a good person. We admire you!” On another occasion, a military unit secretary was worried about how to assign people with different positions to attend different conferences. I said, “Don't worry about it. I don't care about the position. You can arrange anything for me.” He said gratefully, “You're so good. Let's chat when you have time.” Previously, I'd given him the book Zhuan Falun to read.

A local Falun Gong experience sharing meeting was held in our military unit's conference room. Our unit director was very supportive and said, “It's for Falun Gong? Yes, you can use it for free.” In the experience sharing meeting, we talked about our experiences after we began the practice. Some fatal diseases were cured, some decided to start their lives anew, some renewed relationships with their mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. These real stories touched people's hearts. The president of the local Political Consultative Conference and local People’s Congress leader attended the conference. They said emotionally, “Practicing Falun Gong gives you good health and improves moral levels!”

Conscience

I almost forgot about the prophecy book the chef had. The persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999, and reminded me about the predicted “Human catastrophe in 1999.” Falun Gong's Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance contradicts the CCP's ideology of “Lies, Cruelty, and Violence,” which helped cause the persecution. However, when the practitioners of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance were brutally persecuted, only “Lies, Cruelty, and Violence” was left for society. Nowadays, people cheat each other and solve problems through violent means. This resulted in poisonous food everywhere. Isn't this the beginning of a human disaster?

I wrote many letters to central government officials and national leaders to appeal for the right to practice Falun Gong. I spoke to my friends, staff, and supervisors about the fact that Falun Gong was good for our nation and people. No matter what positions we hold in society, we are first human beings. Everyone has the choice to follow his or her own conscience, which is beyond politics, fame, and money. Only by knowing the truth can they choose a good future for themselves.

Before the persecution, I gave a copy of Zhuan Falun to most of the leaders in our district. After the persecution began, our district director said, “We didn't forget you. I put my good word in for you at the key moment.” Some leaders nodded their heads when they saw me, saying, “I've kept the book you gave me and will use it in the future.” Later, I clarified the truth about Falun Gong to the deputy director of our district, and he asked me to help him to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Under such high pressure in the military, practitioners are usually not allowed to go out of town. Under the protection of those leaders, I was free to travel.

I believe that everyone has their own conscience, which will shine once they know the truth about Falun Gong.

Coming Back to Life in the Hospital

In early 2007, my son suffered from a severe illness, and his body was convulsing every few minutes. He was in an intensive care monitoring room. His breathing was labored, and a little later, his heart stopped beating. The medical staff tried to resuscitate him, but there were no vital signs. The medical staff then informed me, “It's over. We couldn't resuscitate him. Please prepare for his funeral.” Many people gathered in the hallway to discuss what had happened.

Due to a father's love, I couldn't let my son go. In my despair, I thought of Teacher. I rushed to my son's bed and shouted, “Falun Dafa is good! Falun Dafa is good! Teacher Li, please save my son!” The shouting echoed throughout the emergency room. People stood numb. My relatives, leaders, and coworkers from my son's workplace were all there. My daughter-in-law lost control and cried loudly.

Twenty minutes passed. I rushed to my son's bed again and shouted, “Falun Dafa is good! Teacher, please save my son.” A moment later, my wife said suddenly, “He's alive, my son is alive!” The monitor indicated that his heartbeat had returned, and his blood pressure then began to rise. He started breathing again—my son came back to life. My wife was very excited, and, holding my hands, said, “Teacher saved our son. Our family thanks Dafa and Teacher!” A nurse who witnessed the event said, “We need to become good people! Good people are rewarded!”

A retired soldier who was visiting a relative said, “I learned a lot today. If you hadn't asked the Falun Gong Teacher to save your son, he would be dead. No matter what others think of Falun Gong, I one hundred percent believe that Falun Gong is good!” Before he left, he asked me to help him and his family quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

When my son recovered and left the hospital, he said goodbye to everyone in the intensive care monitoring room. The patients and their relatives said, “You've seen others shout that Falun Dafa is good. A dead person came back to life! We should learn from them!” A young, 20-year-old man was there suffering from a severe illness and was completely emaciated. He couldn't stand, even with his mother's help. Now, he was in high spirits and wanted to sit up. Later, he magically recovered, too.

Some time later, my son went back to the hospital for a checkup. A senior medical staff person said, “It's a miracle. Since your family shouted 'Falun Dafa is good,' no one has died in the past two months. I've worked here for many years. It's normal for people to die every day. This has never happened before in the intensive care monitoring room.”

Lamenting

Looking back at my path, I'm filled with all kinds of emotions. People used to say that I looked 60 or 70 years old when I was only 30. Now I look young, with black hair and a healthy body, yet I'm 70. Most importantly, I discovered the true meaning of life and understand what I did right, and what I did wrong. No matter what kind of pressure I face, I'm full of hope. I practice the highest-level Dafa and have the most righteous Teacher. I can be optimistic when faced with great difficulty. I don't get angry and am forever positive.

I want to tell all my friends that we have hope as long as we are alive—no matter what pressures we're under or what hardships we face. We live in a time of unlimited hope. This is a special, historic period. As long as you throw away prejudice, you can learn the truth about Falun Gong and have a great future.