(Minghui.org) Recently, I had a slight toothache and one of my teeth was a little loose. My husband asked if wanted to visit a dentist. Since I thought it was not serious, I decided there was no need. Plus, it would have been very expensive.
Several days later, my toothache had not improved. My husband reminded me that his medical insurance included dental care. He suggested again that I go to the dentist. When I heard that the insurance covers dentists, I agreed to go, but I had an uneasy feeling it might be a bad decision.
For the next few days, my husband searched online extensively, but had trouble finding a suitable dentist. He had two dental insurance coverages and could not find a dentist who would accept both.
Meanwhile, since the time I had agreed to go, my toothache had worsened. When my husband finally found a dentist who would accept both insurances, my toothache was so bad that I could not chew anything. I was eating porridge and overcooked noodles for meals.
At the dentist’s office, my teeth hurt badly when a nurse came in to check on me. Looking at my X-ray, the doctor said that I had a serious periodontal disease and recommended a periodontist.
After calling the recommended periodontist, we found he would not accept our insurance. Although I was disappointed, I got the feeling that I should not have been at the dentist in the first place.
My husband suggested that we look for another periodontist. “Let's wait for a few days. Maybe my teeth will get better,” I responded.
That same evening, I was on the phone to a fellow practitioner and told her about my situation. She told me that once she had a toothache, went to a dentist who took care of it and never had any problem since. Two days later, I saw another practitioner who mentioned to me that she was seeing a dentist since she had toothache.
My toothache had lasted so long and other practitioners were going to the dentist. I decided I should go, too.
My husband finally found a periodontist who would accept our insurance. He made a weekend appointment so he could accompany me. On the way there, I had a really strong uneasy feeling. I was pretty sure no good would come from the appointment.
The doctor was very kind. She looked at my previous X-ray and checked my teeth carefully; she said I needed to have another more detailed X-ray. After examining the new one, she said to me in a serious tone, “You have severe periodontitis. It's too late for any treatment. All of your teeth need to be extracted.”
What?! You want to pull all my teeth out? I suddenly remembered a passage from Master:
“We have a student who broke a few needles at a hospital. In the end, the liquid medicine squirted out, and the needle still would not penetrate. He came to understand, ‘Oh, I’m a practitioner, and I shouldn’t have injections.’ He just realized that he should not have an injection.” (Lecture 6, Zhuan Falun)
My mind became clear. I thought, “Master, I was wrong! I did not treat myself like a practitioner. I understand now!”
My whole body felt hot. Instantly my toothache, which had bothered me so badly for weeks, vanished!
I was still lying in the dental chair. Next to me, the doctor and my husband were discussing the procedure for removing all my teeth. With my fingers, I pressed my mouth and teeth. They no longer hurt.
My eyes welled up. I was speechless at the wonder of Dafa and Master's mercy. As soon as my thought was righteous, Master took away my toothache!
I dragged my husband out of the doctor's office. Tears covering my face, I told him my teeth were fine. My husband looked at me doubtfully. He had seen me suffering and covering my cheeks with my hands just a few minutes ago. In order to convince him that my teeth really felt fine, I got ribs for dinner. Watching me eating the ribs happily, he finally believed I no longer had a toothache.
Looking back at the experience, which lasted around a month, I saw many of my attachments. I did not plan to see the dentist at the beginning, but I decided to go after I heard we had dental insurance. I was keen on getting petty advantages especially regarding money. I often looked for those buy-one-get-one-free deals or big sales. I thought I was smart with money. I did not treat myself like a practitioner.
Master said:
“If you ask for an illness, it will come inside your body.” (Lecture 6, Zhuan Falun)
This explained why my toothache immediately got worse as soon as I decided to go to a dentist. I did not treat the problem as a test of my xinxing; instead, I treated it as an ordinary illness. Although I had a feeling I might be doing something wrong, I did not have righteous thoughts.
Two practitioners told me their experiences with dentists. I thought I could go if they did. Following other people was another of my attachments. I did not like to think and analyze right from wrong, and I did not like to take responsibility for my actions. When I heard that two other practitioners had been to the dentist, I felt justified to do so as well.
I found that I did not fully believe in Dafa. Merciful Master gave me several hints: first, I could not find a suitable dentist; next, the dentist refused to treat me... I did not understand until at last, the doctor wanted to remove all my teeth! I was such a fool!
Tears rolled down my face again. I regret that I kept making mistakes, and I am so grateful for Master's mercy and care!
I have been practicing Falun Dafa for 14 years. No matter how I have kept stumbling, Master has never given up on me and has always protected me. I shall cultivate more diligently!
Category: Improving Oneself
