(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Dafa in July 1997. Actually prior to that, I had always felt protected by an unknown force, and I had been searching all my life for the answer to who he was, and where he was from.
I was in college in 1982 when I suddenly had the feeling that I had something significant to accomplish, but I didn’t know what it was or when it would happen. I was puzzled by this for more than ten years, thinking I might obtain a high position or make a fortune.
I searched for these things, but failed, possibly because I could not just go along with society’s degenerate morality. My parents’ influence had made me quite an upright person. I didn’t want to lie when doing business, or flatter higher ups to get a promotion. Though I worked as a teacher in the Party school at my company, I couldn’t bear the evil Party and its deceptive preaching. All I did at work was waste time. I loved martial arts, and I learned Tai Chi and several qigong exercises. Many phenomena I experienced overthrew the atheism in my mind and presented new realms before my eyes.
I had many questions about cultivation, but not a single qigong master could explain things clearly. I visited many famous temples, sought help from the super capable, and looked for answers in religions, but my efforts were in vain. When a friend of mine introduced Falun Dafa to me, I thought it was just another qigong exercise, and I didn’t take it seriously. This ended up delaying my cultivation for years.
Master must have seen my strong wish to pursue the Fa. An idea came to my mind one day, “I must read the Falun Dafa book!” This was how I finally learned Falun Dafa and became a devoted Falun Dafa practitioner. I spent a couple of days reading the book Zhuan Falun. Even though I usually read books much faster, reading Zhuan Falun was like eating meals. I had to digest one meal before I could eat another. Such a feeling continued for the first several years of my cultivation.
Words can’t describe my excitement after I finished reading the book. I finally realized the significant thing that I needed to accomplish—cultivating myself in Falun Dafa! I had finally found my Master, and I was heading toward my origin! I experienced all the things that Master describes in his book, especially what he said about the celestial eye in the Second Talk:
“It’s so scary!—such a big eye was looking at them and blinking, and it was so vivid.” (The Second Talk, Zhuan Falun)
“They even feel like they’re running outward when they’re asleep. Some people feel like they’re riding a horse fast, some like they’re flying, some like they’re running, and some like they’re rushing outward in a car.” (The Second Talk, Zhuan Falun)
“...and then the Tai-ji plate splits open—‘Snap!’ and they see some things.” (The Second Talk, Zhuan Falun Translation Edition)
I made up my mind to cultivate well and reach consummation! This is what I came to do in this life! Despite some ups and downs, frustrations, stumbling, and moments of sadness over the past 25 years, I have stayed firm on my path of cultivation under Master’s compassionate care. Adhering to Master’s teachings, I have persistently studied the Fa, done the exercises, and clarified the truth to sentient beings.
I watched the video recording of Master’s lectures in Guangzhou on January 7 this year. I was deeply engrossed watching Master’s large hand signs at the beginning of his lectures. Tears ran down my face, because I understood the meaning of the hand signs! One sentence after another came to my mind, “Let me tell you...”
I was so thrilled at that moment, and felt as if my whole body and the whole world had been shaken. No language in the world could described my happiness. A couple of days later, I watched Master’s exercise instruction video, and I was able to understand his large hand signs at the beginning of that video as well. It dawned on me what genuine cultivation is, how to truly cultivate oneself, and how serious cultivation is.
I feel so fortunate to have become a genuine Falun Dafa disciple, and not be left behind in the process of Fa rectification!
I cried several times while writing this article, feeling grateful for Master’s compassion and pity for fellow practitioners who haven’t cultivated diligently. It’s my understanding that disciples of Master Li must do the five sets of exercises every day without any excuses, and must study the Fa well every day.
I usually finish reading the book Zhuan Falun every four days, and find time to read other teachings. I do my best to send forth righteous thoughts four times a day, and clarify the truth about Falun Dafa to everyone in my life.
Fellow practitioners, the Fa’s rectification of the human realm is approaching. If you don’t do the exercises well, your benti cannot improve. How can you fulfill the mission of saving sentient beings?
The above is my understanding. Please feel free to point out anything inappropriate.