(Minghui.org) I am in my 70s and have been a Falun Dafa practitioner for over 20 years.

In the winter here in northern China, the roads are often very slippery from the snow. When I walked to our local Fa study group one evening last winter, I suddenly became afraid of slipping and falling. So I started to use a cane for reassurance when I walked in the evening.

Then I began to use the cane all the time, making me appear old and feeble. I even started walking slowly with my cane. Even my friends would comment. One of them said, “Suddenly you're old! What happened?”

My decision to use a cane affected my life in many ways. I went to the bath house, but the attendant would not admit me unless I was accompanied by a member of my family. He said he could not take responsibility if I fell and hurt myself.

During the Chinese New Year, I went to get a taxi. A taxi driver pulled over for me, but then refused to give me a ride because I was alone and elderly.

These occurrences made me feel bad, as people were looking at me as an old and ill man. I then remembered that I am a practitioner, and what I was doing was a discredit to Dafa. How could I put my trust in a cane, and not Master.

I continued studying the Fa and looked within.

Master said,

“As true practitioners, we should look at issues from a very high level instead of from the perspective of everyday people. Should you believe that you are ill, this may really cause you to become ill. This is because once you assume that you are ill, your xinxing level will be as high as that of everyday people. Qigong practice and true cultivation practice will not lead to illness, particularly under this condition. It is known that what actually causes people to become ill is seventy percent psychological and thirty percent physiological. Typically, one experiences a mental breakdown, the mind cannot handle it, and one suffers a heavy mental burden before the illness’ condition drastically worsens. It is usually like this.” (Zhuan Falun)

I realized that my cultivation state was affected by my attachment to fear. When I let go of my attachment – I also let go of my cane!

It wasn't long before I could walk fast again and had no trouble going up six flights of stairs for Fa study. It felt as if someone was pushing me forward when I walked.

This is my personal cultivation experience, please correct me if there is anything inappropriate.