(Minghui.org) I began clarifying the truth to government staff members a number of years ago. One day, while reading Zhuan Falun, I suddenly felt that Master was asking me to do more VIP work, so I began doing more of this work.
In general, VIP work felt intimidating to me, especially since I was a bit shy. But I tried to deal with that by sending forth righteous thoughts, writing down what to say when making phone calls, and preparing well for meetings.
I also realized I needed to step up to more fully clarify the truth. I discovered that there is more than one meaning to “stepping up,” and a deeper meaning to compassion than I had been aware of.
The following three experiences at the federal level felt like miracles. I honestly felt divine presence in each case. The ease with which each U.S. representative agreed to cosponsor H.Res.281 [opposing the CCP's forced organ harvesting] was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
I know that Master’s help made it possible. It is my understanding that if I do the preparation and then focus completely on saving the individual I’m talking to, then Master will assist me.
In both cases, I had to let go of wanting them to cosponsor for H.Res.281's success or for any sake of accomplishment on my part.
I met last year with two congressmen in their district offices. One of the two congressmen was not seeking re-election, and I was very worried that he may possibly miss his chance to be saved if we did not meet with him before he left office. With persistence, we finally were able to schedule a meeting.
When meeting with each of the two congressmen, I showed them an 8-minute video, gave them hardcopies of organ harvesting documentation, and was prepared to cover the talking points. I had also looked up their committee memberships and what legislation they have sponsored and co-sponsored, to better understand their principles, interests, and so on.
But after seeing the video, neither needed convincing–and they still gave me the full half hour scheduled to meet with me.
At one point in these meetings, I shared a personal story of hearing a Holocaust survivor speak in my 5th grade classroom, and the impact it had on me at the time. I couldn’t believe the world would allow that to happen. I told the story to the congressmen with the detail required to paint the story, and related it to the persecution of Falun Gong. I think it's a good idea to add a personal story if it feels appropriate, as the stories help establish a personal connection.
It had also occurred to me that I needed to interact with the VIPs and their aides more, and invite their questions, so I asked each congressman if he had any questions. The congressman at the first in-person meeting was very informed regarding Falun Gong and the persecution, but the second congressman did not know very much about it.
Yet both asked the same question: Why are they persecuting Falun Gong? I’m not sure if either would have asked that question without being invited to do so.
I answered the question and then asked if I had answered to their satisfaction. Both said “yes.” I then asked if they had any further questions, and they did not.
So the meeting in each case was coming to an end.
One of the hardest things to do was to directly ask for what we need when the discussion was over. In the past, I often made the mistake of not directly asking. Then the moment would be lost.
Assuming we’re talking to the decision-maker, we need to ask the question–politely of course. So, looking them in the eye, I asked each congressman if he would cosponsor H.Res. 281 and they both said “yes!” without hesitation.
At both meetings, everything just seemed to come together. The congressman who didn’t know much about Falun Gong gave us more time than allotted, and seemed reluctant to end the meeting. I felt a strong connection with him during the meeting, and honestly, the room felt electric with warm energy throughout the entire meeting. A fellow practitioner noticed it too.
What I learned from these two meetings was the value of preparation. Remember, the starting point for my preparation, at the very beginning of doing this work, was from fear–fear of failure. So yes, preparation gave me the confidence to ask directly for cosponsorship.
But more importantly, I realized that being prepared allowed me to relax, let go of any nervousness, and focus on saving each man and their aides, with compassion in my heart.
To put it another way, I learned that getting in touch with my vow to save sentient beings and being prepared, so that my compassion was not diminished by worries or fears, allowed for Master’s assistance in helping us reach the congressmen’s hearts.
Finally, I offer this last experience to share how strong cooperation allows Master to perform miracles.
This third congressman does not normally respond to requests for letters of support, or anything that does not have to do with his committee work. He is the chair of a powerful committee, and his office explained that he focuses only on his committee.
But we did not give up, and with H.Res. 281, we decided to collect signatures in his district. Every practitioner in our small group worked on petition signatures throughout the farmer’s market season in his district. This was a commitment because none of us lived there. With the efforts from everyone, we collected a healthy number of signatures, and I delivered them to his district office.
But what really turned the tide was the willingness of three practitioners to attend his re-election celebration–again–out of town. I had asked one of them to buy Ethan Gutmann’s “The Slaughter” and give it to him at the event with a note inside.
So three of our local practitioners were at the celebration event, which of course was very crowded and noisy with the congressman continually surrounded by well-wishers. Two practitioners left to use the restroom, with the remaining one holding the book. Suddenly the congressman no longer had people surrounding him. Unbelievably, in that crowded room, he was standing alone. That was her opportunity, and she took it.
She walked up to him and told him who she was and why she was there. She then offered him the book. The congressman was friendly, took the book, and gave it to his aide.
Very soon after that happened, the congressman had to get his microphone hooked up for a national interview. The aide was putting the microphone on his suit jacket while still holding the book, so the congressman could see the title. The practitioner saw the congressman’s eyes widen, and his face had a look of disbelief and intensity. He cosponsored the resolution very soon after returning to Washington. I also just recently learned that he personally knew the person quoted on the book cover, a person praising the book.
After he cosponsored, I asked for a meeting with him. I told his district scheduler that I wanted the opportunity to thank him. He agreed to a phone meeting and called me from his car at the appointed time. He was very friendly and encouraging.
I’m happy to say that he has agreed to cosponsor H.Res. 343. All it took was a simple email to his FPLA with a link to the resolution.
This was an office that for years had politely refused to get involved. Petition signatures certainly helped us get in the door, but I believe our cooperation as one body allowed for a miracle to happen at that celebration party.
Master said:
“You have to get personally involved, cultivate, and go and put things into action. Working hard is part of your cultivation. You need to think of ways to find the people that you are meant to save. All of these are things that Dafa disciples should do. Make efforts to cooperate well together.” (“20th Anniversary of Fa Teaching”)
To conclude, I was very focused on saving each person at these meetings. To put it simply, I really, really, really wanted to save them. So there was no room in my heart or mind to worry about or think about anything else. There was no “strategy,” just preparation.
This mindset allowed me to automatically be calm, friendly, and kind when speaking to them. In each meeting, I definitely felt divine presence in the room–and in the case of the state staffer and each congressman, they responded–to the Fa–not me.
I honestly felt Master's presence in each meeting. Nothing else could explain the ease with which their hearts were touched.
I can’t say that I’m successful each time I meet with someone, but I have learned that with pure thoughts, Master will arrange everything to go very smoothly.
I am grateful for fellow practitioners and for their efforts to save more people during this time we are given. I am grateful to be part of this noble endeavor.
Please correct any misunderstandings I may have.
Thank you, Master, and thank you, fellow practitioners.
(Presented at the 2015 Mid-US Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharign Conference)
