(Minghui.org) I am a housewife who used to be addicted to playing Mahjong (a form of gambling). Consequently I stopped doing all of the housework and no longer took care of my child or cooked for my family. My husband and I argued constantly as a result of my addiction.
My health gradually deteriorated and I became very weak, I caught colds easily, and one side of my face became numb. I also had headaches and toothaches. I took a lot of medications, but to no avail. I then became depressed and lost hope in life.
I was fortunate to obtain a copy of Zhuan Falun in 2010. On the third day of reading the book, Teacher purified my body and all of my illnesses disappeared soon after. I felt light on my feet, and did not feel tired no matter how many stairs I climbed. I truly understood the feeling of being illness-free.
Teacher not only purified my body, but also elevated my mind. I enlightened that the purpose of one's life was to return to one's original true self. Teacher came here to help save people. Falun Dafa is a true pure land.
I followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, let go of fame and self-interest, and put others first when doing things. I wanted to become a true practitioner worthy of Teacher's saving grace, and reach the level as mentioned in “Non-Omission in Buddha-Nature” from Essentials for Further Advancement: “From now on, whatever you do, you should consider others first, so as to attain the righteous Enlightenment of selflessness and altruism.”
Although I really wanted to practice Dafa, there were interferences that hindered my cultivation. My husband cursed at me whenever he saw me read Dafa books or do the Falun Dafa exercises. I became fearful and gradually slacked off in cultivation. I eventually began to play Mahjong again.
Through practitioners' help, I started practicing Falun Dafa again a year later. However, both my husband and son were against my practicing. As I was reading the Fa one day, my husband suddenly rushed into the room and began to curse at me. He also threw all the Dafa books on the ground, and threatened that he would report me to the police.
I wasn't moved and calmly said, “I suggest you don't do that, as it's not good for you.” I also clarified the facts to him and told him about the positive changes I experienced after I began practicing. He didn't listen to me and left the room instead. At that time, Teacher's Fa came to my mind:
“As soon as you begin the exercises, your spouse will throw a fit at you. If you do something else, your spouse will not mind. No matter how much time you waste playing Mah Jong,2 your spouse might be unhappy, but not as much as if you practice qigong. Your qigong practice does not interfere with your spouse, and what a good thing it is since you exercise the body to keep fit, and you are not disturbing your spouse. Yet once you start practicing qigong, your spouse will throw things around and start a fight. ” (Zhuan Falun)
I enlightened that in the beginning of cultivation, there will be interferences or tests to help improve your moral character. As long as I'm not moved and have a compassionate heart, I can pass every trial.
Letting Go of Self-Interest
I had applied for low-income security in my community when I stopped practicing Dafa. In order to be eligible for the security, I needed to show proof of my illness. My siblings, who are also practitioners, said that I should no longer apply for the income, but I couldn't let go of the attachment to self-interest.
I had to show the person in charge of approving the low-income security my medical records a year later. I then paid someone to falsify my medical records. After I got home, one of my hands became swollen. I realized that the old forces was taking advantage of me because of my attachment. I immediately told the person in charge of the low-income security that I no longer wanted to apply for the security since my health had improved.
Clarifying the Truth
The process of clarifying the truth to people is also a process to eliminate attachments. If I run into someone I know, I would always take the opportunity to talk to them about Falun Dafa. With people I do not know, I would greet them first, and then try to talk to them about the beauty of Dafa, the staged “self-immolation” incident, and the corruption of the Chinese Communist Party. Many of the people I talked to believed that Dafa is good, and would withdraw from the Communist Party.
Working As One Body
When conflicts come up when working with other practitioners, we should resolve it. As soon as I realize that I have a complaint about practitioners, I would apologize to them immediately. Practitioners from my area also do the same thing, as we work together to harmonize what Teacher wants and form an indestructible body.
I once went with fellow practitioners to rescue a practitioner who was arrested. Some said, “We are doing this to improve ourselves.” After I heard that, however, I realized that it was not for my own elevation, but to validate the Fa and save sentient beings.
We went to the court entrance to send forth righteous thoughts the next day. One practitioner said, “When we did the exercises this morning, you were sitting there very beautifully and looked like a teenager.” I knew it was Teacher encouraging me through this practitioner.
I have been improving myself during the past four years of cultivation. I take care of my family without complaining, while doing most of the housework. I also stopped arguing with my husband. He gradually changed his attitude towards Dafa after he witnessed the positive changes in me, and is now supportive of my doing the three things. Sometimes, when I get home late from going out to talk to people about the persecution of Falun Dafa or distribute truth-clarification materials, he prepares dinner for me. My son's attitude and personality has also improved.
It is Falun Dafa that has completely changed me. Teacher picked me up from the dye vat of ordinary human society and saved me. He also helped me understand the principles of being a practitioner. I know that I still have many shortcomings and I have a lot to learn from others. I will do my best in my future cultivation!
