(Minghui.org) Since I began to practice Falun Gong in 1999, I've been thankful for Master’s guidance and help. I would like to share some of my experiences of how I overcame my family tribulations and how I tell others about Falun Gong in my work as a barber.
As soon as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started to persecute Falun Gong in July 1999, the situation changed in China. Influenced by the slanderous propaganda, my family was deceived and told me to stop practicing Falun Gong.
The first test came from my mother-in-law. Because my husband had died, we lived together and supported each other. But when I told my customers about Falun Gong in my barbershop, which was inside my house, she got very upset and began to complain.
One day, she said, “I saw you telling your customers about Falun Gong. What if one of them reports you to the police? It is too dangerous.”
“It will be all right,” I replied. “Those people were deceived by the Party's hate propaganda, and I am telling them the facts.”
“It is too risky. You can tell people that on the street, but not at home,” she retorted.
I told her that, for other things in the family I would listen to her, but not this, as it is very important for people to know the truth. However, she was still not convinced and stopped talking to me.
I calmed down and thought it over. I knew I had done the right thing, but why couldn't she understand? I realized that vicious elements in other dimensions were interfering, so I began to send forth righteous thoughts.
This worked and her attitude improved. Nonetheless, when I continued to tell more customers the facts about Falun Gong, she occasionally stopped me, telling the customers not to listen to me and even begged them not to report me to the police.
In “Congratulatory Message” (The Essentials of Diligent Progress Vol. III), Master said, “Dafa disciples, you are golden light in the mortal world, the hope of the world’s people, Fa-disciples who help Master, and future Fa-Kings.” I decided to do well in spite of the difficulty.
One village resident who had been my customer for a long time was a veteran CCP member. Once I told him to quit the CCP. That scared him, and he did not come anymore. But his wife still came in to get her hair cut and I explained the facts about Falun Gong to her. One day she had a car accident and I told her to recite, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” That way, she would benefit by supporting what is right.
After that, the veteran CCP member came to see me again. I first told him that we practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to become better people. “As you know, the CCP has committed many bad deeds in their political campaigns, and tens of millions of people have lost their lives because of it.” I told him that one had to quit the CCP for a safe future when heaven punishes the CCP.
He looked at me, smiled, and said, “Yes, please help me quit the CCP.” Upon leaving he also took a copy of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party.
My daughter performed well at school and passed the entrance exams for both a government officer position and a graduate school. After hearing the news, some village residents doubted if she would be admitted because I practiced Falun Gong. My mother-in-law heard it and was also worried.
My daughter compared her two options and decided to be a government officer. The day after her physical exam was scheduled, my mother-in-law asked me again if my practice would affect the family. My daughter overheard our discussion and begged me to stop talking to people about Falun Gong; otherwise, she would not go get the physical. I did not want to waste time with her and nodded.
To my surprise, my daughter went further and said, “You have to promise that you will never talk to people about Falun Gong in the future.” Shocked by her words, I knew the vicious elements in other dimensions were controlling her.
Looking at my daughter, I said calmly and firmly, “You can decide whether or not to go get the physical. But for me, I cannot live without Falun Gong. Nothing and nobody can stop me.”
My daughter began to cry, and my mother-in-law started to complain. But I was not disturbed. I said to them, “It is due to karmic relationships that we are a family. I do cherish that. On the other hand, by practicing Falun Gong one will be blessed and it will cause no harm.” I told them that their support of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance would lead to a better future for them.
Not long after that, my daughter was admitted and the entire family was happy.
From this experience, I learned that anything that happens to us could be a test. As long we have firm faith in Teacher and the Fa, we will be able to walk our paths well.