(Minghui.org) Shortly after I began practicing Falun Dafa my daughter joined me. However, she faced many tribulations before she truly began practicing. She has become a diligent practitioner and now we work together to improve our xinxing as we cultivate side by side.
A practitioner introduced me to Falun Dafa in 1997. I was too obsessed with the pleasures of life to find out what it was really about. In February 1999, after experiencing some painful events, I realized that the real purpose of life was not to seek short-lived enjoyment but to return to my true nature. I decided to begin practicing Falun Dafa.
The persecution started in July 1999. Without a solid foundation in Fa study I didn’t understand the significance of clarifying the truth to people about the persecution. I did it grandly and purposefully, like I would with any ordinary task. The old forces seized on my loophole and I was arrested. I was sent to forced labor camps and endured brainwashing sessions. I lost my job and my family started falling apart.However, I wasn’t depressed. Through continued Fa study, I pulled myself together. Reflecting on my cultivation journey I knew I hadn’t cultivated solidly. I fell short in Fa study and searching within. I resolved to catch up and strive forward.
My daughter was born in 2001. After giving birth to her via cesarean section, I hemorrhaged and was on the verge of bleeding to death. Master saved my life. To everyone’s surprise I was able to get out of bed and walk the next day. Even the doctors said that I was blessed by Master’s compassionate grace.
During my pregnancy I persisted in going out to clarify the facts about Dafa to people and distributing Dafa informational materials. When my daughter was four months old I carried her on my back and distributed Dafa flyers every night. She was well-behaved and did not cry or make any noise, even in dark alleys.
As soon as she started speaking, I taught her to sing Dafa songs and recite Master Li’s poems. I read the book Zhuan Falun to her and explained the meaning of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. She learned that, “... one should not fight back when being punched or insulted ...” (Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun). When a younger girl slammed her head against the wall, she didn’t fight back, or feel sad, but continued being friends with her.
However, she endured a terrifying experience due to the persecution. When she was only nine months old, the police broke into our home shortly after midnight and took me away, leaving her alone. To pressure me into renouncing Dafa, one police officer claimed that my daughter was crying and covered in urine and feces. I didn’t give in to their demands.Another time, I was taken to a brainwashing class and later sentenced to 14 months of forced labor. My daughter who was just over two years old, had to live with a stranger who was a member of the residential committee. She was traumatized. Her social skills were affected and she was timid and fearful.
Because I was repeatedly arrested my daughter witnessed the police breaking into our home, ransacking it, and arresting me. We also endured long-term harassment and threats from various government agencies. She lived in a constant state of stress and was unable to sleep. Her faith in Dafa diminished.
As she grew older she became rebellious and easily irritated. It was hard for me to communicate with her. Like many young people, she was obsessed with her cellphone and went out drinking with her classmates. Her academic performance dropped sharply. I felt guilty that my persecution experiences, which I felt were due to my loopholes in cultivation, caused her to drift away from Dafa.
During the COVID pandemic I dreamed that I held one of my daughter’s hands tightly as she was about to fall into a bottomless abyss. I used all my strength but I couldn’t pull her up. She wanted me to let her go, but I refused. I shouted for a practitioner to come and help me and my daughter was pulled out of the chasm, even though the practitioner didn’t come. I truly felt Master’s compassion.
When I told her about the dream she acknowledged that she was on a perilous path. In 2020, she decided to return to cultivation.
The weight on my heart over the past years lifted after she resumed cultivation. Fa study became the foremost thing in her life. No matter how busy she was, she found time to study the Fa and dedicated all of her free time to cultivation. During her exam days, she slept late every day. I worried about her and suggested that she do her school work first, but she still insisted on studying the Fa first. Her excellent cultivation state inspired me to improve my Fa study and to cultivate more diligently.
Nevertheless, we occasionally had conflicts, which we cultivated through and elevated our xinxing. She had an attachment to cleanliness and washed her hands frequently. I pointed this out to her, but she ignored me. I once lost my temper with her on this matter but I later regretted it. I looked inward and discovered that I had an attachment to personal interest. Her frequent hand washing resulted in higher water bills. I didn’t help her from the perspective of the Fa. After I let go of my attachment she began to change.
She also kept an eye on how well I did the three things. She pointed out the things I did that were not in accordance with the Fa. I didn’t like it at first because I felt she didn’t respect me as her mother and that as a beginner in cultivation she thought too highly of herself. I didn’t openly rebuke her. However, after I calmed down and looked within, I realized that I held myself in high regard and was unwilling to hear about my shortcomings. By asserting that I was her mother, I clearly had sentimental feelings about our mother-daughter relationship.
This summer, she suddenly said, “If one day Master suddenly calls you to go home with him, you must do so. Don’t let me keep you here and cause your cultivation to fail.” I wondered why she suddenly said this, but later it dawned on me that she was reminding me to let go of my sentimental attachment to her.
She consistently pointed out my attachments whenever she saw them, such as my obsession with personal interest, competitiveness, jealousy, resentment, lust, and ego. She propelled me forward by showing me my cultivation state. I am grateful to Master for arranging for her to be by my side and motivating me to cultivate more diligently and manage my time better so I can do the three things.
Every day, I follow a routine. In the morning, I go out to talk to people about Falun Dafa. I always walk to increase my chances of meeting people. Sometimes, I walk several miles from home. In the afternoon, I study the Fa by reading two lectures in Zhuan Falun. If I have extra time, I also read Master’s other teachings. Besides sending righteous thoughts at the four global times, I added an additional time in the morning, afternoon, and evening. When other practitioners experienced sickness karma and needed help, I found time to study the Fa and share cultivation experiences with them.
After consistently following this routine I matured greatly in cultivation and feel pleased with my improvement. The numerous miraculous things that happen when clarifying the truth to others have also brought me great joy. I know that all of these are blessings from Master’s protection.
We repeatedly read Master’s two new articles. My daughter couldn’t help crying when she recalled her difficult times in the past. We also understand the hardships that the practitioners in Shen Yun face and want to stand alongside them to resist the persecution.
By encouraging and helping each other, my daughter and I experienced sadness and hardships along with happiness. We feel fortunate to walk the cultivation path Master arranged and will treasure this opportunity to fulfill our historic missions.