(Minghui.org) I have been practicing Falun Dafa since I was a child and am now a young Dafa disciple during the Fa-rectification period. Looking back at my cultivation journey, especially over the past year since I came to the United States and joined a media project, I am filled with deep emotion and many heartfelt realizations. A lot has happened, but today I will share a few experiences with Master Li and fellow practitioners.
Experiencing the Sacred and Extraordinary Power of Dafa
Falun Dafa was first introduced to the public in 1992, the year I was born. My birth brought great joy to my family, but it also left my mother, who was in poor health, with many illnesses. Fortunately, she began practicing Falun Dafa in 1996, and soon after, all her health issues disappeared without any medical treatment. I was only four years old at the time, and naturally followed my mother in cultivating Dafa.
Because I couldn’t read, I just went with my Mom to the group Fa-study and listened to the adults read aloud. Although I couldn’t understand what they read back then, I remembered one thing clearly: I should be a good person by following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. From that moment on, these three words were like seeds planted deep in my heart, quietly influencing each stage of my growth.
I can’t see other dimensions, nor have I experienced the kind of miraculous recovery from serious illnesses that many practitioners have. However, to encourage me, Master has allowed me to witness some miraculous experiences of Dafa.
For example, when I first learned exercise one at a neighbor’s home, I felt a round object rotating inside my abdomen. The practitioner teaching me said, “Master has placed a Falun for you.” From that day on, the Falun has continued to rotate in my lower abdomen. Whenever I touch the area, I can feel it. Especially when doing the exercises, the Falun spins with even greater strength. When I do the exercises or send forth righteous thoughts, my body and palms often feel warm. Through studying the Fa, I have come to understand that this is a manifestation of energy.
I read Zhuan Falun for the first time during my first summer holiday in middle school. While reading about the celestial eye in Lecture Two, I felt a strong force pushing inward at the center of my forehead. The pressure was intense and quite uncomfortable. I wanted to touch or rub that area to ease the sensation. At that moment, I thought, “Master must be encouraging me to strengthen my determination in cultivation, and allowing me to experience in person that the celestial eye truly exists.”
I have also experienced many instances of immediate retribution. The most striking happened when I was in primary school. Whenever I entertained bad thoughts, such as disliking a classmate, speaking ill of someone behind their back, or doing something wrong, some trouble or an unpleasant situation would soon follow.
As a child, I was puzzled by these things for a long time. However, I gradually realized that it was Master’s compassionate protection, reminding me not to have negative thoughts or negative intentions that could hurt others or cause me to lose virtue and create karma.
In 1999, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began persecuting Falun Dafa, the once peaceful environment suddenly became tense. My father didn’t practice Falun Dafa and was afraid of the CCP, so he opposed my mother practicing. He was even more worried that my mother would lead me to practice as well. As a result, they often argued. I was caught in a dilemma.
But deep down, I knew clearly that Dafa was good. Although the environment was less free and open than before, my mom would still read the Fa to me whenever she could, and I would listen quietly. Sometimes, we would recite “On Dafa” or poems from Hong Yin together.
I was able to read on my own after I started secondary school. When I attended a boarding school, Mom gave me a brand-new copy of Zhuan Falun. That book accompanied me throughout my time in boarding school, university, and even in my work after graduation.
Under compassionate Master’s protection, my life has been relatively smooth. I performed pretty well in my studies and showed a natural talent in broadcasting and program hosting. After graduating, I joined a media company and secured a respectable, well-paying job. I became a role model among my relatives and friends, showing them that having faith in Buddha can truly bring blessings and good fortune to one’s life.
To be honest, I was not truly diligent in my cultivation. During my school years, I was busy with academic studies, and I only studied the Fa when I had time. In the early days of my employment, work kept me extremely busy, and I would only occasionally remember to study the Fa after work. I often made excuses for my lack of diligence. Living in the ordinary world, the great dye vat of human society, I inevitably picked up some bad habits and gradually became less pure.
But compassionate Master was watching over me. At different stages of my life, especially when my cultivation was poor, I could always miraculously find practitioners in various cities. Through their help, I was able to reconnect with a local group, and with their support and encouragement, I stumbled and fumbled along the way, gradually making my way to where I am today.
Choosing to Stay in the United States to Fulfill My Wish of Assisting Master in Fa-Rectification
The summer of 2024 marked a turning point in both my life and my cultivation. Originally, I went to the United States for a holiday. However, after talking with some practitioners I had known before, I began to seriously examine my cultivation and reflect on whether I should stay in the US. If I were to remain, what were my intentions for doing so?
Deep down, a firm answer seemed to rise—Stay! But my mind was fraught with contradictions and inner struggles. For many days, I had been pondering what the right course of action was. My “true self” and my “attachments” began dueling.
I asked myself, “Who are you?”
“I am a Dafa disciple.”
What is your mission?
“To assist Master in rectifying the Fa and saving sentient beings.”
In the past few years, have you truly been happy in your ordinary job? Do you genuinely want to return to the vicious cycle of indulgences: eating, drinking, and wasting time?
“Not really.”
What are you afraid of if you stay? What would you lose?
“It means I would be consciously giving up my stable job in China, a good salary, and a comfortable, easy life. I would have to part from my family, live in a foreign country, and face the hardships of starting everything from scratch. Possibly, many heart-wrenching tribulations lie ahead of me.”
What would you gain by staying?
“Perhaps I could contribute my experience and skills to Dafa’s media. The overseas projects greatly need young people like me. In a peaceful environment, I could assist Master in saving people without fear.”
Most importantly, I feel I can catch up with the progress of Fa-rectification abroad, walk steadfastly on the path of a cultivator, cultivate myself well, and save more sentient beings.
Gradually, my mind cleared. As a cultivator, I was committed to following Master back to my true, original home. During this period, I focused on studying the Fa more and continually strengthened my righteous thoughts. I reminded myself to let go of attachments to fame, sentiment, and personal gain, be responsible for my own cultivation, and to fulfill my vows to assist Master in Fa-rectification. I resolved to resign from my job in China and live in the United States.
To handle everything properly, I spent days carefully drafting my resignation letter. I conveyed my sincerity and apologized, reassuring my supervisor that I would do my best to ensure a smooth handover of my duties, causing no trouble or loss to the company, and I hoped they would understand.
It was not easy to knowingly let go of all the effort and achievements of the past. There was some reluctance in my heart. But as a cultivator, I understood that what my life truly desires is Dafa.
Letting Go of Attachments While Working in the Media
My predestined connection with Sound of Hope must have been arranged by Master. The first time I truly understood Sound of Hope was during the pandemic, when I broke through the internet blockade to watch a documentary about its broadcasts (Seagull Radio) to China. The video moved me to tears. I thought to myself, “This is the kind of media I should be part of.” By a wonderful twist of fate, I eventually joined Sound of Hope.
During the early days in California, everything felt unfamiliar. Things that used to be easy for me suddenly became difficult. I often felt regret during that time, regret for coming here and even for deciding to stay.
As I expected, various tribulations and tests came one after another. The first to affect me was the attachment to personal interest. I’ve never been stingy with money, even as a child. I enjoyed treating others and sharing good food with friends. In my previous job, when I had some friction with colleagues over benefits, I could remain magnanimous, avoid competing, and even forgo certain advantages so others could have them. Therefore, I always thought my attachment to personal gain was minimal.
But when I was about to settle here, facing high living costs, expensive rent, getting a driver’s license, buying a car, and dealing with other expenses, I began to feel overwhelmed. Seeing how much I spent in U.S. dollars and the conversion rate to Chinese yuan, my heart began to ache. I felt frustrated and regretted moving to California. The investment I made seemed much greater than the returns I was getting.
Soon after, I faced another xinxing test involving a cell phone. My mobile was the latest iPhone 15 Pro that I brought from China. After resetting it, I was able to continue using it. However, for the project’s security, I ended up spending over $1,000 on a new U.S. version of the phone.
A few days later, I learned that another practitioner who had bought phone cards with me was able to get new phones at a lower cost by purchasing a phone plan. I was furious when I heard this and blamed the practitioner for not telling me sooner. I really wanted to walk away in a fit of anger.
After being tormented by this attachment for several days, I gradually calmed down and began looking inward. What kind of attachment caused me to feel so troubled? The most obvious was my attachment to personal gain. I felt pain because I had lost an opportunity that involved my interests. But hadn’t I always believed that my attachment to material gain was minor? How could money matters make me so angry and resentful?
First, in my previous job, I received a good salary at the end of each month, which provided a stable life without worries. But now, after leaving China, I no longer have a steady income. Second, since moving to California, I’ve been constantly spending my savings, while I have an uncertain future. The salary paid by the media was modest, and I worried that I might face financial difficulties later and have to live a constrained life.
So why did this attachment flare up so strongly after I moved to the United States? Thinking it over carefully, I realized it was because my external environment of comfort had completely disappeared once I arrived here. I used to think my attachment to personal interest wasn’t very strong. In reality, I could only let it go when I knew I wasn’t vulnerable to loss or when I felt safe. In other words, I was still within the bounds of selfishness and self-protection.
In the process of looking inward, I also discovered a strong attachment to jealousy. The feeling of resentment: Why can others have this or that, but I cannot? Wasn’t it just like what Master mentioned in Zhuan Falun aboutShen Gongbao’s jealousy toward Jiang Ziya? Behind all my resentment, jealousy was the main cause.
I also realized that I had an attachment of suspicion towards others. I thought that the practitioner must have known about the mobile plan, but deliberately chose not to tell me. Later, I discovered that it was actually a misunderstanding in communication. After finding these attachments, I rectified myself in the Fa. The pain and resentment seemed to dissolve instantly, and I once again felt light and happy.
While participating in a project, I discovered that I also exhibit elements of Party culture. For example, I tend to over-explain and beat around the bush when speaking. I like to impose definitions, push to extremes, force others to agree with my opinions, and demand that people meet my standards. Otherwise, I would feel upset.
When writing articles, I like to exaggerate, use emotional language, and conclude with a grand, elevated summary. My supervisor reminded me not to do these things, to simply describe facts truthfully, speak precisely, and stay grounded in reality. I’ve recognized my Party culture behavior, and will work to eliminate it in the future.
At my job in China, I was relatively low-key compared to my coworkers. However, after arriving in the United States, I found that my attachments to showing off and seeking validation had become very strong. I wanted to prove I was capable and competent, and I felt the need to show off whenever I did something good. I watched an interview with a Shen Yun dancer, who said: “All achievements come from the divine and return to the divine.” The words instantly woke me up. I finally understood that everything in my life, every ability I have, all come from Master and Dafa.
My attachment to comfort was the strongest of all, so strong that I didn’t notice it. Whenever things weren’t comfortable, I felt extremely uneasy. I felt my office was stuffy, with poor lighting and soundproofing—a stark contrast to the pleasant work environment I once had. I felt disappointed. I complained about the scorching California sun that left my skin dry and dehydrated. On cold days, I would shiver even under the duvet. My mind was restless and unsettled.
I understood that I must let go of the attachment to comfort, and I needed to face this issue to truly cultivate. Over the past year, I’ve pushed myself to take on all kinds of tasks I had never done before, forcing myself to persevere despite feeling discomfort.
By participating in Dafa projects and cooperating with the whole group, I gradually realized the connection between personal cultivation and Fa-rectification cultivation.
In personal cultivation, I sometimes choose to do or not do something based on my own state, understanding, or willingness. However, during Fa-rectification cultivation, I’ve realized that every single day Master has extended for us is meant for saving people from the old forces. Each day, countless sentient beings in the old universes are perishing, while at the same time, we are saving countless sentient beings from those very realms.
We are Dafa disciples who shoulder a sacred responsibility and mission. When it comes to saving people, there is no option; it is something we must do. Therefore, I demanded of myself that unless there are truly exceptional circumstances, I must unconditionally cooperate with the group and participate in activities that validate the Fa and clarify the truth to save people.
During my spare time, I sometimes go to tourist sites to hand out truth-clarification pamphlets. When I wear the yellow T-shirt with the words “Falun Dafa is good,” I am no longer just representing myself—I am a particle of Dafa. Every word and action is magnified and influences how people perceive and understand Dafa.
Because of this, when I participate in Dafa projects, I pay special attention to my appearance, speech, manners, and the way I interact with others. In the eyes of everyday people, we are the living embodiment of Dafa, the best reflection of Dafa. When we tell people that we follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, we must reflect them in our actions and conduct. Saying it but failing to act accordingly is not truly validating the Fa. Therefore, I believe that cultivating myself well also means safeguarding the Fa and cherishing Dafa’s reputation.
Conclusion
It has been a year since I arrived in the United States. Through participating in various truth-clarification and other projects, I’ve become more rational and mature. There has been friction among practitioners in these projects. When I encounter people or situations that are difficult to accept, I try my best to view them with kindness and understanding. I remind myself to focus on people’s good qualities, as every practitioner has endured countless hardships for the sake of cultivation. They are the best people in the world.
Regarding my cultivation, over this past year, I’ve made greater progress than when I was in China. In terms of sending righteous thoughts, studying the Fa, doing the exercises, and clarifying the truth to save people, I have achieved much more than before. In the past, I could barely sit in meditation for 40 minutes, but now I can sustain the full lotus position for an entire hour.
I know I must keep improving. Every step I take and every challenge I face is part of my cultivation, and carefully arranged by compassionate Master.
I feel truly fortunate that at the final stage of Fa-rectification, I joined a Dafa media project, and have genuinely acted like a Dafa disciple during Master’s Fa-rectification period, while assisting Master in saving sentient beings.
I’m very grateful to all the practitioners who have kindly helped me, those who pointed out my shortcomings, shared insights with me based on the Fa, and offered support along the way. I sincerely want to say—thank you.
My understanding is limited; there may be things that are not expressed appropriately. Please point them out with kindness.
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