(Minghui.org) Prolonged standing facing a wall is one of the most common methods used to force Falun Gong practitioners to renounce their faith. Many practitioners are made to stand motionless for 10 or more hours a day. This often leads to swollen legs, exhaustion, and even fainting. Unable to endure such prolonged abuse, some practitioners have been coerced into transforming, leaving painful regret in their cultivation journeys.

My experience with this torture, however, was different.

In 2017, when I was imprisoned for the second time for my belief in Falun Gong, I was ordered to stand facing the wall shortly after my arrival. However, I remembered Master Li’s teaching,

“No matter what the situation, do not cooperate with the evil’s demands, orders, or what it instigates.”(“Dafa Disciples’ Righteous Thoughts Are Powerful,” The Essentials of Diligent Progress II)

I firmly refused to comply. The inmate assigned to monitor and pressure practitioners was surprised, saying, “What did you say?”

I replied calmly and clearly, “I will not stand.”

Enraged, he went to strike me, but another inmate who had shared a cell with me during my previous imprisonment stopped him. I then said, “I know you are acting on orders from the guards. Please tell them that I want to speak directly with the officer in charge.”

While cursing, the inmate stormed off and soon returned. “They want you in the office, he said.”

When I entered, I saw the same officer who had supervised me during my first incarceration. Without emotion, he demanded, “Why aren’t you standing?”

I replied, “Tell me why I should.”

After a brief pause, he said, “We manage all Falun Gong practitioners this way.”

I said, “Article 14 of the Prison Law explicitly states: Prison officers are not permitted to physically punish inmates. I've just arrived here and haven't done anything wrong. Why am I being forced to stand, stare at a wall, and reflect? Besides, I'm innocent to begin with—I was abducted and brought here. Even if I did commit an offense, as you claim, this place is filled with people serving death sentences without reprieve and life imprisonment, yet none of them are forced to stand. Why are Falun Gong practitioners singled out?”

He didn’t answer, paced back and forth, then said, “No one has ever dared to speak to me like this.” I ignored him and focused on sending forth righteous thoughts. After a while, he said, “You can leave now.”

When I returned to the cell, the inmate told me that the officer had decided to exempt me from prolonged standing because of my age.

At that time, another practitioner, older than I, had endured over six months of standing. Yet he remained steadfast and didn’t give up his faith. He believed that enduring hardship could eliminate karma. I shared Master’s words with him:

“From my perspective, as your master, during the Fa-rectification, I absolutely don’t accept the using of this evil persecution to test Dafa disciples, and Dafa disciples shouldn’t have the wrong idea that they can cultivate higher by enduring persecution. Dafa and its disciples oppose the persecution, that is Dafa disciples’ duty. If you don’t cultivate yourself based on the Fa, you can’t cultivate higher by just enduring persecution, much less reach the standards for a Dafa disciple.”(“Fa Teaching Given at the 2004 Western U.S. Fa Conference,” Collected Teachings Given Around the World Volume V)

Master’s words inspired him. Later, he spoke directly with the guards, and his six-month ordeal of forced standing finally ended.

Later, I was transferred to a prison unit known for its harsh discipline. Four inmates monitored me around the clock. I realized that a favorable environment often stems from one’s righteous thinking and conduct. Rather than emotionally confronting these inmates, I treated them with compassion—caring about their daily lives, putting myself in their shoes, and building genuine rapport.

As a result, not only did they stop harassing me, but they also began helping me. For instance, one of the inmates passed me a handwritten copy of Zhuan Falun.

One night around 3 a.m., while I was reading under my blanket, a duty officer suddenly entered the cell and handcuffed and shackled me. Before the shift change, an inmate whispered, “You’re in serious trouble. The chief wants you to stand facing the wall.” I replied, “Tell him I absolutely refuse.”

The inmate kindly advised me, “Don’t be stubborn with him. Everyone here fears him. He often ties disobedient prisoners up with ropes, suspends them, and beats them mercilessly.”

I replied, “I came to this world for Dafa, and I will leave for Dafa. He can do whatever he wants.”

About 30 inmates were watching. Their eyes showed both concern and admiration. To be honest, my heart was pounding, as if preparing for a life-or-death ordeal.

Just then, an inmate rushed back and said, “You’re fortunate. The senior officer just arrived. He said you’re too old to stand.”

What seemed like a dangerous persecution was dissolved by my righteous thoughts and actions.

My gratitude goes to our compassionate and magnificent Master.