(Minghui.org) Before I practiced Falun Dafa, I was a member of the Chinese military. As is typical in China today, I was educated to be an atheist and indoctrinated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
In my mind, the concepts of Gods, Buddhas, and cultivation were feudal superstitions and out of tune with modern times. After I left the military, I became an ordinary member of society and lived and acted just like everyone else.
I learned about Falun Dafa by accident in May 2011, and my outlook changed completely.
Reading Zhuan Falun after Much Hesitation
I used the Freegate software to break through the CCP's Internet firewall on May 23, 2011, and found Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa. I had noticed the link to this book before, but was afraid to open it because of the Party propaganda defaming the practice—I was afraid that I might get myself into trouble.
However, a quote of Confucius came to mind: “At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities.” I realized I was over 40 years old and that I might regret it if I didn't check out Falun Dafa. After a brief struggle I overcame my fear.
I started to read Zhuan Falun. The more I read, the more I was drawn to it. Everything in the book seemed so reasonable.
Master said,
“Once this person thinks about taking the path of cultivation practice and once this thought occurs, it shines like gold, shaking the world in ten directions.” ( Zhuan Falun)
I decided that I wanted to practice Falun Dafa and would be determined, no matter how many obstacles I might encounter.
Physical Changes
Master started to purify my body, just as he said in {Zhuan Falun}}, “The body purification will be done only for those who come to truly learn the practice and the Fa.” (Zhuan Falun)
I felt something rotating inside my left thigh for about two days. I felt bursts of pain in my right shoulder about a week later. I continued to experience some pain on and off and remembered that I had those problems as the result of an accident during military training. Then, all the pain I'd had for more than 20 years disappeared.
It was not just my pain that disappeared but also the symptoms of some of my other ailments, such as neurasthenia, gastritis, liver cysts, prostatitis, and cervical spondylosis.
After I started cultivation, I no longer needed to see a doctor or take any medication. I no longer smoke, drink, or gamble.
I am determined to study the Dafa books diligently, live by the Dafa principles Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance, and be a good person.
My Thoughts Change Completely
I was born in a village in China in 1965 and thus grew up during the Cultural Revolution. The walls were covered with communist posters in the elementary schools and we were taught the communist theories.
Once I entered the military, I was immersed in atheism and materialism. Political theory study every Thursday afternoon is a typical example of how the Party brainwashes people. A young soldier is trained to listen only to his superiors and to ignore his own thoughts. I lost any shred of kindness and didn't believe in Gods or Buddhas.
In 2006 I got two calls at work from Falun Dafa practitioners outside of China. I refused to listen and verbally abused the caller before I slammed down the phone. I know now I was wrong and would like to apologize for my behavior.
After I began to practice Falun Dafa, the toxins instilled in my mind by the Party disappeared.
Master said,
“The human brain is a substance. If it is something of material existence, isn’t it something of the human mind as well? Aren’t they the same thing? Just like the universe that I have described, it does not only have its material existence, but also, at the same time, it has its characteristic … To tell you the truth, the entire cultivation process for a practitioner is one of constantly giving up human attachments. In ordinary human society, people compete with, deceive, and harm each other for a little personal gain. All of these mentalities must be given up. .” (Zhuan Falun)
When I read the above, I suddenly realized how much I had been indoctrinated and deceived by the CCP. Instead of focusing on how to do my job well, I tried to play power games to earn more money. I racked my brain figure out how to please my supervisors and how to best my colleagues. Now I realize how base my thoughts were before I practiced Dafa.
Passing the Test
For the first two years after I attained the Fa, I practiced at home alone. I taught myself to do the exercises and I also send forth righteous thoughts. Master said,
“For a Fa-rectification period Dafa disciple, personal liberation is not the goal of cultivation: when you came, saving sentient beings was your great aspiration, and that is the responsibility and mission history has bestowed upon you in Fa-rectification. Thus great numbers of beings are to be saved by you.” (“Let Go of Human Attachments and Save the World’s People” in The Essentials of Diligent Progress Vol. III)
I discovered that my colleagues didn't know the facts about Dafa, so I gave them informational materials. I sent a DVD about the self-immolation hoax on Tiananmen Square to the office director at the end of August 2013. A few days later a supervisor called and asked if I practiced Falun Dafa.
I said, “Dafa teaches people to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance and to be good.” The supervisor ignored me and organized the mid-level managers to pressure me to give up the practice.
They had no way of knowing that I had become a true cultivator during the two years I had been practicing Dafa. I held no fear because I knew that Master was looking out for me. I was very calm and recited in my mind, “Disciples’ righteous thoughts are strong Master has the power to turn the tide” (“Master-Disciple Grace” from Hong Yin Vol. II).
Under Master's protection, I passed the test and was not persecuted.
When I back look over my cultivation path, I remember all that I have done since day one. I learned to look inward whenever I encountered an obstacle, lived by the principles of Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance, and cultivated my xinxing.
With Master's compassionate guidance, I faced no real trouble despite the persecution. Thank you, Master! Thank you, Dafa. And my thanks to fellow practitioners who have helped me!
