(Minghui.org) I started to practice Falun Dafa at the end of 2012. For one year, I did not experience anything unusual. I did notice that things seemed to go very smoothly for me. Sometimes things went so smoothly that others thought it was incredible. Of course, they just believed that my luck had suddenly taken a turn for the better. But I know that nothing is accidental and that all this good fortune and success came as a result of obtaining the Fa.
I work at a university. Driven by a competitive personality, I was very busy with my career and was quite well known. You can imagine that, when one is driven by competition, the fame is fleeting and the only thing left afterwards is depression, helplessness and worries about personal gains and losses. Sometimes I asked myself, "So, as human beings, we just live for these benefits?" Others believed that I was very capable, and that everything went well for me; but this conflict in my mind went on and on, making me tired and quick-tempered.
Before I started to cultivate, I had learned a lot about Falun Gong from my family, who are practitioners. I read Zhuan Falun on and off and had a deep trust in Dafa – I never doubted it. Sometimes when I experienced difficulties or discomfort, I often chose human ways of handling things and begged Master for help. Sometimes I did the meditation and the exercises, but when I felt well or when the tribulations were gone, I became lazy and did not want to continue. In human society, I still did things my own way and thought I was pretty good compared to the rest of the deviated world.
When fame and profit could no longer solve the uneasiness and impatience in my mind, I realized that Zhuan Falun is a book that teaches people to elevate themselves. To find a moment of peace, I started to read Zhuan Falun when I was out of town doing further study.
I did not have very strong feelings like some other practitioners. I just continued to read the book in a very natural way. When I wanted to do the exercises, to send forth righteous thoughts, or to do things to validate Dafa, I just followed a natural course. Later on, I came to see that this Fa is great.
What should we do when there are so many people around us who do not understand the truth? In order to provide the opportunity for people around me to learn the truth of Dafa, I set up a truth-clarification materials production site at my home. This was the opportunity and process for me to walk into Dafa.
I felt a very strong sense of happiness after obtaining the Fa. Because of my job, I wanted to pursue a PhD. But the field of education is riddled with corruption. You have to inform your PhD supervisor in advance. I decided to take the test for PhD candidates at a well-known university.
Many people encouraged me to bribe the supervisor by giving him money. But since I practiced Dafa, although I had only recently started, I knew that bribing him was not right. I waited hesitantly until it was almost time to take the test. My supervisor advised me not to take the test since there was no quota. That meant that he probably wouldn’t accept me.
I was determined. Whether I would be accepted as a PhD candidate, it was Master who would have the final say. If there are sentient beings in that environment that I should save, I should pass the test. That is why I told my supervisor that, whatever the quota, I would take the test.
After I took the test, I almost forgot about it, since it seemed that there was very little chance for me, so I just got on with my life. Later on I was informed that I had been accepted. I was surprised, so I went to talk to my supervisor. He asked me what kind of connections I had that made me special. I told him I did not have any special connections. He smiled at me in disbelief. That was how I passed the PhD candidate test. Master arranged everything in the best way. I felt so thankful for Master’s arrangement.
Later on I applied for some advanced grants. Usually it is impossible for a young teacher to get such grants, but I handed in the applications anyway. Not only were they approved, they were the highest category of grant. These grants are so important to a young teacher like myself. It was enough to pay off all the experimental expenses and alleviate my financial burden. When I let go of my attachment to self-interest, I got whatever I was supposed to have, and Master even gave me more.
With the higher requirement of the Fa placed upon practitioners, some hidden attachments to reputation and profit are exposed. I believe this is a good thing. Only when it was exposed could I continue to cultivate.
Physically I have always been pretty healthy, with no big problems. After I began to cultivate, I did not experience big changes like some practitioners. The obvious change is that my skin became very delicate, and I am always warm instead of always cold. However, I underwent huge changes in my heart. My temper and character are getting better. I have stopped being so competitive.
I feel so happy to be cultivating in Dafa. I use my experience to tell people that those who cultivate Falun Gong are wise and happy. “We do not seek what everyday people want. Instead, what we get is something everyday people cannot obtain—even though they want to—except through cultivation practice.” (Zhuan Falun)
I feel truly happy cultivating Dafa. Since I have Master and the Fa in my heart, I do not feel empty anymore, and neither do I concern myself with loss and gain.
When I encounter xinxing tests, I find it difficult and do not want to let go of all my human baggage. But when my thoughts come from the Fa, these tests disappear very quickly. After passing the test, I really feel that the situation is as boundless as the sea and sky. Without human attachments, we won’t be restrained and then we can return to our original self.
As a beginning Dafa practitioner, my level is limited. Fellow practitioners, please point out if there is anything in my understanding that is improper or not from the Fa's perspective.
