(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Gong shortly after the persecution began in 1999.
My company required all employees to undergo a complete physical exam, once a year. During my 2009 exam, it was discovered that I had kidney stones.
Although I was concerned when I first heard the diagnosis, I didn't seek out medical help, nor did I take any medicine. Instead, I doubled my efforts in doing the five Falun Gong exercises and studying the Fa.
I underwent another physical examination in 2010, and was told, “All of your kidney stones have disappeared!” I felt very grateful to Master.
In July 2018, I noticed three small lumps on my back. The lumps got progressively larger, and later became filled with pus and blood. When my daughter suggested that I visit a doctor, I thought, “I'm a Dafa practitioner. Teacher will protect me!”
However, to ease my daughter's concerns, I stayed at her home for a week. During that time, the lumps completely disappeared. I attribute that to diligently studying the Fa, doing the exercises, and sending righteous thoughts.
I recently have failed to set strict requirements for myself, and thus experienced illness karma. I didn't take my situation seriously, thinking that everything would work out in the end as before.
My wife brought up some of my ongoing health issues at a March 2019 Fa} study group held in my home. One practitioner said, “Don't accept your condition. It's all an illusion!”
Another practitioner asked me if my stomach hurt. I replied, “My stomach seems to be okay, but I find it hard to swallow food. As a result, I've become emaciated.”
I told her, “I didn't take my condition seriously for three months, thinking that it would soon resolve itself. During that time, I spent a great deal of time looking after my grandson, thus I didn't spend a lot of time clarifying the truth.
“I read the Fa and did the exercises in the evening, but I often felt sleepy while doing them. I noticed that I couldn't keep my hand upright when sending righteous thoughts, nor could I find time to do it four times a day. My mind seemed to constantly wander.”
She seemed alarmed by my answer, owing to the fact that her husband had passed away last year due to his not taking cultivation practice seriously. She said, “He wasted an inordinate amount of time watching TV.”
When Fa study concluded, I went to my room and laid down on my bed. My wife walked in and tried to console me, “Don't worry. Simply cultivate according to the Fa.” I asked, “What does it mean to 'cultivate according to the Fa'?”
She replied, “You need to totally deny the old forces' arrangements and follow Master Li's teachings.
Master taught us,
“'I'm Li Hongzhi's disciple, I don't want other arrangements or acknowledge them'--then they won't dare to do that. So it can all be resolved. When you can really do that, not just saying it but putting it into action, Master will definitely stand up for you.” (Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference)
At that moment, my righteous thoughts emerged, “I'm Master Li's disciple!” Although I felt that I had failed in my cultivation practice, I knew that Master had not given up on me. I told myself, “All of my character flaws can be corrected, as long as I continue practicing Falun Gong. No one has a right to persecute me!”
Seeing my cultivation state, my wife suggested that I stop taking care of our grandson. I was thus able to do the three things well.
Some time later, I became so depressed that I began making plans for my funeral. I suddenly realized that these morbid thoughts were not mine, but were put there by the old forces. Instead of going along with the old forces' arrangements, I increased my Fa-study time and sent righteous thoughts.
I recited Master Li's teaching.
“I'm Li Hongzhi's disciple, I don't want other arrangements or acknowledge them.” (Fa-Lecture During the 2003 Lantern Festival at the U.S. West Fa Conference)
Suddenly, in March 2019, I found it hard to breathe. I glanced over and saw a copy of Zhuan Falun on my desk. I felt there was something intrinsically precious about the book and wanted to memorize it. I thought, “I'll never be able to read or memorize the book if I die.” My mind was completely filled with negative thoughts and funerals.
I then picked up the book and asked Master for help. I felt that I had failed to live up to his expectations over the past 20 years.
Shortly after, my body felt very comfortable and light when I walked. It was as if nothing had ever happened! Tears filled my eyes. My wife and I sent righteous thoughts together the next morning, fully aware that Master had given me another chance.
I truly felt that everything that happened to me was an opportunity to elevate my xinxing. I now have a much better understanding of what Teacher means by “wide and far-reaching Buddha's grace.”
I will closely follow Master's teachings and do my best to save sentient beings and fulfill my historic vows!