(Minghui.org) Looking back over my past 18 years of cultivation in Falun Gong, everything I have done was guided by Master. As long as we seize the time that Master has extended for us in the Fa-rectification and do the three things well, we will walk smoothly on our path until the end.
Family Against Rescuing Practitioner
A Falun Gong practitioner was once sentenced to seven years in prison. Another practitioner told me that this practitioner had been severely tortured because he refused to give up his belief, and was in critical condition. He was in his fourth year in prison at the time. Practitioners wanted to help rescue him, but his family was against it. The imprisoned practitioner's father was dying, and the family could not look after the two of them if he were released. I decided to get involved in getting this practitioner released.
We contacted this practitioner's child first, who also practices Falun Gong. He took us to see his aunt–the practitioner's sister. We told her the situation about her brother and hoped she could work with us to help get him released. However, she said that the prison provides room, board, and medical care for her brother, and that if he came back, no one could look after him. She also did not believe that the prison authorities would release him without a bribe. She told us to forget about it.
I told her, “I don't want your nephew to lose his father, or for you to lose your brother. Our Master asks us to help fellow practitioners.” I also told her that her brother could lose his life at anytime, and that she would feel deep regret if he died.
“Your brother is suffering terrible torture at the hands of the guards,” I added. “How can he get well? He needs a safe environment to recuperate, doesn't he? We will go to the prison to ask for his release. I will look after him. As long as I have food to eat, I will put him as a priority.”
But after saying that, I realized that my words were a bit boastful. I was homeless at the time, because I had left home to avoid being arrested, and could earn only a little bit of money each month by doing some odd jobs.
Encouraging Ex-Wife to Rescue Practitioner
We went to the practitioner's home the following evening. His ex-wife opened the door. She had divorced him while he was in prison. After she learned that we were Falun Gong practitioners, she threw a tantrum and wanted to report us to the police.
She complained that her family was broken up because her ex-husband practices Falun Gong. She blocked us from going inside while she was talking. I explained that the reason we came was to give some money to her son as the New Year was approaching, and to see if he needed anything. She then allowed us to go inside, but kept crying and complaining.
“For the past few years, you have had to look after your son by yourself. You have worked very hard,” I said. “You think your ex-husband didn't care about your family after practicing Falun Gong, but this is not true. He is a good person. It is Jiang Zemin who launched the persecution of Falun Gong and caused your family to break up. It is he who has brought disaster to countless Falun Gong practitioners and their families.”
I continued, “The New Year is coming up. Has any government official or police officer come to see if your son is okay? Your ex-husband is in critical condition. We hope that you and your son can go to the prison and ask for his release.”
She doubted that it would be possible. However, I encouraged her, “I am sure he will come back as long as you choose to work with us. How about I buy your train tickets tomorrow, and you and your son go there?”
Persistence Results in Release
We went to the political department of the prison. A guard was surprised to see the practitioner's ex-wife come to ask for his release. He said to her, “You've divorced and have nothing to do with him. Why are you here?”
I interrupted, “The child is just of school age and needs his father. He is in critical condition, and we want to take him home.”
The head of the political department said: “This is a prison. Do you think if you want to take him home, you can?”
“My brother doesn't steal or rob. He is a good person,” the sister replied. “If he had broken the law, we wouldn't be here. Why don't you listen to what my brother's colleagues and neighbors say about him?”
The son carried on, “If my dad dies in here, who would take responsibility? Sign the paper and take responsibility for your actions.”
The guard stared at him and said, “Your dad is a criminal. It is very normal for inmates to die in here.”
I explained that I hoped the guard could understand the child's request. Later, the guard told us to talk to the prison director.
The director was in a meeting, so we waited. The child and I sent forth righteous thoughts. We waited and waited, despite the freezing cold. In the end, we had to return to the hostel and studied the Fa there.
We asked some practitioners to send righteous thoughts near the prison, while others wrote letters to government departments to clarify the facts about Falun Gong and the persecution.
After four months of perseverance, this practitioner was finally released.
Looking Back to Find Shortcomings
The practitioner's ex-wife later said, “People who practice Falun Gong have righteous thoughts and kind hearts. I can trust you with my son. You are all good people!”
During the process of rescuing the practitioner, we constantly sent righteous thoughts and clarified the facts to each department. We also studied the Fa and did the exercises.
We looked back at what had happened during the day and tried to find our shortcomings. Many of our attachments were exposed, such as complaining, fear, and being afraid of hardship.
We also cooperated with fellow practitioners to rescue others. We went to the local police departments, Procuratorate, court, and Domestic Security police to clarify the facts about Falun Gong.
One police officer asked me not to put their names on the Internet. Another police officer said that he now feels sad when he is ordered to arrest practitioners.
