(Minghui.org) I came to know about Falun Dafa about 20 years ago, through members of my family, who are all Dafa practitioners. Though I was the only one who did not pick up the practice, I firmly believed in the goodness of Falun Dafa. I carried a Dafa amulet with me and would often commend Dafa before friends and government officials.
I have a fortune teller friend who can accurately predict a person’s past and future. Once out of curiosity, I asked him, “Do you know when I will start cultivating?” My friend replied, “Not now. Wait until you are past 50 years old.” I was slightly upset, although I knew that he was telling me the truth. I was still young. Why did I need to wait until I had reached 50 or older? Why couldn’t I obtain the Fa earlier? In hindsight, his prediction was correct.
It was 20 years ago, I was a wastrel who led a small gang, spending all my time and money on alcohol, drugs, and women. I even started gambling with corrupt officials like our town mayor and police chief, losing up to 100,000 yuan in one night. My addiction grew until I was lost to this vice.
Despite my unsavory lifestyle, I retained a great respect for Dafa and frequently recited the phrase “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” However, the lure of earthly temptations proved too much to resist, and entering the cultivation path became the furthest thing from my mind. Yet, Master Li did not give up on me. For over 20 years, Master repeatedly resolved difficult situations, and saved me from danger.
Escaping Danger
Once, I encountered an extremely painful, loose tooth, which refused to fall out. In the midst of this suffering, I silently begged Master Li, “Master, restore my tooth and help me resolve the pain. When my tooth has recovered, I will start cultivation practice.” I forgot my words soon after. To my surprise, my toothache disappeared the next day and my loose tooth became firm and steady. I did not attribute this miracle to Master Li, and did not honor my words. Instead, I carried on with my debauched lifestyle.
On one occasion, I was driving along the Yantai Expressway when an extreme bout of fatigue hit me. I could barely open my eyes, and even started snoring. I had been gambling day and night for the past month while taking drugs. Under their influence, I had been full of energy and sleep had not been necessary. But at this juncture, I had no more drugs and was so sleepy that I could barely keep myself awake. I wanted to pull off the highway, but I could not locate a rest area. At this point, I realized the danger I was in.
Suddenly Falun Dafa came to mind and I decided to ask Master Li for help. As I drove, I repeatedly shouted, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!” In an instant, my drowsiness vanished and my mind was clear. I drove home, made it to my bed and slept for three days and nights.
I had a closer call on another occasion, when driving from Yantai to Qingdao. I was driving two men and a woman while seriously lacking in sleep, and did not notice a sudden, sharp turn in the road. If I applied the brakes forcefully, the car’s momentum would send it crashing into a pit at the side of the road. I silently recited, “Falun Dafa is good”, brought my concentration to bear and gently applied the brakes while maneuvering the steering wheel. However our speed was still too fast and our car tumbled into a deep pit at the roadside.
Amazingly, my car and all four of us emerged from this encounter unscathed. High on drugs, my three dazed passengers laughed off the entire incident. I called thirty of my fellow gang members to help, but even then we remained unable to get the car out of the deep ditch. Finally we contacted a rescue company and a big crane was used to lift my car out. Onlookers from a nearby village told me that accidents were common along this section of road. Falun Dafa’s Master had saved me yet again.
Over the years, under Master Li’s protection, I have miraculously escaped from a number of dangerous situations. Yet, I was never able to step into cultivation practice.
Destructive Habits Come to an End
My destructive habits went from bad to worse. I squandered my entire life savings on my drug and gambling addiction, and was forced to drive a taxi to earn a living.
I suffered a severe stroke in March 2017, and was admitted to a hospital. My eye and one corner of my mouth drooped uncontrollably, causing drool to drip down on my chin. I was also unable to lift my arms or legs. To further add to my woes, I was suddenly struck with more than a dozen diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and vascular disease. I was so weak I had to use a wheelchair to move around. After 15 days, I was transferred to a rehabilitation center for further care.
I remained in the rehabilitation center for two months. When it was time for my discharge, the center billed me a total of 20,000 yuan for medical expenses, but I did not have the money to pay them. My son was forced to find work elsewhere, so he could earn enough money to hire a professional caregiver and pay for my medical bills.
After returning home, I remained unable to care for myself. My sister quit her job in a distant city, and returned home to care for me. Because of my illnesses, I had to take more than 10 different types of medicines 3 times a day. I also faced a lifetime of insulin injections to manage my diabetes.
In a bid to alleviate my suffering, my sister encouraged me, “Start cultivating, and throw away all those medicines!” I was 51 years old then. I listened to her advice, stopped taking all my medicines and began to practice Falun Dafa.
My sister organized a Fa study group in my home by inviting a number of Dafa practitioners to visit. Through learning the Fa and sharing of cultivation experiences, my understanding grew in leaps and bounds. When I started performing the exercises, I was unable to lift one of my arms. So, I put my arm into a sling until I was able to move it. When I started reading, my pace of learning was slow and my pronunciation unclear. Over time, my reading became smoother and my articulation clearer.
Shortly after I began practicing Falun Dafa, I quit my drug and gambling addictions, and recovered from my high blood pressure and diabetes. During my follow up examination, a CT scan taken at the hospital showed that the two centimeter long blood clot in my brain had disappeared. Now, I no longer rely on others and can take care of myself. Though I don't have much money, my heart is at peace. I am grateful to Falun Dafa and Master Li for giving me a new lease on life!
