(Minghui.org) I am a practitioner who started practicing Falun Dafa in 2013. I would like to share my experiences of when I first started to practice, and some insights from my cultivation.
Obtaining Falun Dafa
I officially started my first job around May 2012. An older, more experienced colleague taught me many life lessons (these lessons were learned from Dafa). Eventually, I found out that he was a Falun Dafa practitioner and I was stunned. Luckily, I quickly understood and believed what he told me.
My colleague explained to me more about Falun Dafa, and told me that now was the Dharma-ending period, which means that many aspects of society are in ruins. I felt he made a lot of sense. He also told me that if it were not for the spreading of Falun Dafa, the earth would have faced a catastrophe long ago. After hearing that, I thought, “Thank goodness for Falun Dafa.”
I had the good fortune to translate some articles written by Falun Dafa practitioners. The articles talked about the persecution, Shen Yun Performing Arts, and traditional Chinese culture. When reading them, I could feel the sincerity and purity of the authors, which gave me a great impression of Dafa practitioners.
Predestined Relationship
Later I encountered problems in life and work, so I left my job. At this lowest point in my life, I felt horrible. Then, I thought about Falun Dafa and remembered that when I was in middle school over 10 years ago, I heard some Dafa practitioners having a group Fa-study outside. I could even remember some of the teachings they read aloud.
Just after that time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started persecuting Falun Dafa, interfering with my predestined relationship with the practice. At that moment, I felt the urge to read Zhuan Falun, to see if what I remembered hearing before was in the book. So I found Zhuan Falun on the Internet.
I was immediately absorbed after reading just a few paragraphs. While reading, I forgot what I was looking for; I just thought that it was amazing. After reading what Master Li Hongzhi (the founder of Falun Dafa) said about prehistoric culture, there was a voice in my mind telling me to check it on the Internet—to see if it was true.
But I also thought that I should not check because there are all kinds of arguments online over anything. It is hard to distinguish between true and false, and there was bound to be some slanderous remarks about Dafa. If I were to check, my heart may be swayed about details over such a great thing. I went on reading Zhuan Falun.
When I read the part where Master mentions the pineal body, I thought of searching for more information online again. I then searched for “pineal body” on Google, and the first picture displayed showed that the pineal body was indeed an eye. When I tried searching again sometime later, I could not find that picture anymore. Master may have helped me back then.
I heaved a sigh of relief knowing that I could read on with ease of mind. I then read Zhuan Falun in one shot. I was overjoyed. I felt like I had found the meaning of life, yet I regretted that I had not read the book earlier.
Learning to Be Diligent
For a few months after practicing Falun Dafa, I cultivated alone in a very elementary way. I did not know that I had to read the Fa every day (after reading Zhuan Falun once, I did not read it again). Neither did I know that I should seek out fellow practitioners nor that Master was doing Fa-rectification. I also procrastinated a lot before starting the exercises since I could not see anything in other dimensions.
I also did many wrong things in this period, some of which were severe. I always worried if I could be considered Master’s disciple, or if Master would acknowledge me as a disciple.
Actually, for a latecomer to the Fa-rectification like me, Master has already blocked off many negative factors. I did not know how to be diligent after I started the practice, and I had large gaps in my xinxing. Nevertheless, when the old forces wanted to pull me down, Master did not give up on me and pulled me along.
Master even arranged for my mother to come and help with some of the work in my daily life, so that I had time to do what Dafa disciples should do. With Master’s constant reminders, I finally realized that I should seek out fellow practitioners and learn how to do what Fa-rectification period disciples should do.
I then realized that every single Dafa disciple was helping Master rectify the Fa, and they were busy awakening sentient beings. I felt very regretful. Once, after a small group Fa-study meeting, a practitioner talked about his experiences. He said, “Master will never lie to us.” That unshakeable confidence and joy touched me. I was in deep envy. When could I be a practitioner who could say he has a Master?
Within a good environment of group Fa study and activities, and often reading Minghui articles, I matured in my cultivation. What was an unsurmountable obstacle before was now passable. When Master says that disciples have to do something, or that it is best to do something, we should do it. Master knows what's best for his disciples, and in my understanding, he gives the best to his disciples.
All along, I have encountered bumps during cultivation, but Master has always taken care of me. I now realize that if it were not for Master taking me as a disciple, I could not even cultivate for a day. In fact, Master could have been protecting me ever since I listened to that Fa-study when I was in middle school. Actually, I think Master has been taking care of me in all of my past lives!
I can now finally call Him, “Master.” My colleagues who know the truth tease me, saying, “Every time you talk about Master you’re filled with great pride and joy. You’re different now!”
I say to them, “Yes, with Master I am truly most fortunate!”
