(Minghui.org) Two years ago, when the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) visited Australia, I took part in Falun Gong practitioners' peaceful protest. The Sydney Consulate hired many Chinese students and local residents to welcome him. These people tried to push us away from our protest location and blocked our banners with red flags to prevent the Chinese leader from seeing them.
Although we did not complain and tried to tolerate their behavior, they caused a lot of disorder; even the police could not contain the chaotic situation. A practitioner was pushed onto a major road, nearly causing an accident. The police were unhappy with us and upset at the way the protest turned out.
I did not take the opportunity to look within to see if I had a competitive mentality during the incident. I lacked compassion towards the welcome group.
At the end of last March, on the eve of the Chinese premier's visit, practitioners who organized the protest asked us to treat people with compassion. I became very guilty after hearing their request and realized that I had a competitive mentality. I wasn't kind to those who had been deceived by the CCP's propaganda. I reminded myself to get rid of this shortcoming. I had the wish, but I did not know how I was going to achieve it. I told myself I had to resist and eliminate it as soon as I detected this attachment.
I encountered the same situation on the first day of the premier's visit. What was different was that there was an even bigger welcome group than I expected. They had more banners, and they were bigger than ours. The contingent occupied the whole area and totally blocked our banners from public view. We were squeezed into a very small space. Faced with this situation, I was very anxious. At this moment, practitioners who were holding the banners moved back and created a distance between us and the welcome group so people could see our banners.
I thought of Master's teaching:
“We say that when you take a step back in a conflict, you will find the seas and the skies boundless, and it will certainly be another situation.” (Zhuan Falun)
Guided by Master's words, we were able to resolve the problem. It was also the key to getting rid of our selfish notions. For many years, I was poisoned by the culture of the Communist Party. I did not understand the principles one should live by. Master's teachings changed my egoistic views. I learned to be kind to others and let go of my self-centeredness. Only by doing so can I accomplish my mission as a Dafa practitioner.
I also changed my mindset towards those who disrupted our appeal. I used to think they had poor morals and looked down on them. When I realized they had been deceived by the CCP, I couldn't help but feel compassion for them. I should tell them the facts so that they will have a good future.
I decided to send righteous thoughts to eliminate all evil beings controlling them in other dimensions. I was joined by other practitioners. Although the surroundings were rowdy, I was not affected at all. I was focused and sent strong righteous thoughts. My mind was in deep tranquility. My body felt empty. I have practiced cultivation for 21 years, yet I had never experienced such pure and strong righteous thoughts. It was as if all the cells in my body had become one. My thoughts did not go astray. My legs did not hurt at all. I was very relaxed, and it felt amazing.
After about 20 minutes, I was oblivious to the noise around me. I could only hear intermittent drumming in the distance. Afterwards, I was told that more than 30 practitioners were sending righteous thoughts together. I heard the church bell ring, and a practitioner said we had been sending righteous thoughts for one hour. The hour went by very quickly for me. I wouldn't mind doing it for another hour. I was reluctant to put my legs down. I was excited and felt good for a long time afterwards.
Through this incident, I felt that my body had been thoroughly cleansed. Regretfully, we had to stop sending righteous thoughts and moved onto doing the exercises. It was quiet all around us, and the crowds had long dispersed.
Master said:
“When Dafa disciples join forces the power is really enormous. When everyone manages to focus their minds while sending righteous thoughts, the power is especially strong, and it’s just phenomenal. (“Fa Teaching Given at the New York Fa Conference Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Dafa’s Spreading”)
The righteous thoughts we sent during the protest were indeed very powerful. The evil's arrangements were thwarted, and sentient beings were saved. I was pleased by how things turned out. This wonderful experience will stay in my mind for a long time.